Outside the Bones-- Frank Sanchez

Outside  the bones by Lyn Di Lorion is a novel which differs from typical novels as it has its own style and way of writing.  Lorion differs from other authors as she tells her story in a way that makes readers feel as they are part of the scene. As a Spanish speaker reading the Spanish words Lorion adds to her dialogues grabs my attention and keeps me interested. Moreover, it makes me feel like her writing is genuine as she is not changing the meaning or the tone of the dialogues she is having like most author do when they translate conversations from Spanish to English. Nonetheless, the characters in the novel so far are very interesting as we get bits and pieces here and there about each character. For example, Fina, the narrator and main character is someone who is seen as the town's witch but the beginning doesn’t illuminate too much on her past until half way through the novel. The technique of building the characters as the novel moves on is a great strategy as the novel moves on. Also, Chico at first we just know him as a musical guy who makes sweet women loving music but then a couple of pages later we discover one of his deep secrets regarding his wife and daughter. Fina reminds me of my sister's godmother who is known as the town's witch back in the Dominican Republic. Just like Fina, my sister's godmother every time someone visited her house everyone joked around with her by calling her a witch. However, although I can already see Fina turning into a witch and doing homemade spells, I remember when my sister's godmother had asked one of her friends, who apparently  was having a lot of issues financially and socially, to bring a white bird. This white bird as I can remember was to be used to clean her soul and take all evils away from her and give her good luck. Although I have not reached the parts where, if Fina does, help people out with any spells, but I can perceived Fina doing spells throughout the community because there must be a reason why she is known as the bruja.

                                                                      Seeking answers
            Prior to reading the Novel, "Outside The bones" By Lyn Di Lorio, I performed a background check on the author to get a better understanding of why she wrote this Novel.  Its evident that Di Lorio incorporates some of her personal experience into the text.  Soon after the death of her father, according to Outsidethebones.com she visited a Santeros House in Puerto Rico. However details of why she went to this man who performed witchcraft are missing. I speculated that she wanted to come in contact with the spirit of her father, and visiting The santeros house became a routine. Who knows, maybe Di Lorio is disguising her actions behind Finas character and would also perform witchcraft to obtain anything she desired. That, I will personally ask her myself during Wednesday class.  I can relate to the book, in the sense that I was Born in the Dominican Republic and over there just like in Puerto Rico unnatural things happen. There are millions of stories about them. Ive also known individuals who would go visit altars, the places where they hold the session with the santero. The santero is possesed by a spirit and supposedly speaks to you about your life, problems, future, etc. People leave this places amazed, and go back to visit with frequency. Ive never been a fan of witchcraft or anything that has to do with spirits,  not due to fear, but merely because I believe that we as humans create our own destiny.  This so called "Santeros" represent one saint in specific, whether its is San Miguel Or Anaisa, etc and once the spirits takes over their body, the spirit addresses the body as the "Caballo" which means horse.  This name works because horses are meant to be rode by someone on top, which serves as a deeper understanding of what is happening when the spirit is inside the Santeros body.   There are not too many books that addresses witchcraft the way Di Lorio does, she turns it into a fascinating love story in a sense, not healthy indeed. Love makes us all do stupid things, however casting a spell on someone is just desperate.  Her novel is not only entertaining but it creates awareness amongst the Spanish culture, of the causes and consequences of performing witchcraft ; such as blood sacrifices which is something the main character of the Novel is trying to get away from.  People will go over and beyond to solve problems in their lives, or to seek truth. The Santeros take advantage of people like this, not only do people have to pay for a consultation, the santeros also manipulate them into buying products to increase their "fortune, love, etc".   What a scam.

Outside the Bones

I’m not a fan of reading books as I find books archaic and I also haven’t finished it yet but I had a hard time putting this book down. It was an easy read and felt natural and believable, not like college textbook readings. Lyn Di Ioria use of imagery makes it easy for readers to paint a picture in their head about the characters and the setting, even if they are not from New York. The description of the characters are real and vivid, like how Hilesca looks like “an ugly version of Betty Boop” or Chico’s “plump, tender lips” as he plays the trumpet. It gets the best during the ritual as you can almost feel that you are there.  I’m not a fan of the sexuality throughout the reading because it seems completely forced and unnecessary. The book is realistic with love and humor yet still deals with mysticism.

