I'd Love to Hear Charles de Lint's Thoughts, Too...

The Elegant Variation hosts an essay by Daniel A. Olivas about short stories that fall under the category of cuentos de fantasma:

"Novelist/short story writer Kathleen Alcalá asserts that cuentos de fantasma serve 'as a bridge between traditional storytelling and pulp fiction, incorporating elements of both.'  Alcalá identifies four elements common to these stories: (1) basis in oral tradition; (2) influence of folk religions; (3) use of vernacular forms; and (4) influence of life and culture from the United States side of the border.  She also notes that the fantasma 'has been used as a vehicle for conveying political and social truths that could be fatal if presented more baldly.'"

Some examples of Olivas' cuentos include "The Plumed Serpent of Los Angeles" and "Monk." Others can be found in his new collection, Devil Talk. Now, I would love to set up a dialogue between Olivas and Kelly Link, and since Kelly has a new collection of stories coming out this spring, maybe that's just what I'll do!