Mundo Cruel is a very slim volume of tiny stories that are funny, vicious and sharp. I loved the voice in these pieces, which is original, iconoclastic, hilariously funny and often sad. One great example is: (and I'm paraphrasing so forgive) when one of the characters briefly breaks the fourth wall and reflects that, like most Puerto Rican literary protagonists, he isn't sure about the role of the US in PR.

The first story ("The Chosen One") is heartbreaking for its depiction of familial homophobic violence and societal hypocrisy. The last story ("Mundo Cruel") is wildly but subtly satirical so you don't even realize you're being hosed until halfway through. And in between there vivid characters and relationships that I think will stick with a reader long after she's done with the book. Definitely read the one called "La Edwin," too, because it was hilarious.