Jared Lemus

A vibrant debut story collection--poignant, unflinching, and immersive--this work of literary fiction masterfully moves between sharp wit and profound tenderness. Guatemalan Rhapsody offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of an ever-changing country, the people who claim it as home, and those who no longer do. Ranging from a custodian at an underfunded college to a medicine man living in a temple dedicated to San Simon, the patron saint of alcohol and cigarettes, the character-driven stories in this collection find their subjects at defining moments in their lives, where sacrifices may be required of them, by them, or for them. In "Saint Dismas," four orphaned brothers pose as part of a construction crew, stopping cars along the highway and robbing anyone foolish enough to hit the brakes. In "Heart Sleeves," two wannabe tattoo artists take part in a contest, where one of them hopes to win not o…