The book is narrated through the heroine Dona Fina. Fina is a plus-size Puerto Rican woman living in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The neighborhood knows her as a bruja or witch. She falls for her upstairs neighbor Chico, who is also a musician. Unfortunately for Fina there are other women after Chico. One named Hilesca, Chico’s long ‘dead’ daughter. Eerily enough this ‘daughter’ of his happens to know all the little details that only Chico and those around the time should know. To make matters worse another woman from Chico’s past shows up. The senator’s wife, Miss Universe, the woman Chico cheated on his wife with. At this point Fina is deseprate, even willing to go to see Tata Victor Tumba Fuego, Master of Fire. In other words he is basically the master of the magic arts. Somewhat related, during my first year of high school the principal had a similar ritual called Santeria placed on the school. Chicken blood was smeared on all the floors and walls to “get rid of the evil spirits”. Ironically enough the beginning of the school year did not start off great. You can read it here.

 http://www.nydailynews.com/news/school-rite-stuff-article-1.237499

READING RESPONSE 09/29

                                                                 Seeking answers

            Prior to reading the Novel, "Outside The bones" By Lyn Di Lorio, I performed a background check on the author to get a better understanding of why she wrote this Novel.  Its evident that Di Lorio incorporates some of her personal experience into the text.  Soon after the death of her father, according to Outsidethebones.com she visited a Santeros House in puerto Rico. However deatils of why she went to this man who performed witchcraft are missing. I speculated that she wanted to come in contact with the spirit of her father, and visiting The santeros house became a routine. Who knows, maybe Di Lorio is disgusing her actions behind Finas character and would also perform witchcraft to obtain anything she desired. That, I will personally ask her myself during Wednesday class.  I can realte to the book, in the sense that I was Born in the Dominican Republic and overthere just like in Puerto Rico unnatural things happen. There are millions of stories about them. Ive also known individuals who would go visit altars, the places where they hold the session with the santero. The santero is possesed by a spirit and supposedly speaks to you about your life, problems, future, etc. People leave this places amazed, and go back to visit with frequency. Ive never been a fan of witcraft or anything that has to do with spirits,  not due to fear, but merely because I believe that we as humans create our own destiny.  This so called "Santeros" represent one saint in specific, wheather its is San Miguel Or Anaisa, etc and once the spirits takes over their body, the spirit addresses the body as the "Caballo" which means horse.  This name works because horses are made to be riden by someone on top, which serves as a deeper understanding of what is happening when the spirit is inside the Santeros body.   There are not too many books that adressed witchcraft the way Di Lorio does, she turns it into a fascinating love story in a sense, not healthy indeed. Love makes us all do stupid things, however casting a spell on someone is just desperate.  Her novel is not only entairtaining but it creates awareness amongst the Spanish culture, of the causes and consequences of performing witchcraft ; such as blood sacrifices which is something the main character of the Novel is trying to get away from.  People will go over and beyond to solve problems in their lives, or to seek truth. The Santeros take advantage of people like this, not only do people have to pay for a consultation, the santeros also manipulate them into buying products to increase their "fortune, love, etc".   What a scam.

When I was purchasing Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iori on Amazon, my first reaction was “This book looks so weird, looks like it’s going to be another boring read this semester.” However, a couple of weeks ago when I actually held it in my hands and read the first fifteen pages, I found myself to be extremely engaged by it. I guess the famous saying “Don't judge a book by its cover” was a bullseye in this case. 

From what I’ve read so far, the book is definitely on the romantic comedy side. I think readers like myself are able to enjoy this novel because of all the relatable things mentioned. I myself am hispanic, and when I’m reading a piece of work, I find it much easier to enjoy and get through when it speaks of things I’m familiar with. Some of the terms used and the concepts talked about in the book, I grew up hearing about them already. When the author talks about sacrifices and “santeria”, it reminded me of my childhood and the stories my family used to tell on late rainy nights when I use to live in the Dominican Republic. I’m also used to seeing a lot of shows such as Witches of East End where sacrifices and santeria are practiced all the time.

