So … I wrote a book. But don’t worry, I’ll try to keep things normal and include a book review in this issue.
I do want to get at two things about “Elior,” though: The theme.
Elior’s story is about change. And although it’s a YA book, it doesn’t deal with the coming-of-age type of change, more of an ongoing change.
Every time I go back home to the island it elicits some introspection of the person I was while I was living there and the person I am now. Those are two different people every time. At first, it was jarring for me. Having to reconcile who I thought I was and how my actions away from this place did not align with that perception.
From my own journey with mindfulness, I learned that the only constant in this world is change. And that’s a cliché sort of life lesson, but it’s one of those that you don’t understand until you’re ready to understand it. So I thought it would be interesting to explore not only the feeling of confronting change but also how you get from A to B.
It’s a lesson that I have had to remind myself now that I have a physical copy of the book and it’s “real,” because every time I open it I want to rewrite everything. But I know that it reflected a specific moment of time and I have to remind myself that growth is inevitable and that being proud of the work I do now does not impede being proud of the work I did before.
That being said, Elior is not based on me, don’t worry. Truth be told, I don’t find him all that likable — but that’s OK, Alex and Tenneh are wonderful.
So if you are kind enough to read it, I would really love it if you could leave an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads, or email me.
In this issue we discuss:
Gustave Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary”
Joshuan Rivera Jiménez’s “Elior: Prince of Fae”
Chapter 1 of “Elior”
Resource: Having trouble organizing your story on MS Word or Google Docs? I am. And while I haven’t tried Scrivener myself, it was recommended to me by another writer. Maybe it’ll help with the copious Post-Its and notes I keep while writing.
‘Madame Bovary’: She was the blueprint for The Real Housewives
I honestly laughed out loud at the line: “She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris.” It encapsulated Emma perfectly. Someone who’s unhappy (more like bored) with their life looking to fill in the gaps with whims and extravagancies.
It’s always fascinating to jump into someone’s world so different from your own that you gain a new understanding and empathy going forward. And who isn’t curious about French provincial life in the Nineteenth Century?
Emma Bovary’s archetype of the mischievous bored housewife still resonates today. Although a few hundred years apart, the “Real Housewives” reality TV series continues showing the banality of suburbanites and those who are well off. But where Real Housewives differentiates itself from “Madame Bovary” is where the book lacks: compassion.
Unlike the book, the TV show also shows the struggles of a housewife from their perspective, something we don’t get for Emma. She is written as spoiled and irrational at times. We can infer that she has some unresolved issues and maybe some mental health issues, but that’s from a reader in the Twenty-first Century trying to fill in the blanks and giving the same grace to Emma that was afforded to the male characters.
I admittedly came late to this book, but it was a reminder that classics are classics for a reason, and that as much as things change in the world, most of it stays the same.
“Everything, even herself, was now unbearable to her. She wished that, taking wing like a bird, she could fly somewhere, far away to regions of purity, and there grow young again.”
Should I skip it? Probs. But the writing is actually pretty funny and it’s a short read.
Fun fact: “Madame Bovary” has been turned into a movie a few times before and the most recent version chose to adapt it as a “star-crossed lovers” situation, which is honestly the campiest thing.
‘Elior: Prince of Fae’: ‘Beautifully’ created characters
Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite
In Elior: Prince of Fae by Joshuan Rivera Jiménez, Elior of Lempara, crown prince of fae folk, awakes in the human realm of Brooklyn dressed as a human but not knowing how he arrived there. Elior must find his way back to the portal so he can return to Lempara. Unfortunately, he cannot remember where the portal is. He meets a changeling called Alex and she agrees to help him return home. However, they soon find themselves being pursued by three bounty hunters who want Elior to open the portal and allow them into Lempura to create chaos. Once Elior finds a means of escape from the human realm, he remembers some shocking truths about his family and past. Elior has discovered many truths about himself and he realizes he now has difficult choices to make about his future. He must confront those who have wronged him and decide whether to claim his right to the throne or abandon Lempura and remain with the friends who have helped him.
The action and adventure are continuous throughout Elior: Prince of Fae by Joshuan Rivera Jiménez. I found the obstacles Elior had to overcome brought great tension and excitement to the story. The characters are beautifully created and their personalities are totally unique. I especially loved the changeling characters as they had so many layers to their personalities. My favorite changeling was Alex; her personality was fantastic and her wit and fearlessness were amazing. I loved the dialogue exchanges that were authentic and, at times, hilarious. I also thought the relationships between the characters were developed beautifully, in particular, Tenneh and Elior; theirs was a true love/hate friendship. I felt the inclusion of social issues such as the environment and animal welfare was superb and really relevant for today's readers. There were some important life lessons scattered throughout too, especially how we all have the power to choose our actions. This was especially highlighted by Tenneh when she said, “There was a life you led, and there is a life you created for yourself. It’s up to you to decide who you want to be going forward. No one person or circumstance can make that choice for you.” This was such a powerful and thought-provoking statement and a great piece of advice for the children reading this book. A highly compelling read and one that I would recommend.
