☀️A Sunny Place for Shady People - Mariana Enriquez☀️

This books sees multiple stories set mainly against the backdrop of Buenos Aires and some heavy hitting themes like femicide, abuse and body dysmorphia. These Latin American horror stories genuinely scared me at times and I think it’s such a talent to be able to cause a heavy reaction like that using just words.
The titular story was so interesting as it blended real life “true crime” with the story of Elisa Lam and the Cecil Hotel. I still don’t know how but Enriquez managed to turn an already stomach turning scenario and make it more so.
She is a real and true talent and it’s prompted me to want to read more of her work. If you come across any of her works I’d definitely recommend picking it up, you won’t be disappointed.

A Sunny Place for Shady people will be available in English translation for purchase from 26th September 2024.

Thank you @grantabooks @netgalley and @marianaenriquez1973 for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

My thanks to the publisher for my digital ARC of A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enríquez, translated by Megan McDowell! It’s always hard when an author has written books you hold in such high regard. To me, Things We Lost in the Fire is a perfect short story collection, and Our Share of Night is a masterpiece. I set the same high expectations for this collection and unfortunately they weren’t quite met. Don’t get me wrong, there were some stellar stories - the last one, Black Eyes was absolutely chilling, I loved it. But a couple of them leant too heavily on the fatphobic idea that being fat is one of the worst things you can be. Others were just a little forgettable.
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But if you enjoyed the mash up of horror and political commentary that Enríquez did so well in TWLITF, you’ll find some gems here too. Homelessness, classism, gun violence, poverty, violence against women all permeate these stories, rubbing shoulders with the supernatural. She also explores illness a lot, so be prepared for some grisly body horror.

weird, wonderful and slightly insane are the words i would use to describe this book and that’s exactly what i wanted. I became a huge fan of this authors work after reading “the dangers of smoking in bed” and the second I saw this I knew that I had to dive straight in.

I can’t explain the power the author has but it’s magnetic, when you read these stories you can’t help but just get sucked into them. It’s like those horror films where you put your hands over your eyes but slightly open them so you can still watch it even though everything in your body is telling you to look away. I don’t even know how the author manages to think of these ideas let alone write them in such addictive unique ways with beautiful prose, but they do.

I can firmly say that this did not disappoint and again, we have another win for the weird girls who are into translated fiction.

I've been reading this for about three weeks, which is amazing as a book under 250 pages usually takes me 2-3 days. I felt, mostly, apathetic about every story here. I like Enríquez, but I found most of these stories fairly similar in tone. At one point a character says a character's recent experience sounds like cheap horror flick and I thought the same about a few of the stories. I've got nothing against horror, but I just found these a bit corny at times. I liked the other collection of hers I've read well enough, so maybe I've been in the wrong mood for three weeks? Fans of her will probably enjoy this as it's much the same: demon children, lots of murder, ghosts, phantoms, etc., but this time with some strange disarming references too, like Game of Thrones quotes and talk of Funko bobbleheads.

I appreciate receiving Mariana Enriquez's "A Sunny Place for Shady People" (a brilliant title!) as an advanced reader copy from Granta Publications in exchange for my review. This is a new chilling collection of short stories about ordinary people in the face of the supernatural.

Set in Argentina, the tales serve as allegories for societal decay, political trauma, and moral principles. Enriquez masterfully blends literary fiction with horror, creating a unique reading experience, packed with social commentary, using the supernatural to expose the underbelly of society and highlight issues of poverty, inequality, and ethics. By blending these elements, Enriquez creates a unique brand of horror that is both terrifying and thought-provoking, prompting readers to reflect on the deeper societal issues lurking beneath the surface.

"A Sunny Place for Shady People" is structured as a collection of stand-alone short stories, connected through recurring themes and motifs. The stories vary in length and style, ranging from concise and chilling vignettes to longer, more complex narratives, with some told in the first person and others narrated in the third person. Each title cleverly relates to its message and most start with mundane scenarios that slowly and suddenly mutate into macabre tales. Some narratives lack closure or clarity - or, perhaps, I failed to relate to them - or are sluggish.

