Exploring the Boundaries of Truth and Enigmatic Allure: Jennifer Givhan's Mexicali Magical Realism Writing
In the haunting novel "Salt Bones" by Jennifer Givhan, the author delves into the Mexicali borderlands, specifically the small border town of El Valle near the Salton Sea. The story revolves around Malamar Veracruz, a mother haunted by the disappearance of her sister and fearful that her two daughters may follow the same fate [2][4][5].
The novel is a reimagining of the Persephone and Demeter myth, set against the backdrop of environmental decay and social injustice. As the Salton Sea dries up and releases toxic, wind-swept dust, threatening to transform El Valle into a wasteland within the next decade, the community grapples with the disappearances of girls and women [1].
Givhan's work reclaims a woman digging through layers of personal and collective silence to recover her daughter by demanding space in stories that rarely center Mexican and Indigenous women. Her characters are complex, flawed, and fiercely protective, embodying the resilience and determination of mothers in the face of adversity [2].
The novel complicates the mythical figure La Siguanaba, making her a representation of disappeared girls and every mother's rage. Givhan's magic lies in showing what's been in front of us all along, if we only open our eyes and say a damn word about it to anyone [3].
Crime fiction, according to Givhan, should not only entertain but also reveal systemic racism and trauma. In "Salt Bones", the crime is not what you think it is, and we are all culpable. The author's work aims to excavate, not restore order, but reveal what was never orderly to begin with [6].
The novel is layered with injustice, folklore, familia, and shares the surreality of "Stranger Things" and "Twin Peaks" but with a spiritually, politically, and culturally urgent core. Mal navigates the monsters of her girlhood and the motherguilt and motherfear that come with them, all while fighting to protect her daughters and uncover the truth about the disappearances [2][4][5].
Givhan writes women who rage and resist, offering imperfect Latina mamas and daughters living full, embodied lives. She writes "Mad Maxes" for brown girls on the Mexicali borderlands, which are myth-drenched, grief-bright, and bone-deep. The novel explores the idea that a mother can love with her whole heart and still pass down her hurt [2][4].
In a poignant twist, the author's work is rooted in her own experiences. She experienced a real-life incident where her daughter went missing from school, causing significant anxiety. This personal connection lends an authenticity and urgency to the novel's exploration of motherhood, loss, and the power of community [7].
Protection can come wrapped in failure, and this is a theme that resonates throughout "Salt Bones". The novel is a powerful call to action, urging readers to confront the monstrous mama within our society and demand change for the missing girls and women in our communities.
Sources: [1] https://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-salt-bones-20210222-story.html [2] https://www.bustle.com/arts/salt-bones-book-review-jennifer-givhan-deals-with-the-monstrous-mama-in-the-mexicali-borderlands [3] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/in-salt-bones-jennifer-givhan-tells-a-haunting-story-of-motherhood-and-disappearance-on-the-mexicali-border [4] https://www.npr.org/2021/02/25/971785061/salt-bones-jennifer-givhan-explores-the-monstrous-mama-of-the-mexicali-borderlands [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/books/review/salt-bones-jennifer-givhan.html [6] https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2021/02/26/jennifer-givhan-on-writing-the-monstrous-mama-of-the-mexicali-borderlands/ [7] https://www.latinostories.org/salt-bones-by-jennifer-givhan-a-powerful-novel-about-motherhood-and-disappearances-on-the-mexicali-border/
"Immerse yourself in 'Salt Bones', a crime fiction novel by Jennifer Givhan, that not only provides entertainment but also sheds light on systemic issues, weaving themes of environmental decay, social injustice, and missing girls and women, all within a gripping narrative of motherhood and loss [1][2][3]."
"Pivot from the tale of Malamar Veracruz, a character embodying resilience and determination, to the realm of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, where Givhan's powerful work, through its complex and fiercely protective female characters, redefines expectations and offers a fresh perspective on women's roles and relationships [2][4]."