Story time 📚: Chapter 1 to ‘Elior: Prince of Fae’
Awakening
I wake up on the ground. Some kids in the park think I’m dead, so they come over to marvel at the dead guy with pink hair. The sun is disorienting, the heat is unbearable, and the smell is nauseating. Only one thing is certain—I’m in the human realm.
Think back. Think back. All I remember before waking up is seeing my dad pointing at me with his staff and everything transitioning from blinding light to darkness.
This is ridiculous. I’m alone in the human realm with a nagging feeling that I’m supposed to be with someone right now. My heart starts to beat faster and faster, and I catch myself breathing through my mouth, almost panting. No, I can’t do this now.
Balance yourself, Elior. Assess yourself and your surroundings.
I’m relatively well, aside from a massive headache. I don’t really remember why I’m wearing human attire, complete with blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and sneakers—something doesn’t feel right.
Human children are around. My heart drops. My hands frantically reach for my back and shoulders. I’m unsure if the shock from the fright has debilitated my sense of touch. Are my wings showing?
Looking over my shoulder, I don’t see them, but I feel them wrapped around my back and shoulders. I run my left hand over my right shoulder, slowly this time.
There you are, my friends.
This realm feels unconventionally warm. From my times here before, I remember the air feeling heavy or smelling of metal. Yet this time there’s a tinge of decay assaulting my senses. Had my eyes been closed, I would’ve sworn I was walking through a wasteland.
I keep going back to that image of my dad, blasting me with light. Someone was behind me, but I can’t remember why I was located between the two.
The human children keep staring. I muster my last bit of energy and say, “I am going to eat you up.” I’m trying to sound playful, but it comes out groggy. The kids run back to the group of young parents sitting by the benches with their beverages. It’s early morning. They stare back with the same confused expression I’m probably retaliating with. This is all making me feel afraid. I should just go home and figure out how I got here in the first place. I just need to cross the portal.
Um … Where is the portal?
I swear on the sun and the moon that I don’t remember where it is.
Why can’t I remember? How am I going to get home? Shit, shit, shit. I’m really stuck here.
I should stay put. I’m sure my father will send guards or a rescue team for me. I only hope they’re able to find me in this polluted realm. Portals are usually secluded, and I can see the surrounding streets from any point of this park. My heart palpitations rise again. Better find a more appropriate place for a portal.
Human currency is one of the most annoying aspects of this realm: that and their disregard for nature. Hopefully, I can find a fruit trader who will show me kindness.
There seems to be a market located by the park’s entrance. Perfect.
As I approach the market, I see a few fruit handlers.
“What is that, sir? Is that garment made of animal skin?” I ask the older gentleman behind a foldable table. His slim frame and white hair give his age range but not a pinpoint. It’s hard to tell with humans. Their life spans are so much shorter than ours. The man’s earnest smile and genuine excitement to be talking to someone gives me hope that the answer to my question is an unequivocal no.
“Yes, sir! Only the finest leather materials for my vests,” he says cheerily. I almost feel bad for this human. It’s as if he doesn’t know any better. But then again, that’s their self-serving nature—killing others and destroying things for their pleasure and gain.
“You, sir, are a disgrace. How dare you try to benefit from the macabre?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You killed a living being, skinned it, and now intend to trade its skin as if it were something that belonged to you to trade. That is disgraceful.”
“You’re with PETA, aren’t you? I knew coming to Brooklyn that I would risk running into you hipster social warriors. But I wasn’t expecting it would be the first person to talk to me.”
Brooklyn. That’s near New York City. A portal is there, that much I remember.
“I … um. Thank you? You seem like a nice gentleman, but you should reconsider your livelihood and your concept of life and respect.”
I race out of the market area and out of the park altogether, then follow the sidewalk in search of a post. I find Weirfield Street and Wilson Avenue.
None of the posts point to New York. I’m going to need assistance if I’m going to get to the portal any time soon.
“I am Elior of Lempara, crown prince of fae folk, and I will return to my rightful realm,” I whisper to myself in hopes of calming my nerves by setting a goal. “But first, I need some food.”
Before you go …
This is *gestures widely* our newsletter. If you wrote a short story and would like for it to be featured, please email me at joshuanriverajimenez@gmail.com to be considered.
I only ask that it’s compelling fiction. Big plus if it includes POC and/or LGBTQ characters or issues. I request no exclusivity and it doesn’t have to be recent.