55 pages • 1 hour read
Kirstin Valdez QuadeNight at the Fiestas
Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Night at the Fiestas by Kirstin Valdez Quade is a collection of stories set in and around New Mexico, exploring the intricate lives of characters who navigate themes of identity, family, and socio-political tensions. The stories depict various eras and communities, examining the impact of race, class, gender, and ethno-religious identity against the backdrop of New Mexico's historical and cultural landscape. The book includes descriptions of alcohol abuse and addiction, domestic violence, attempted suicide, anti-gay bias, gun violence, child abandonment, and murder.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Night at the Fiestas by Kirstin Valdez Quade impresses with rich, evocative prose and well-developed characters, capturing the complexities of family and cultural identity. Positive reviews highlight her storytelling prowess. However, some critics note a tendency towards bleakness and occasional predictability in plotlines. Overall, a compelling and thought-provoking collection.
Who Should Read Night at the Fiestas?
Readers who cherish emotionally rich, character-driven tales set in the American Southwest will love Kirstin Valdez Quade’s Night at the Fiestas. Fans of Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find and Annie Proulx's Close Range: Wyoming Stories will appreciate Quade's exploration of family, faith, and cultural identity.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness
Identity: Femininity
Identity: Race