Throw

by Ruben Degollado

“Llorona was no harmless little pigeon. She was the lechuza, the owl you see just before someone is about to die, the one that haunts you in your dreams and you never want to see in real life because it means you are about to lose someone you love.”

Llorona is the only girl Güero has ever loved. A wounded soul, she has adopted the name of a ghost from Mexican folklore. True to her namesake, Llorona cast Güero away with the coldness of the apparition she has become. But Güero—though he would never admit it to his friends—still wants to get back together with her.

Güero spends time with his friends Ángel and Smiley—members of the HCP (Hispanics Causing Panic) gang—roaming the streets of the South Texas border towns they inhabit, trying to forget Llorona even as she seems to appear around every corner.

Over three days Güero’s increasingly violent confrontations with Llorona’s current boyfriend will jeopardize the lives of Ángel and Smiley and the love he hopes to regain.

As events begin to accelerate toward their conclusion—and gang signs are thrown as both threats and claims of identity—the question arises: will Güero throw the HCP sign, or will he throw off that life? Güero’s life will be irrevocably changed by violence and loss, but who will he lose, and will he—somewhere along the way—lose himself?

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Latinx

174 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2019

About the author

Rubén Degollado was born in Indiana, but is from McAllen, Texas, where the majority of his family has lived for generations. His fiction has appeared in Bilingual Review/Revista Bilingüe, Beloit Fiction Journal, Gulf Coast, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Image, Relief, and the anthologies Texas Short Stories, Fantasmas and Bearing the Mystery. He has been a finalist in American Short Fiction’s annual contest, Glimmer Train’s Family Matters Contest, and Bellingham Review’s 2010 Tobias Wolff Award and has been Image journal's Artist of the Month. His first novel, THROW, is forthcoming from Slant Books.

Reviews

[Natalia Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early copy of this novel and was happy to provide a blurb for it. "Throw completely transported me back to the 1990s Rio Grande Valley and the critical turning points in a teenager's life. In his unforgettable protagonist, Güero, Rubén Degollado beautifully depicts the many-layered beings we all are: vulnerable and tender-hearted beneath a hard exterior as we navigate a word of love, family and friendships—all in hopes of finding a place to belong."

[Raul M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt privileged to get a hold of an advance copy of this young-adult novel, and I relished how the story left me feeling as if I had traveled in a time machine -- I recognized, within the story, two defunct landmarks from the area of southernmost Texas where I grew up. The teen hero's fictional city had a name that, at first, sounded a bit too "Anglo" for my region of southernmost Texas, until it dawned on me that the real-life neighboring cities mentioned in the novel have Anglo names that I've long taken for granted.

There is some tragic foreshadowing, but also an endearing exploration of both bonds and dysfunction among Mexican-American families. The 10th-grade narrator (nicknamed Güero) described the ways that either city-centric gangs or affluent "preps" influenced and impacted him and his peers. He spoke of his friends, notably two brothers; and his interactions with girls, particularly his lingering ex who's nicknamed "Llorona," her demeanor aptly reflecting her namesake (the borderlands legend).

My favorite character was Benny, an "old-school cholo" who converted to evangelical Christianity while in prison, and later ran the local corner store. The text's Colloquial Spanish was at times translated; that which wasn't, I could understand from the context (and from my own upbringing). In the advance copy that I read, I found one paragraph in need of being further proofread, but my hope is that it will be corrected in the final release. That aside, this turned out to be a bittersweet, believable, and enjoyable read.

[Stephanie Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making every effort not to include spoilers.

As someone who grew up in the 90’s this book is full of nostalgia. As a Hispanic who was born and raised in the Valley this book speaks to the truth of my childhood. We all know Guero, Llorona, Ángel and Smiley. Their story is ours. It’s a story we lived or watched as it played out. As an adult now with children of my own born and being raised in the Valley I can see the timeless story of teen angst and suffering, and I am glad for the message of hope that Throw provides in the midst of so much darkness.

