"The ones who broke the world should not be entrusted with its repair."

Sordidez by E.G. Conde is a story I won't easily forget. It's unsettling because it's set in a dystopian world, but the reality is that if you're Puerto Rican or Indigenous the themes hit close to home. The world Conde created is not so far away from the truth and the story is a reminder of the harsh realities of colonialism, the dangerous impact of capitalism on climate and political movements. The story also gives a multi-layered view of what activism and resistance movements look like and how different motivations shape the methods towards reparations, independence and sovereignty. 

What this story does best is imagine a world that is more inclusive, one that moves forward but always references the past in order to enact change, and sows seeds of hope that lie with the people who are willing to do the work. Conde uses language as a powerful tool to empower, not only Indigenous peoples but also anyone who has been relegated to the outskirts of society. Conde gives you Taino and Maya culture and language and connects Puerto Rico to the history of the Yucatan. He writes a world that uses sign language and normalizes deaf people and he also gives you a trans leader who is a journalist and working towards making the world more inclusive. He highlights how Indigenous people need to be at the forefront of socio-political affairs, especially when it comes to climate disaster. The ones who have been the oppressors cannot be trusted to wield their power and undo all the harm they continue to cause. Conde also shows how returning to ancestral knowledge and ways is the key to reconnecting to community and reclaiming the land. 

Although this was a very short novella, the blending of genres and introduction to memorable characters make for a captivating read. Conde's narrative style of revealing things slowly keep you glued to the pages and make it hard to walk away from the story. The anticipation of how the stories of the survivors connect keep you in suspense.

Conde's revelatory and reflective prose stay with you even after the last sentence and his message of hope is a wake up call and reminder that it is ordinary people that are capable of doing extraordinary things. Staying rooted to our culture and using our ancestral gifts is the key to reinventing the world and undoing some of the damage that had been done to us. There is power in uniting with other Indigenous peoples and learning their history. It is only through this sharing of knowledge that new ideas for political uprisings can come about. If you love stories that are powerful and deep and cause you to challenge the ways that you think about the world, then this one will be a hit for you. Thank you to @stelliformpress for the gifted copy