El ladrón de morfina. (The Morphine Thief)

A study of a crude world constructed of drugs, conflict, and human weakness, this novel takes place during the Korean War, a time when the world powers (specifically, the United States and China, with the Soviet Union playing a shadowy role) took sides, with violent results. In this surreal environment, where characters are identified by their vice of choice, we are given a distinct look into the male animus. What impels a man to do the impossible? Flaco Bentley, a soldier from the 187th regimen, is our guide as we descend farther down the steps of fantasy while coming face to face with the fear and anxiety generated by war. Yes, war is hard to fathom, especially for someone far away from home, and as we traverse the battlefields with Bentley, we become a fellow soldier, ready to ask the questions he is asking, too. Like other great novels, El ladrón de morfina implies that our destiny is shaped not by the tragedies we are dealt but by how we meet tragedy head on. A fascinating read for anyone enthralled with a good narrative, this book is recommended for all bookstores and both public and academic libraries. .—Rick Villalobos, Villa Park P.L., IL