In the latest addition to what is shaping up to be a formidable body of work by Orlando Ortega-Medina, “Emerald Road: A Tale of Love, War, and Betrayal” is an unforgettably cinematic story, and a prequel to his acclaimed novel “The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants” (2013).
Set in El Salvador on the eve of its violent civil war in the 1980s, “Emerald Road” features Isaac Perez and his extraordinary Australian cattle dog. Young Isaac aspires to become an astrophysicist, maybe an astronaut, but for the moment describes himself as “the personal punching bag of my brother Neto.”
Just as his brother Neto bullies him again without cause, an earthquake hits and Issac sees his chance to escape. He runs off to the cathedral and soon locks eyes with a handsome altar boy who ultimately proves unable to return Isaac’s love. After Isaac is framed for the death of a soldier, the two of them overcome nearly insurmountable odds to flee for El Norte.
A dog named Ahbhu
By far the best thing about “Emerald Road” is the close bond between Isaac and the irresistible stray pup with “an uncanny ability to read people’s character” named Ahbhu (which means father).
Isaac saves the puppy’s life at the start of the novel, and then later the dog saves Isaac’s life. Full of compassion and caring for the dog, Isaac nurses Ahbhu back to health. The unconditional love between them is tangible. A loyal and athletic canine, their bond is so intense that they can communicate telepathically.
It does not escape notice that the Australian cattle dog is also in a foreign land. The dog becomes his rock, his only constant friend as he makes the dangerous journey to California.
Despite his adult-sized problems, Isaac’s effervescent youth comes through at times, as when he meets the kind soul Diego and his father, Don Federico, an indigenous shaman in Mexico City. Surprisingly, Diego can understand Ahbhu telepathically, too. This is one of several hints of magical realism included in the book.
This is the fourth novel written by Ortega-Medina. Like many Latin Americans, he is of Jewish extraction. Born in Los Angeles, he studied English Literature at UCLA before studying Law. Ortega-Medina practiced criminal defense in Los Angeles and San Francisco before moving to Montreal in 1999, where he and his partner were among the first same-sex couples to marry in 2005. Ortega-Medina currently resides in London and practices U.S. immigration law in addition to writing fiction.
The political is personal
Especially today, immigration can be one of the most traumatic events a person can endure. Queer immigrants are often marginalized from every side, including from family. But no matter how chaotic their situation becomes as on their incredible journey Isaac meets people along the way who offer invaluable help, like queer advocate Suchi whose underground network helps gay migrants like Isaac.
“Isaac’s story is not just one of displacement or survival; it is also a tale of queer self-discovery, highlighting the emotional and physical toll that his identity as both a refugee and a queer man exacts on him. Through ‘Emerald Road,’ I aim to contribute to the growing body of fiction that centers on the often unheard and complex stories of queer immigrants,” writes Ortega-Medina in LGBTQ Reads.
“Emerald Road” is written in the tradition of groundbreaking queer books like Gloria Anzaldua’s “Borderlands” (1987), Ocean Vuong’s “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” (2019), and Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s “Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” (2012, feature film released in 2022).
In total, Ortega-Medina has vividly captured the feel of the expectant journey to the North. “Emerald Road,” as the name implies, is a road trip novel as fantastical and technicolor alive as “The Wizard of Oz.”
Although the plot is at times messy and the timeline of the story is not linear, it mirrors the chaos of Isaac Perez’s own life and the wider world they are trying to navigate. In the end, the author’s exploration of tensions between love and apathy, loyalty and betrayal in a time of war create a rich emotional landscape sensitive readers will very likely relish.
‘Emerald Road’ by Orlando Ortega-Medina, Amble Press, $20.95.
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