This is a great read and one I recommend highly.

[Tiffany Heitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book won’t be for everyone but I’m really glad I picked it up at TBF after hearing the author talk.

[s · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love to read books that are based around/in the Valley and am glad I picked this one up.

[Rosario Martínez · Rating 5 out of 5]

THROW is one of those rare books that bring your past into the pages of a book.

It begins with Güero who's real name is Cirilo, a smart young man who has some pretty good things going for him. He lives in a better part of town close to McAllen, Texas and for some time even went to a really nice school. Güero has been in love with Karina who is also known as La Llorona, for so long he no longer remembers a time he didn't. First love--first heartbreak. But, his friends Smiley and Angel take him under their wing and are hopeful he will one day with their help move forward and forget about her. They are also confident he will join the gang they may or not be a part of.

Degollado brings Karina's character of La Llorona to life long before we see her on the page. Her presence is there all along at every turn haunting Güero and the reader alike as we learn more about her. I really liked how it appears like she's there even when she's not technically on the page.

It will break your heart and remind you of the loves you had growing up. How easy you let them go, how they changed your life and how from time to time you think of them. Each character is so relatable, so fully brought to life, from the way that they laugh to their clothes and mannerisms. There are several laugh out loud moments among friends. Other parts that at least for me hit too close to home. I haven't read a book in a while that did that. A book that felt like real life. Personally, I was thrilled to receive this book and read it. Ruben Degollado's debut is a classic. There are stories whose characters flow off the page and have you thinking 'wait don't I know you?' and this is one of them for me.

This book is a glimpse into the lives of Mexican-American teens living on the edge of two worlds: American life and Mexican. Through Cirilo, we see the complexities of both, the beauty within the struggle and the love that springs from the result.

I thoroughly recommend this book ten times over. I cannot wait to read more from Ruben.

[Anh Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! I worked in the Valley for a time and of course living in TX, I have met and befriended lots of people from the Valley. I think this book does two things exceptionally well: describes teen life in the Valley well and develops the main characters well.

Cirilo, or Guerro as he is known to his friends, narrates the summer between his sophomore and junior years, the summer that would change his life forever. He is dealing with a recent break-up with the girl he has been dating on and off for the last 4 years, a girl that the kids all call Llorona, and he is also flirting with gang life, as his best friends are members of the gang HCP. He himself is not a member of the gang by his choice, but as best friends of prominent gang members Angel and Smiley, he is involved in gang related things.

There is a lot going on that summer, with Llorona starting to hang out with a member of a rival gang, Guerro trying not to care, Angel and Smiley and their typically harmless hanging around their hometown of Dennett, TX, and doing silly things teens do. Things start to get more and more complicated, as one thing leads to another, Llorona messing around with Guerro’s heart, the rival gangs interacting with each other, and Guerro learning about who he is and who he can become.

This is a coming of age book, very well done, with characters that become endearing and very real.

Really enjoyed how the author handled religion and spirituality as well.
Very good read, 4/5.

[Mari’s Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This coming of age novel follows the story of Cirilo (nicknamed Güero) the summer after his sophomore year. The story takes place in the Valley of Texas, and Ruben gives a glimpse of Mexican American life in the Valley during the 90’s. ⁣
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When the author described Sunday afternoon at the car show, I was immediately transported to a view of low riders and tricked out cars. I could almost hear the oldies and funk playing. 🎶🎵 Ruben Degollado does a good job describing the scenery and environment of simple days in The Valley. ⁣
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Güero has always been exposed to the gang life. His father was a former veterano, his two best friends are part of the HCP gang, and his ex girlfriend now dating the rival gang. However, he himself is not officially in the gang. The love Güero has for his ex girlfriend Karina (nicknamed La Llorona) keeps on haunting him. Karina’s dressing style is described as the typical cholas 90’s look. She wears dark brown lipstick, baggy pants, loads of hairspray, and hair bangs. A style, that in my opinion, was as a reflection of the era to intimidate society, a form of Latina revolution. ⁣
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I liked the way the characters were easy to connect with. The book definitely gives a feel of Mexican American and Chicano style of the 90’s. From the description in the dressing style, to language and words used, Ruben Degollado depicts a pretty good picture of what most of us saw growing up in our communities.⁣
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Güero’s story is one of many young kids who struggle to find themselves, while experiencing life’s tough choices. Throw is a pretty fast read. I finished it in only one day.

