Readers Club Reviews
Manuel Nava Leal appears to dig deep into a bag of experiences and gallery of ideas that have been brewing in his head. In a style sometimes reminiscent of a cryptic Hitchcock tale with a perusing, almost comical Salingeresque touch, he beads a string of short stories that keep the reader intrigued and fascinated. Manuel puts you right in the front row exploring and experiencing what the characters are observing or endeavoring in.
It doesn’t hurt to be somewhat familiar with
Manuel’s background and the territorial surroundings where he grew
up. It vividly brings
you “Back to the Days”.
You may be able to appreciate and identify with some of the settings
(physically and emotionally) and characters in many of the stories.
However, this familiarity is not essential.
One can learn a little about the culture of a boy growing up
in the southernmost part of
The topics in Manuel’s stories are very original as well as diverse and delightful. - Jorge Palomarez
Let’s give praise to Manuel Nava Leal for his new and very entertaining collection of short stories that he has wrote over the past twenty years, which we has placed in one novel for us all to enjoy and read for our entertainment. It is a pretty good read and if you happen to be into short stories, then this is a book you must add to your collection. He bases some of his stories on his past while he also writes some from pure imagination. His stores range from subtle to the not so subtle. Add this book of short stories to your collection of books today. – S. Raborn
Mr. Leal has quite an imagination which is
evident in the worlds he creates.
He also shins when writing of social issues such as face and
prejudice.
Mysterious
Memories is a voyage into the unknown and back. – D.
Hernandez
I recommend this book for those individuals who like a good short story. As well as those looking for some inspiration and the occasional story of redemption. Not to mention a few that will send chills up your spine. T he stores are well written but some come up a bit short and keep you wondering whether these was more to it. Besides that, it was an enjoyable book. – M. Carrion
This book is a great read for a read-a-loud camp fire scenario. The stories all seen to start out innocently and grow darker by the minute. The pages kept turning just to see what Manuel would come up with next. – S. Kelm
A good book, interesting stories. It could have more detail in some stories. It could be longer in a few stories. I believe that if someone took the time on "Martins Escape", the "13’s" and "Natie", I think that they would be excellent stories. – B. Sgarlafa
The stories were rather disjointed. I found most of them were only poorly organized. There was little plot in most of the stories and the climax seemed rather disjointed from the main body of the tale. However, several of the stories were enjoyable. The “Rocking Chair, “Natie”, Qualemortl”, “Indio” and “Lucifer Lost” were most enjoyable. – R. Cizmar
Mysterious Memories
Publishers Price $12.95 Suggested Retail Price $14.95
Mysterious Memories is a collection of short stories that leaves one to wonder if it is fiction or non-fiction.
Manuel writes with such honesty and accuracy that it takes the reader on a ride through time, space and reality.
Mysterious Memories is the second book by the talented playwright and author Manuel Nava Leal available through Creative House Press, it will clearly not be his last.