Julio César Pol’s flash fiction builds on his work as an award-winning poet. The micro-stories in Horsepower tackle the shadow of violence inherent to most human relationships. Mothers plan the death of their children. Husbands wonder about taking revenge against their cheating wives. The machismo, the specter of violence, and the cleverness that characterizes the lyrics of many reggaeton songs, serve as a soundtrack for these stories where everyone’s in danger, but physical violence rarely occurs. As in his poems, these stories speak about how the patriarchy disciplines not just women, but also young men, who may feel like anger is the only emotion they are entitled to. These stories are fun, high-octane and thought provoking, as they are supported by a theoretical inquiry: what is wrong with men these days? How is masculinity at times repellent and attractive? “Horsepower” plows it way through these questions.
-Juan Pablo Rivera, Clark University
Julio César Pol 