Getting Closer: Stories Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

This short story collection employs different narrative forms and techniques to investigate its characters' inner and outer journeys and the nature of exile from our homes and ourselves. Cycling through the collection is the matriarch of a Cuban American family, Abuela Gloria, and the fictions she passes down to her children and grandchildren about their new and old homes. Coming of age amid family secrets, Catholic superstition, and magical thinking, named and unnamed queer characters navigate the challenges of leading authentic lives without untethering from their lineage.

Table of Contents

How to Make Boliche…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…….1

Our Dead Are…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….……………...4

Blood Moon…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….………………..10

The American Writer…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…….18

My Boys…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….……....20

Cousins…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….….……33

Darkroom…………….…………….…………….…………….………………………….……..36

Cadillac Ranch…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….44

My Father Was…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….50

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	English and Creative Writing
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Literature, American Literature, Latin American Literature, Caribbean
Keyword	Family secrets Cuban-American identity Experimental literary forms Queer identity
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Steven Duong, Emory University
Committee Members	Paul Kelleher, Emory University Dan Sinykin, Emory University Marjorie Pak, Emory University

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