All Forms of Art

Laura Esquivel ’s Malinche is a fascinating historical novel that offers a raw and immersive look into the European colonization of the Americas. Through the eyes of Malinalli (better known as Malinche), the Indigenous woman who became Hernán Cortés’ interpreter and advisor, the novel explores themes of love, betrayal, power, and survival. A Different Perspective on Colonization Unlike many historical narratives that focus on European conquerors, Malinche shifts the perspective to the Indigenous peoples of present-day Mexico. Esquivel portrays the arrival of the Spanish not just as an act of conquest but as a profound cultural collision.  This approach provides a more nuanced and often unsettling view of history, making the novel both compelling and thought-provoking. A Story of Love, Sacrifice, and Power At its core, Malinche is a tale of complex emotions. It intertwines love and devotion with ambition and betrayal.  Malinalli’s relationship with Cortés is depi...

Dorothy Koomson’s Marshmallows for Breakfast is, like most of her novels, a deeply emotional and heartfelt story that explores human relationships, trauma, and the power of love in its many forms. With a compelling blend of drama and sentimentality, Koomson weaves a narrative that is both touching and thought-provoking. A New Beginning  The story follows Kendra, a woman trying to escape a painful past, as she moves into a new home and unexpectedly becomes involved in the lives of her landlord's young twins, Summer and Jaxon.  These two children, despite their own struggles, have an incredible ability to bring warmth and hope into the lives of the adults around them. As Kendra becomes more entangled in their world, her own past begins to resurface, forcing her to confront the wounds she has tried so hard to bury. Emotionally Complex Characters One of the standout elements of Marshmallows for Breakfast is Koomson’s ability to create realistic, emotionally complex char...