The subject matter is dark, and its prose is lyrical and witty. Though flawed and sometimes morally ambiguous, her characters are deeply human and relatable. This collection showcases a more mature and nuanced understanding of Argentina's complexities compared to Enriquez's previous works. Here, the literary overpowers the horror. The stories are more overtly political, addressing themes of dictatorship and trauma with raw honesty. Fans of her earlier work will find familiar elements like the macabre and supernatural but, perhaps, left wishing for more. However, the deeper exploration of social and political themes may turn out to be highly rewarding.

While "A Sunny Place for Shady People" is a captivating and thought-provoking read, it may not be for everyone. Some readers might find the stories overly dark and disturbing, while others may find them too bland in comparison to her previous books. However, "A Sunny Place for Shady People" is a must-read for fans of literary horror, anyone who wants to dive into 'horror,' and anyone seeking a thought-provoking and unsettling collection of tales.

A woman’s face is disappearing, her eyes, her nose, her mouth sealing up until all of her senses are lost; A young girl befriends the dead, and finds she enjoys the feel of their hands on her skin; A reporter investigates a young girls murder, her ear pressed to the septic tank within which she was drowned; A couple visit a secluded town to find its children are much older than they seem.

A dark, intoxicating collection of creepy stories which, despite your better judgement, you won’t be able to put down.
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What an incredible short story collection. Each tale is creepy and weird, short and sweet yet deep and meaningful. Best of all, each story in this collection is so creative! I’m a big fan of horror films so feel I am familiar with many of the big horror tropes, but for each of these stories I was kept guessing. My personal favourite was ‘Metamorphosis’ - what a cool idea! A woman reclaiming her body through the most unique and twisted of methods. I thought about it for days after reading - a true sign of a good story.

After reading this I feel inspired to go back and reread The Dangers of Smoking in Bed, as well as anything else of Mariana Enriquez’s work that I can get my hands on. I look forward to seeing what she does next!

Thanks to Granta Publications for providing the ARC of this collection via NetGalley.

A thought provoking, compelling, and engaging collection of short gothic and horror stories by the marvellously imaginative Mariana Enriquez. The stories comprise of:

My Sad Dead
A Sunny Place for Shady People
Face of Disgrace
Julie
Night Birds
Metamorphosis
Hyena Hymns
Different Colors Made of Tears
The Suffering Woman
The Refrigerator Cemetery
A Local Artist
Black Eyes

The profoundly unsettling, violent, gruesome and disturbing stories are emotive and atmospheric, speaking of more than one type of monsters and legends, whilst simultaneously providing a social and political commentary. There is a focus on Argentina's history, social class, inequality, cities and rural locations, on those who reside on the margins of society, spiritualists, and the supernatural, and be prepared for ambiguous conclusions. Some of the subjects, ideas, and themes of these stories will feel familiar to readers who have read her previous works, so perhaps they may not feel as innovative, but for readers new to the author, this collection provides a brilliant introduction to her captivating dark, intense, visionary, smart, insightful and exquisite storytelling.

This short story collection is likely to appeal to a wide range of readers, but I would particularly recommend it to those who have yet to encounter the talented Enriquez. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

"A Sunny Place for Shady People" by Mariana Enriquez is an extraordinary literary achievement that captivates with its blend of the macabre and the profound. Enriquez's storytelling is nothing short of mesmerizing; she crafts a world that is at once familiar and deeply unsettling. Her characters are vividly drawn, each with a unique voice that resonates long after the last page is turned. The atmospheric prose envelops the reader, creating a sense of place that is both haunting and evocative. Enriquez tackles complex themes with finesse, weaving narratives that are rich in emotion and insight. This book is a testament to her skill as a writer, offering a reading experience that is as thought-provoking as it is enthralling. "A Sunny Place for Shady People" is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a novel that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving.

