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The short stories of Fray Angelico Chavez
Fray Angélico Chávez (1910-1996) was one of New Mexico's leading men of letters, and this anthology is the first collection of his fiction to be published since 1957. These stories, dismissed in the past as quaint and charming, actually represent the same serious cultural and socio-historical concerns that marked Chávez's more recent nonfiction. Although largely social allegories, they are also humorous evocations of life in New Mexico from colonial days to more recent times. Mystery and miracle, the wisdom of age and the impetuosity of youth, and the conflict of cultures that has marked life in New Mexico from the beginnings are the themes of these stories, which read, in many cases, like Hispano cuentos or Biblical parables. This book will delight readers new to Fray Angélico's fiction as well as those who are rediscovering him after many years."These 14 stories . . . skillfully evoke the contours of a complex local society . . . and disclose a vein of the Hispanic-American experience too little known by Anglos."-- New York Times Book Review
- GenresShort Stories
139 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Angélico Chávez
76 books3 followersFray Angélico Chávez (1910-1996) was an American Franciscan Priest, historian, author, poet and painter. Born the first of 10 children he attended public schools in Mora. At the age of 14, Chávez was admitted to St. Francis Seminary in Ohio.
While at the seminary, Chávez endeavored to improve his English (his second language) through a study of the classic literature of the language. He began writing fiction, essays, and other works at this time, several of which were published in the Brown and White, the student magazine he later edited.
In 1929, he officially became a novice and received the order's habit. Due to his promise as a visual artist, was given the religious name Frater Angélico after the Florentine painter Fra Angelico. He continued his studies in Detroit, graduating in 1933. He studied for four more years before being ordained at Saint Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe, the first native New Mexican Franciscan.
He was assigned to the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Peña Blanca and its missions in Jémez Pueblo and Los Cerrillos.
After a career in the military during WWII and through the Korean War, Chávez was appointed archivist of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and undertook the cataloguing and translation of its Spanish archives. This work provided new primary sources that allowed for a reevaluation of the history of New Mexico. He wrote the definitive work on the families of New Mexico, as well as many other works of history, some of which is considered revisionist.
He also wrote poetry, short stories and novels, including his 1974 book “My Penitente Land: Reflections on Spanish New Mexico.” Since his fictional works center on the history and culture of the Hispanic people of New Mexico, he is sometimes regarded as "the father of Chicano literature".
While at the seminary, Chávez endeavored to improve his English (his second language) through a study of the classic literature of the language. He began writing fiction, essays, and other works at this time, several of which were published in the Brown and White, the student magazine he later edited.
In 1929, he officially became a novice and received the order's habit. Due to his promise as a visual artist, was given the religious name Frater Angélico after the Florentine painter Fra Angelico. He continued his studies in Detroit, graduating in 1933. He studied for four more years before being ordained at Saint Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe, the first native New Mexican Franciscan.
He was assigned to the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Peña Blanca and its missions in Jémez Pueblo and Los Cerrillos.
After a career in the military during WWII and through the Korean War, Chávez was appointed archivist of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and undertook the cataloguing and translation of its Spanish archives. This work provided new primary sources that allowed for a reevaluation of the history of New Mexico. He wrote the definitive work on the families of New Mexico, as well as many other works of history, some of which is considered revisionist.
He also wrote poetry, short stories and novels, including his 1974 book “My Penitente Land: Reflections on Spanish New Mexico.” Since his fictional works center on the history and culture of the Hispanic people of New Mexico, he is sometimes regarded as "the father of Chicano literature".
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August 7, 2014
The writing is a bit dense, but you have to really consider the some of the social commentary he's making. Some of these have an anti-colonial tone, based on the way that he portrays the Spanish or French military and aristocratic characters. Generally interesting stories that mix some magic and religion, or possibly religious miracles.
Displaying 1 of 1 review