I think that one of the literary devices that Lyn Di Iori uses over and over again is onomatopoeia, to describe a sound. Another thing the author does is describe people in very detailed ways. “The gringa, a blonde with a pixie haircut, lay on her sidewatchimg the other two. She was very young and boyish in everything— tall, small-breasted with Raisinet nipples and straight hips— except the sex which was fair and wispy, and out of which dropped a little plump rosebud of a clitoris that she played with absent-mindedly. Her body was stretched out like a cat that’s just ate, so Isis thought maybe she had just been taken.” (66) Although it is a bit disturbing the way she describes people, it serves to help me understand each character a little better. 

Reading Response: Outside The Bones

          Outside The Bones by Lyn Di Iorio is a fiction novel based on the mysterious realms of dark magic from the Palo Monte belief. It is an Afro-Caribbean magical art based on Congo ancestry which is similarly to voodoo. The book takes place mainly in New York City with some flashback scenes that take place in Puerto Rico. The story is revealed through the narrator, Fina Mata, the protagonist of the story. Since it is being told from the first-person narrative, the readers can relate easier to the events of the story. One of the literary techniques that caught my eye is the use of the various forms of imagery. Throughout the book, the author uses phrases to create images for the reader to visualize. Some of the examples can be illustrated through the description of visual, auditory (sound), and kinesthetic (movement) imagery. The text states: "The tide was low…and when it sucked the sand from under her feet, she felt a melting in her bones as if part of her was floating away... with the hot sun bearing down on her with its fierce bald eye (155).The author uses visual imagery of the setting to establish the mood and to describe Aurora’s feelings which is similarly to the movement of a low tide. Another example of imagery is through the uses of kinesthetic and auditory imagery. The narrator states: “Rapapap. It was coming next to me, but I couldn’t see what was making the sound. Instead of running, my hip swayed, one leg stepped forward and I started to dance…Rapapapapapap” (72). The author uses the word “Rapapapapapap” to portray the sound that the narrator heard which, leads to dance motion. 

           In my opinion, this novel is different from all of the books I have read for school. I never got a reading assignment where the text involved sexual explicit words or graphic descriptions. Similarly like other people, I did not get a good impression of book when I first saw it because of the cover page and title. However, as I was reading page after page, I got entrapped to the story and wanted to learn more about the characters and their situations. Even though I had a difficult time understanding the text since the author wrote in English language mixed with Spanish words, I still find this book fascinating because the author does not use complex English words but language from everyday life that gives description in detail to portray the story.

Reading Response 09/29

Outside the bones by Lyn Di Iorio is a novel set mostly in the upper west side of Manhattan and Spanish Harlem. The author uses a first person narrative point of view. My first reaction to the book was that it was going to be scary and only about the dead. As I began to read it, I realized that it was more than that. It is a really interesting and descriptive novel that grabs the reader’s attention and makes us want to keep reading. Di Iorio explores the topics of voodoo, witchcraft, and power. I never knew how voodoo and magic worked but reading this book allowed me to envision how it all happens which is quite interesting.

The main character Fina Mata, who lives in the upper west side is the neighborhood spirit worker. I was able to visualize everything that was going on in the novel like when Fina was angry at her husband Gus for cheating on her. They had a physical encounter where it states, “I grabbed him by both shoulders and tried to lift him up against the wall. I couldn’t do it, but it was, as they say, a brave effort” (Di Iorio 3). After the first chapter, Finas husband does not show up in the story. Di Iorio uses more descriptive scenes where she describes Isis Sandín and states, “No lie. The chick’s face didn’t look any older than when she’d won Miss Universe fifteen years ago. Green eyes, perfect little model’s nose, pulpy lips with just a little touch of gloss on them……and there was a looseness in her arms" (Di Iorio 42). I was able to visualize exactly what she looked like based on her description.

A literary device that Di Iorio also used was the metaphor. An example of this is when Fina states, “The paper grocery bag I was carrying jumped, and I almost dropped it” (Di Iorio 23). I was able to see a picture of that scene happening which helped me understand the text much better.

The author’s style of writing is very easy to understand and that is one of the reasons why I enjoyed reading her novel. The language used amongst the characters was similar to the language we use in today's society. Di Iorio is also from Puerto Rico and lives in the city. It was interesting to see how she used her experiences and her nationality and incorporated it into her novel. She also does a great job using the past and the present together so the reader can understand the characters better. Di Iorio uses flashbacks from Puerto Rico of Fina and Chicos past. We were able to see what they went through before they came to New York. Their past seems to keep resurfacing, especially when voodoo is being done and they can't hide from it.

Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iorio

Outside the Bones written by Lyn Di Iorio deals with witchcraft. the book explores mysterious dark world of Palo Monte, an African - Caribbean religious magical belief system. The novel takes place in New York City and the main character of the book is Fina, who is a loud, street toughened but heart tendered person.She is very known for doing witchcraft, and when she is in love with her upstairs neighbor Chico, it leads her into putting a spell on him. Upon the casting of the spell, Chico gets sick, but not love sick. While recovering from the sickness, two rivals of him shows up: one who claims to be his daughter and another who was his girlfriend. Fina is kind of confused when Hilesca claims to be him daughter because of the sexual acts she does to Chico such as sitting on his lap, kissing him on the lips, and seducing him in bed. Motrtified, Fina asks Palero Tata Victor to to do a major spell on Chico.
What I found very interesting while reading the book is that you can take the bones and skull of an evil or murdered person, put them in a cauldron along with sticks and it will turn into a spirit, an Nfuiri's  which follows the commandments of a palero.
The setting of the book takes place in Spanish Harlem and a few flashbacks to Puerto Rico. One flashback to Puerto Rico is when it traces how Fina was born from bones and skull in the countryside of the Island. Palero Tata Victor brings her bones to Spanish Harlem, re burried and "seasoned" them in Central Park. He makes the Spirits into his servant Nfuiris.
Later into the book, a violent act in Spanish Harlem forces Fina to be cut or be turned into a Palo. Fina must make a big decision if she would like to take part in the fundamental ritual of Afro carribbean and Palo religions which is possession. The type of possession that is described in this novel is playful and sensual union between spirits and humans.

Reading Response 9/29

               Lyn Di Iorio, through her novel Outside the Bones, takes her readers on a journey to explore the supernatural and the Caribbean magical art of Palo Monte. She also invites her readers to be in the shoes of Fina, the main character and narrator of the novel. Through Fina, the reader is able to see the spiritual and real world that surrounds her. The novel not only entertains with its touch of humor but also grabs the reader’s attention with themes of race, revenge, power, greed, and class. For instance, the theme of race is mentioned when Fina goes to Isis’ birthday party at the park. Fina says, “At the spot Chico had set up for Isis’ birthday party, I noticed an old lady, maybe Jewish, with cropped hair and a cat-eye  glasses reading a book on one of the park benches, next to a raisin-haired mulatto, his five heavy chains and his hands beringed in turquoise, coral, and lapis. In the projects, the mean look on his face would have been a threat. On the park bench he was just local color, part of the idea that the neighborhood was finally integrating” (56).  Fina’s observations of the neighborhood in Manhattan’s Upper West Side demonstrate the treatment mulattos had. Clearly, they once were not accepted in that neighborhood and they continue to represent danger to those in the projects. In addition, the novel represents greatly the Latino community in New York because of Fina’s constant Spanish speaking and presentations of Hispanic foods to the reader.


            I thought that the ending of part two of the novel was full of suspense because of all the secrets being discovered among the characters. It was shocking to find out that it was not Isis but Senator Ferrera who had killed Aurora. When Alba found out she was enraged and decided to kill her father as well. Alba expressed the theme of revenge because she was doing everything possible to destroy the person that killed her mother. Senator Ferrera however, also has a strong role in the novel. He represents greed and power because of his position in social class. Chico says, “I hate you, Ferrera. I hate your family. I hate the millions that you steal from the colony. I hate how you control half the island like a plantation. I hate your maggot white skin. I hate your TV gossip and music that distract islanders from the fact that the Ferreras make up what people think…”(146). In other words, Chico is informing the reader of Ferrera’s strong power over the people in Puerto Rico and his greed in stealing money that is meant to be for the people. Senator Ferrera is a corrupt politician and criminal in Puerto Rico that gets away with his actions just because he is rich.  Chico however, due to lack of power and lower social class had to run away for years from Ferrara just because he had been with his wife, Isis.

