Monsters and Saints: LatIndigenous Landscapes and Spectral Storytelling

Monsters and Saints: LatIndigenous Landscapes and Spectral Storytelling explores the contemporary intersection of Latinx and Indigenous cultures from the American Southwest, Mexico, and Central and South America, highlighting how ghost storytelling gives voice to a sense of belonging and home in these communities. The anthology represents intersectional and intergenerational understandings of lived experiences, bodies, and traumas, and argues that spectral stories and storytelling practices of LatIndigeneity (re)configure affective states and spaces of being, becoming, migrating, displacing, and belonging.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Monsters and Saints: LatIndigenous Landscapes and Spectral Storytelling is a captivating collection of stories, poetry, art, and essays that delve into the contemporary intersection of Latinx and Indigenous cultures from the American Southwest, Mexico, and Central and South America. This volume aims to give voice to the complex identity of LatIndigenous individuals, exploring how ghost storytelling fosters a sense of belonging and home within these diverse landscapes.

Monsters and Saints reflects intersectional and intergenerational understandings of lived experiences, bodies, and traumas, as narrated through embodied hauntings. The contributions to this anthology showcase a commitment to thoughtful inquiry into the ways storytelling assigns meaning through labels such as monster, saint, and ghost, particularly in the context of global migration. For many marginalized and displaced peoples, a sense of belonging is often haunted by historical exclusion from their original homespace, which further manifests as limited bodily autonomy. By shifting the concept of home beyond physical constructs, the volume argues that spectral stories and storytelling practices of LatIndigeneity (re)configure affective states and spaces of being, becoming, migrating, displacing, and belonging.

Through a diverse range of perspectives and artistic mediums, Monsters and Saints invites readers to explore the complexities of identity, heritage, and belonging in LatIndigenous communities. The stories and poems in this collection offer a glimpse into the lives of individuals who navigate the intersections of race, culture, and spirituality, challenging traditional narratives and revealing the rich tapestry of experiences that shape their lives.

By highlighting the role of ghost storytelling in LatIndigenous cultures, Monsters and Saints sheds light on the ways in which these communities use storytelling to connect with their ancestors, preserve cultural traditions, and navigate the challenges of contemporary life. The volume also explores the ways in which spectral narratives and practices contribute to the reimagining of spaces, bodies, and identities, challenging dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the world.

In conclusion, Monsters and Saints: LatIndigenous Landscapes and Spectral Storytelling is a groundbreaking anthology that offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the contemporary intersection of Latinx and Indigenous cultures. Through its diverse contributions, the volume provides a valuable insight into the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of LatIndigenous individuals, contributing to a more inclusive and understanding of the world.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496848734