The Lost Souls of Guayaquil

Spectacularly creative and emotionally gripping, The Lost Souls of Guayaquil is an original and thought-provoking novel about life, death, and what defines us in between.

In a clash of beliefs, destinies, and capitalist ambitions, a young woman is torn between fighting beside her oppressed people and staying loyal to her supernatural calling as a healer. An intrepid journalist pushes back against the government's sinister manipulation of the press, even if that means landing a target on his back. The reluctant souls of the dead, frustrated at the fate of their still-living loved ones, and unwilling to fully pass into the afterlife, seek justice for those they left behind.

This masterful piece of magical realism is intimately tied to class struggle, political violence, and societal inequity, themes that feel timely and relatable to today's readers. The straightforward narration is visceral, personal, and richly layered with cultural detail, bringing scenes and characters to believable life. The depth of detail depicting the spiritual and healing practices found in Ecuador is immersive and fascinating, while the author's intensely journalistic tone will leave jaws dropped with the sheer power of the prose.

This surreal plunge into the past and beyond is difficult to put down - or forget.