Outside the Bones

In the novel Outside of the Bones is written by a women name  Lyn Di Lorio. Di Lorino and the main Character are similar because they both are Puerto Rican that live in New York.  Midtown New York is were some parts of the book take place.The book speaks in first person point of view. I think this is Di Lorio memoir with a twist because she describing the main character to be her because they share the same culture and live in the same place. I see that Di Lorio shows off her culture by using some spanish words to describe a situation. For example on page 15, “Aurora’s breath crackled in his ears. You motherfucking hijo de puta chocha-lipped  cula-headed, carbon. I hope that Senator Ferrera and his thugs catch and feed you to the sharks off Pinones!”. It quotes shows that the author is sharing her language to her readers. Even though what she’s saying is bit harsh. In this part of the book was an argument with a guy the main character dating ex wife. 

The main character to me plays out has a witch. She uses a spell called Futu on Chino.  She talks about taking souls and healing. Her husbands cheats on her which I find horrible after they been together for eleven years. Fina meets someone new who's name is Chino. I was happy to see her forget about her husband after he wanted to leave her. In the beginning I found it funny when Fina husband was super scared when Fina found out he was cheating on her. I think he knew what she was capable of so he tried to be nice and brought her flowers. However, I still think Fina was still in a tough situation because Chino is married and pretty much a womanizer. To me she always find herself  attracted to men who likes to cheat. I wonder what does a spirit worker want with a womanizer men? Is she trying heal them for them to be a  better man for her? I think as I kept reading these questions was answered. 

There was also other of places surrounding the characters in the book. Suan Jan was mention a lot in some of the chapters. I think it surrounds them because Fina and Chino are Puerto Rican. I thought this was another way of them sharing culture with the readers. I also think this books surrounds supernatural situations that involved Afro-Caribbean religions. I think the title of the books comes from character name Tato who brought some type of bones to Fina to do her voodoo magic. I was surprised someone who is from New York know so much about voodoo. On page 92, “My mother pulled me out of her body under her long, bustled dress, and threw me into the pool, I  saw my little body float”. From this quote, it shows that Fina was doing spiritual work that had to do with death.This is the first type of book that I read that had something do with voodoo magic and spirits. 

Outside the Bones Response

Christian Persaud
Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iorio
Reading Response:

The novel Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iorio is an enticing story coupled with mainstream aspects of a traditional love story but also with an unusual twist. What makes this story different is that it plays a part in tying a unique and original story together. The main character, Fina Mata, is a woman who lives on Manhattan's Upper West Side and is a "bruja", someone who practices with supernatural elements or also known as a "spirit worker". Early on in the story, Fina becomes captivated by her neighbor, Chico and tries to cast some sort of spell on him. I classify the latter aspect as an unusual twist because the setting is non-fictional and with believable characters but also with the unpredictability of fiction.  

From being told in a first-person point of view, author Iorio utilizes all the strengths that it can bring throughout the entire book. Through very detailed descriptions and metaphors, any reader can immediately visualize the message Iorio wants to convey on every single page. In addition, this perspective is the most effective of all when done right. Author Iorio demonstrates this by capturing her readers and immersing them in the mind of the main character when nothing is left to the imagination. One of the very first quotes that caught my attention: "A man whose face I barely saw grabbed hold of my waist and spun me into the sea of dancers." Upon reading this quote and the many that come after, I was able to picture all moments as if it was a movie. I am sure that this was the authors' intention so that every reader can get even just a glimpse of her ideal vision of the story. 

By the end of the story, everything we once knew or came to expect had been completely thrown out. For better or worse, the main character had to deal with some violent quarrels and ultimately made contact with spirits of some kind. As a result, I believe the story lost some of its charm by its end. 

Outside the Bones

Large metal pot used during a ritual

    Lyn Di Iorio's, novel "Outside the Bones", is a novel about voodoo, greed, power, and witchcraft. It takes place in Spanish Harlem and Puerto Rico. This novel is a fiction, and a little mysterious, erotic, verve, and humorous. In the beginning of the novel I started to feel bad for Aurora, and thought we as women can relate to her situation by being hurt and betrayed by a man, but as I kept reading she was the town "puta".