[Ellen Stumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read about how storytelling is influenced by our cultures, and how allowing for the richness of those cultures to influence HOW we tell those stories is what makes them feel authentic. Degollado’s story IS authentic, making him a much needed voice. The main character, Cirilo (“Güero”) is the teenager you are likely to find at the Rio Grande Valley. His friendships are true to the place and realities of being in a gang (and how gang rivalries escalate), even his girlfriend, with the superstitions of the culture, make this story feel true. I won’t be surprised if Degollado becomes a leading Latinx voice.

[V. Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruben transported me back to my youth. As a Texas native living in the UK, I often feel a sadness being so far away from the things that made me who I am today. Reading this book and Ruben's words were not only a comfort, but the story is great. The writing is spot on with the language used back in the day and describing mall life in the 90's. The need for family and friends cut straight through me as did the relationships between the girls as I have been the homegirl and I have also been the wimp they beat on. I loved this book and hope you will support this fantastic Latinx voice.

[Christina Montoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

THROW, is a worthwhile read! This coming of age tale is a story of childhood innocence; you will be transported into the lives of a multitude of curious and bold characters. In their world, they’ll experience love, friendship, heartache and redemption. The story is very realistic; I loved the cultural references the authors makes to small towns around Texas, and Latino families that dwell within. I enjoyed the entire storyline-especially the positive ending for the main character. This is a well-written book that kept my attention!

[Sarah Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for bilingual/Spanish-speaking teens! This book is set in south Texas. Ruben Degollado writes from a great perspective of a young man and his views of language, identity, school, relationships, friendships, authenticity, and life itself.

Biggest takeaway for me- how teachers and the mistakes we make can affect our students. It is so important to make the classroom safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all!

[Carolyn 316 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because it's about a place and culture unfamiliar to me. The story is very interesting though I sometimes felt a little lost due to not understanding some of the language and cultural references. Relating to the main character took awhile for me - the author sort of pulled me into it. The main thread that weaves throughout the book is our need for hope, something I think we can all relate to.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting new voice that flawlessly captures life in the Río Grande Valley back when we were more culturally isolated, right before the big Internet explosion. I saw myself, my cousins and my friends in Güero and his own crew, and many a valluca chingona echoes in the complex character of la Llorona. Essential reading for those wanting to understand South Texas culture.

[Lori Atwood Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It took me back in time, growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, so many landmarks I recall as a teenager. The characters and turn of events will bewitch you, and leave you wanting to read more from Ruben Degollado!

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked most about this book was the history of growing up Hispanic in the Rio Grande Valley. While I could not relate personally to some of the plot, it was recognizable as was the language. Toward the end of the book you felt the connection of family and its importance in our culture.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, thought-provoking book.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It was fun when needed to be fun, and thoughtful when the scene required it. There's a little overexposure in my opinion, but it's needed for readers who had no idea of Mexican culture.

[Tara - tarareads517 on Storygraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one reminded me a bit of The Outsiders by SE Hinton.

[Angelina Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like a lot of people enjoyed this book because of the nostalgia it evoked. Having not grown up in this part of the country during the 90s, I found it difficult to relate to all of the events and characters. Plus, I couldn’t always understand the Spanish without the English translations. While the author did a great job explaining a lot of cultural norms, I felt like something was missing. The plot seemed to fall flat. The author tended to tell, not show, the reasoning for the characters’ actions which made it difficult to fully get inside the heads of the characters. On a positive note, I enjoyed the book’s connection to Romeo and Juliet and the idea of fate versus free will.