No review I write will give this justice. This lyrical and unique collection of stories made my skin crawl at points. It’s macabre and horrifying yet also human and tender. I didn’t know Latin American horror was something I needed but I need more of it now. The short stories are amazing and you should definitely read them in order as they become more and more disturbing and powerful. If gothic horror is your thing then check this out. I am now off to get everything this author has written to date. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

A collection of short stories that uses the mundane, routine and familiar to create extraordinary, weird, deeply unsettling narratives. As my first venture into the works of Mariana Enriquez I was utterly mesmerised.

Often set in her birthplace of Argentina, Enriquez's work offers a stark social commentary on some of the issues pervading the country, using horror to highlight and explore themes such as homelessness, addiction and domestic violence. The depth of storytelling and character building within these short stories is a feat of literary genius, compelling you from the first
chapter right until the end.

Eerie, atmospheric and beautifully human; these stories are built to captivate as much as they are to disturb with their intriguingly macabre characters and unpredictable, meandering plots. Body horror and the supernatural feature heavily throughout the works, building a visceral sense of unsease that often culminates in a fairly ambiguous ending. Though some may find this unsatisfactory, I personally enjoy being left to decipher some of the more obscure elements. Enriquez's rich use of imagery certainly arms the reader with everything they need to flesh out those parts themselves, which coincidentally (or intentionally) leaves the story lingering with you for much longer than it would had you been given a more comprehensive version of events that required no further exploration.

This was my first book by Mariana Enriquez, and I can confidently say it won’t be the last! With another of her books already waiting on my shelf and a trip planned to Saaremaa to pick up yet another, I’m fully committed. This collection of strange and gut-wrenching stories is definitely worth the effort! 😊

Enriquez has a unique ability to play on your nerves, creating an irresistible curiosity that keeps you turning the pages while simultaneously giving you goosebumps, shivers, and even slight nausea. As a big fan of dark crime novels, I thought I was prepared for anything, but this book surprised me. The cover, with its bright colors, initially seemed too friendly. However, the collage of faces and hands should have been a red flag: be prepared for horrors! Now that I know what Enriquez's style entails, I can say I thoroughly enjoy it.

These twelve stories dive into realms filled with ghosts, secrets, deaths, disfigurements, diseases, hallucinations, and other nightmare-inducing elements. Each story is meticulously crafted to evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact. It’s difficult to choose a favorite, but “Different Colors Made of Tears” definitely stands out. The story of donated clothes, specifically beautiful dresses filled with the previous owner's anger and cruelty, was particularly haunting. The description of the agony and pain experienced while trying them on is so vivid that it left me feeling queasy, something that hasn’t happened in a long time (except when reading in the car). I’ll need some time before I dare visit a secondhand store again.

Enriquez’s writing style is perfectly suited to my taste. Her narratives flow smoothly, making each story engaging and compelling. There isn’t much dialogue; instead, each story features a narrator who sets the scene and then immerses the reader in the unfolding horror. This approach makes the reading experience both terrifying and captivating. The stories are gamblingly terrifying but impossible to put down. Enriquez masterfully balances the eerie and the intriguing, ensuring that you’re always eager to read the next page.

The collection's ability to surprise and disturb is a testament to Enriquez’s skill as a writer. She has a talent for creating unforgettable characters and settings that linger in your mind long after you’ve finished reading. The themes she explores are dark and often unsettling, but they are handled with such finesse that you can’t help but be drawn into her world.

I highly recommend this collection to readers who enjoy daring and intense stories. It’s an amazingly written work that will leave you wanting more.

Thank you so much, NetGallery and Granta Publications, for this wonderful reading experience!

Review in Estonian (Aug 19, 2024): https://brixieblog.wordpress.com/2024/08/19/a-sunny-place-for-shady-people-mariana-enriquez/

This was an incredible collection. The stories had the classic Enriquez flair but were quite new and different for her, and it was good to see her playing around with structure and language in different ways. I thought the last three stories in particular were absolutely amazing and I will be thinking about them for a long time. I can’t wait to talk to people about this because it’s such a great way of getting into Latin American horror.