    Aurora met and fell in love with Chico, he was a nice-talking, sweet-walking fine "puto" of a Puerto Rican. The women found him irresistible, and he was a musician. Chico and Aurora met when they were young and naive, a struggling musician, patient wife, and they lived in a zinc roofed shack home. Chico was married to Aurora, and got chased out of Puerto Rico by some thugs for cheating on Aurora, they nearly killed him. He moves to New York City. Aurora ends up pregnant, and gives birth to a baby girl, Hilesca, which Chico believes is his baby, but we later find out that it's not his baby. Aurora and the baby end up getting sick, and Chico is scrambling to get money to pay for the doctor visit. He finds a side job gardening, and that's when he meets, Isis. The Senators wife.  Isis had seen Chico play, and she was already imagining the things he could do to her just by watching him trim the leaves.

    The Senator was a known womanizer, and suspicious of his wife's behavior. He found out about Chico, and sent his thugs after him. Chico lost his wife and mistress. Chico, thought his daughter died, while he was fooling around with, Isis, but she comes back into his life. Fina, was a little suspicious of his "daughters" behavior. Sitting on his lap, kissing him on his lips, trying to seduce him in bed, wearing inappropriate clothes around him. Fina, kept a very close eye on her.

    Chico later finds out while being tied up to a chair that Hilesca is not his child. He starts to look at Ferrera and Hilesca,  and starts noticing the resemblance.

    Aurora hated Isis, Isis destroyed her first life. Isis and Aurora were both pregnant from the Senator.  So in a sense I guess this was revenge. Aurora was tired of being hurt, and she hurt back as much as they hurt her. She was raped, betrayed, lied to, and she was just looking for a man who could give her a child, and help with the child, and so she sought out, Alberto Ferrera. The Senator. Isis husband. Aurora had it out for Isis, she knew what she was doing. You could say it was Chico's fault Aurora turned into a whore. Some might say she had become the worst type of "puta", a woman who would go with anybody and do anything.

    When I first purchased this book, I thought to myself this is not something I would read, but as I started reading I couldn't put it down. It's very intriguing, and again since it took place where I grew up I was very interested. I have seen a lot of botanica stores growing up, but my family was never into that, but I knew a few people who believed in it. Great and easy read!

Reading Response 09/29

In the book Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Lorio who just like the main character Fina, is of Puerto Rican decent. The story is a first person narrative point of view that takes place in New York City where Di Lorio also resides; this further empowers the description in the novel because she’s been in the settings firsthand. One of the techniques I have noticed throughout the book is that Di Lorio spelled out sounds to describe what is being heard. “Rapapap. It was coming from next to me, but I couldn’t see what was making the sound. Instead of running, my hips swayed, one leg stepped forward and I started to dance, Rapa my hip, Papap, my breast, Papap, my legs. Rapapapapap curling in my body. Rapapapapapap”(72). The word Rapapap was used to describe the rattling sound being made that Fina hears. Another example of this was “Taca, taca, taca”(65). To describe the squeaking noise heard upstairs.

Throughout the book, it could be noticed that there are less focus on the description of the settings, but it’s focused more on the people who are in the environment, despite that, the description of the people are able to give the readers some insight on what the place might look like. When coming to Isis’ birthday party, Fina observed the place, she narrated:

At the spot Chico had set up for Isis’ birthday party, I noticed an old lady, maybe Jewish, with cropped hair and cat-eye glasses reading a book on one of the park benches, next to a raisin haired mulatto listening to his iPod. If the old lady had been passing through the projects, she would have bolted from the mulatto, his five heavy chains and his hands beringed in turquoise, coral and lapis. In the projects, this mean look on his face would’ve been a threat. (56)

This is one example where Di Lorio described the place by describing the people, she described the two completely different people sitting down in harmony, which the readers could interpret the neighborhood as nice and peaceful.

            One of the favorite things that I love in Di Lorio’s book was the constant flashback of Fina’s past to slowly reveal what has happened to his father throughout the book. This built up some mystery and suspense going through the book.

Outside the Bones

Wow! Was my first reaction as I finished reading Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iorio. From the cover one would probably think that it’s a scary story, but its actually not. It was interesting, sad and even funny at times. This is not your ordinary “I’m reading this book for class,” type of book. It was a very easy read, so easy that I read the entire thing in 2 days. It was engaging and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see what was going to happen.

Although this book is fiction, some of the context in it is actually real. Being from Hispanic background I am familiar with “palo,” “botanicas” and the idea of “Nkisis.” In the book Fina sacrifices a rooster, which directly reminded me of a movie in which one of the characters also sacrifices a rooster by cracking its neck. Someone who is not familiar with “santeria” might find some of the things in this book quite shocking. Santeria and brujeria have always been a topic of my interest which is yet another reason why I liked this book.

