(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“Being a migrant means feeding yourself on loss, on what could have been, the infinite possible nuances of that history which will forever remain hidden but present.”
Seven million Venezuelan’s left their country since the mid-2010s due to violence, scarcity and desperation. The twelve fictional stories in From Savagery, remind us of the plight of these people from the perspective of the individual. Most deal with emigrating from Caracas to Barcelona. Some of these immigrants are legal, some illegal, but most live in the shadows. From a prostitute to food/delivery riders on bikes to a drug dealer back in Caracas. Some cannot even afford to feed themselves, though they are always working.
Though all the stories are riveting, one heart wrenching story features women who demonstrate beauty products. Their employer takes advantage of them, including telling male customers when they will be off work. He has the upper hand since his employees are working illegally. But when one goes missing, her friend is ridden with guilt.
When crimes are committed against the undocumented, they are afraid to go to the police because of their immigration status. Of course, this problem exists throughout the world, and the author reminds us in these personal stories.
Issues of class are also explored. In “I Already Know”, one reoccurring protagonist Nanda, meets a friend from a wealthy family who keeps trying to find herself. Fighting for her latest cause, she becomes a “okupa” (squatter). Nanda questions these youth protesters as she feels that they don’t understand or care about the real issues.
We meet some of these individuals several times throughout the book, as they depend on friends for their emotional support. The stories are real and raw; nothing is sugarcoated.
Make sure you read “A Note From the Translator” at the end of the book. Translator Katie Brown provides crucial context for the stories. She not only offers a history of the current Venezuelan crisis but also delves into the political and social dynamics of Barcelona, shedding light on the specific challenges these immigrants face in the city.
From Savagery is a haunting, must-read read that gives a voice to those who are often voiceless. Through these stories, Venezuelan author Alejandra Banca reminds us of the human cost of displacement and the resilience of those who, despite everything, continue to strive for a better life.