More than a collection of short stories, this seems like a book of fantastic openings. Hooked from the first page, then left to flounder in mid-air.

At her best, Mariana Enríquez weaves the supernatural and mundane together so elegantly that we are forced to ask who is intruding on who. In my favourite story, our narrator’s depiction of ghettoised ghosts echoes the paternalistic language used about the living. As they are less cognitively sophisticated, they are doomed to reoffend. Yet, when the neighbourhood is haunted by the ghost of a boy who died under their watch, we realise it is not only him who is bound to repeat his disturbance, but they who are compelled to ignore, standing at the window like “hoodless executioners”.

There's something about Mariana Enriquez's that is so matter of fact, yet at once loaded with nuance and eerieness. The characters in this new collection of stories come face to face with the occult, with the darkness lying underneat Argentine society, and yet she has a unique talent for making even the most unsettling of experiences feel true to life. I don't think that A Sunny Place for Shady People is quite as strong as her previous collections, and certainly not as strong as Our Share of Night, but here is another richly drawn tapestry of South American life, from a true master of modern horror.

This was a book of random short stories and I enjoyed them all. The characters were well thought of -
Yolk was probably the most grimacing but I found that I could have read more of each one, like I had to find out more about what happened.

I think the author has a great talent for bizarre storytelling and I look forward to any released. ‘The Dangers of Smoking in Bed’ was a superb read and although this one didn’t quite reach the same expectations it was worth reading.

Description:
Enriquez returns to collections of short stories after penning that HUGE novel. Horror, with lots of body horror and ghost stories in the mix.

Liked:
The standouts in this collection for me were The Suffering Woman, Black Eyes, and the titular story. A Sunny Place for Shady People revolves around the story of Elisa Lam, which absolutely terrifies me in and of itself, and features some nice moments between friends. The Suffering Woman knits together real-world and supernatural fears in a way which is super effective, and Black Eyes does a lot with a little - taking an interesting protagonist and some lightly sketched but very evil antagonists and creating a real monster.

Disliked:
A Local Artist and Face of Disgrace felt like the weakest in the collection, with the former trying to do too much in a short space of time, and Face of Disgrace featuring an interesting sibling relationship and being fairly gross but not really succeeding otherwise.

Would recommend, although if you haven’t read her earlier collections, I’d probably start there first.

I really enjoyed the writing, I found it to be unsettling and atmospheric at the same time. However, I struggled a little with the pacing of some of the short stories. Some felt like they were dragging, whereas others went by too quickly and I wanted them to last longer. I particularly enjoyed the first two, they were my favourite from the whole collection.

A Sunny Place for Shady People is another exquisite collection of unsettling horror stories from Enriquez. True to form, each story is brilliantly written and no word is wasted. All the stories are equally high quality and engrossing, which I find rare in short story compilations, as usually I'd fine one or two stand out above the rest. It's refreshing to find a collection that keeps me utterly riveted throughout. Hugely enjoyed this, thank you for the chance to read and review!

Mariana Enriquez is a stunning short story writer! Honestly just as good as her first book of short stories. Tremendous.

This is a collection of two halves: the first half is excellent with some of the best stories I've read from Enriquez, including the title story which is sheer brilliance. But the latter selection feel B list: they're not bad but the writing feels a bit more pedestrian and the tales themselves fall into a type that we expect from this writer and other women from Latin America who are using Gothic and horror tropes to convey political and social commentary.

What makes the first set of stories so exciting for me is the way they pack an emotional punch alongside the expected imagination. Rape, femicide, drug use, street violence, migration all appear in various guises alongside ghostly and monstrous presences, marginalised voices and communities.

There's a particularly interesting metamorphic strand which uses Latin American rather than classical myths in some of the stories, displacing what usually pass for origin tales. And there's a dark humour at work such as in 'Metamorphosis' where a woman decries the way no-one has told her how her post-menopausal body will become alien to her.

For me, the truly excellent stories more than made up for the lacklustre fillers - and there are some stunners her