            “To somebody else, he would be just another light-brown man with raisin-clumped hair already starting to gray in the sideburns.” This is the first description that we get of Chico, and from this first page I already feel like I know what he looks like. “That thick hair of an animal. Her skin was like coffee, with a lot of milk in it.” This was one of those strong descriptions in where you can imagine exactly what her skin color looks like. Di Iorio does this with all of the characters that she introduces and because of that the reader is able to paint a picture of what these characters look like.

Another thing that I found interesting was that all of the characters had significance in the story line. All of them where in the book for a purpose and we see that as the story progresses. The only character who didn’t really have significance was Gus, Fina’s ex husband in the beginning of the book because we never hear of him again.

Foreshadowing is literary device also used in this book. One example of this is when Isis says “Callate ya, callate ya,” to the dog as she as she is walking through the park. We see her say this again when she is telling the story of when Aurora was killed and she was telling Aurora the same thing.

Reading Response 09/29

"Outside the Bones", by Lyn Di Lorio, is quite the book. I'm not a big reader but this book has held my attention for a few reasons. First, the story itself, as weird as it is, is quite interesting. Normally stuff like this would freak me out but the way in which it's all presented doesn't make it seem so weird. The whole book really connects and tells a story inside a story which makes it easier for me personally to visualize.

If you can't already tell, I like the way in which the book is written. When Fina is first with Chico at the club you can really just see this guy jamming out and really capturing the whole crowd. Di Lorio does a great job with painting a picture for the reader, and an example of this is her talking about Fina's J Lo dance moves. That's quite the statement to make and would grab anyone's attention. On the other hand, the whole voodoo aspect is also very grabby. When Fina has to sacrifice the rooster it is just hard to keep reading. That is some of the weirdest, most vulgar things to have to do and the reader can really feel what Fina feels because she doesn't want to do it either. But again, now the subject of the past with Fina and her father and his girlfriend are brought up because she did what she had to. Every time the voodoo is used or mentioned the past seems to come back to either haunt or somewhat shed some light on the truth which isn't a bad thing I guess.

I find this book grasping me because it's very conversational and someone realistic. This whole thing with Chico and his music and Alba was really weird. These things from Chico's past just keep coming back into his life and you can tell it really irks him. I have mixed feelings about the book because I like that the past is making itself clear but I hate what has to be done for that to happen. At the same time the reader wants to know more about Chico and his past.

Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iorio is a novel set in New York City and Puerto Rico. This novel reveals the magical Latino mystery book through several characters. There is a connection between spiritual possession and the way music possesses people. As the novel progresses, Fina, the neighborhood spirit worker wants to find her voice and how she can change this Afro Caribbean witchcraft practice. For Fina, the search for the spirits life story is a mystery. How can she understand the whole idea of a spirit in real life and to what extent is that considered scary? The connection that above spiritual measures are effective with what is down on earth. After Fina casting a few spells on Chico in an attempt to win his heart, she discovers that he has a dark past. Fina engages even more with the spiritual world when she seeks the help of a Palero Tata Victor in Spanish Harlem to help her  seduce Chico. While reading, what striked me the most is that the bones and skulls of a murdered or evil person are put in a cauldron along with sticks and this eventually turns into a spirit; an Nfuiri and follows the commands of a palero. Fina's visit to Tata Victor reveals to readers how Palo operates and viewed as powerful to which readers may respond to dismay like Fina but also interested. The novel reaches its climax when Fina plans fail but rather take an unexpected end when she is possessed by a spirit searching for blood. "I was staring at Isis now she was grabbing at her neck and yelling I feel hot like in hell... Rita hungry now. Rita killed and angry I looked at Isis but I knew it wasn't  Isis. Shit Aurora who is Rita"(page 132). A spirit from the island of Puerto Rico has come to New York to seek revenge.  Lyn Di Iorio portrays few flashbacks to Puerto Rico when Fina receives her vision and an understanding of how she is connected with events happening around her. As she gets to the depth of her mystery, Fina learns about her own buried past. Lyn Di Iorio uses imagery and an enchanting tone to provide vivid descriptions of Palo. Fina casting spells and communicating with the Nfuiri and Nkisis that surrounds her.