The November 2011 Words Without Borders featuring Caribbean Spanish and French language writers. The Spanish language writers come from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The featured Spanish language writers are below.

This month we present literature from the Caribbean. Writers from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Martinique, and Puerto Rico contribute compelling portraits of their countries and societies. From sober reports on natural disasters and political oppression to antic depictions of sexuality run amok, the pieces collected here testify to the range and vitality of this region’s writers. Haiti’s Dany Laferrière reports from the rubble of the 2010 earthquake. In an excerpt from his Prix Goncourt-shortlisted novel, Lyonel Trouillot sends a young woman in search of her family history. Cuba’s Jorge Olivera Castillo brings a nightmare to life. His countryman Omar Pérez performs a lively regguetón. From Martinique, Suzanne Dracius rides with Amazons, while Johan Moya Ramis struggles with an unruly body part. Évelyne Trouillot gives voice to a madwoman on a turbulent journey. Puerto Rico’s Juan Flores presents a tap-dancing sage, while José María Lima speaks from the grave. In poetry from the Dominican Republic, Frank Baez paints a self-portrait, José Mármol communes with nature, and Aurora Arias comes full circle. We trust you’ll enjoy this island tour.

There is No Theorem (A Regguetón)
By Omar Pérez
Translated from Spanish by Kristin Dykstra
all things in moderation and the moderation addles. more>>>

The Other Day After the Rain
By Johan Moya Ramis
Translated from Spanish by David Iaconangelo
He throws the arm with the machete around my shoulders, the edge of the blade scant centimeters from my neck. more>>>

Self-Portrait
By Frank Baez
Translated from Spanish by Hoyt Rogers
The neighbors dream of shooting me. more>>>

Alive or Dead
By Jorge Olivera Castillo
Translated from Spanish by Amanda Hopkinson
One of the dogs goes for him as if there were nothing between  them to block its way. more>>>

Deus ex Machina
By José Mármol
Translated from Spanish by Erica Mena
Throw the dice, Lord, your turn has inevitably come. more>>>

Invention of the Day
By José Mármol
Translated from Spanish by Erica Mena
thursday the man who invented death with his blood rested on a rock. more>>>

The Crane
By Juan Carlos Flores
Translated from Spanish by Kristin Dykstra
somewhat drunk he tap dances over the wet cobblestones more>>>

From the Grave of My Grave
By José María Lima
Translated from Spanish by Erica Mena
stalker-yesterday says slowly / my death has not begun more>>>

Bird’s Nest
By Aurora Arias
Translated from Spanish by Erica Mena
the honied bodies of whores / hold all the men. more>>>