La Ranfla and Other New Mexico Stories

Martha Egan's collection of seven short stories transcends the limits of regionalism. In "Carnales," a grudge lasting generations ends with a standoff in a village cemetery. The unruly dog in "Mutt" helps a young silversmith learn to stand her ground. In "Time Circles" a trip to a ceremonial in Navajo Country encourages a woman to open both a new business and her heart. The veterinarian in "Guapo" rescues a dog that changes her life forever. A pair of newly arrived hippies learn to play by New Mexico's rules in "La Ranfla." A broken down MGB strands a college boy in a border town in "Granny," where local life proves to be unexpectedly seductive. "In , Martha Egan captures the quirkiness of Northern New Mexico in a series of colorfully drawn short stories rich with wonderfully authentic characters. It's a fine, fine ride."—Anne Hillerman, author of and