Introduction to Latina and Latino Literature/Lionel Garcia

Lionel Garcia

Brief Biography

Garcia was born in San Diego, Texas, on August the 20th, 1935, deep in the barren brush country. He was raised in an extended family filled with colorful characters which included his parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles and transient relatives-close and distant- who came in and out of his grandmother's house without warning. He was affected deeply by the Hispanic story telling tradition. Most of his work is about the Mexican American experience in deep south Texas brush country, an area so different and unique that is still part United States and Mexico, an area of a mixture of Catholicism and witchcraft in which nothing thrives except plants with thorns and animals with fangs.

Place in Latina/o Literature

As a child of the Great Depression, his philosophy and attitudes are shaped by the strength, love and loyalty he experienced in the face of extreme poverty and prejudice. He inherited his sense of humor from his strong family who managed to confront and solve problems of monumental proportions with common sense and total acceptance.

"In 1983, he was asked to read from his works at a bohemian coffee house in Houston. The response was so positive that he is now in demand nation-wide as a reader and speaker before a wide range of audiences--from literary and corporate groups to kindergartners. He captures audiences with engaging stories laced with generous helpings of humor and wisdom which makes for an immediate connection with his audience

Comparison to Other Latina/o Authors

If you mean to sit down and write, I write five days out of the week, from 9 to 11 P.M.. Sometimes I will go later. And I never try to say how many pages I'm going to write a day. I may write two or three or I may write ten pages. It depends. In other words, if I'm really going that night, why stop at a preconceived page number? If I'm struggling I will quit at eleven and go to bed to think. Now, if you are asking me how often I write without sitting down at the computer then I will have to say that I am writing most of the day. For some reason, I write in my head more on Saturday morning, in bed, than at any other time.

Miscellaneous Links

Lionel Garcia's personal website: http://www.lionelgarcia-novelist.com/index.htm

References