**Tijuanense Author Montserrat Rodríguez to Present Novel in La Paz**
Acclaimed writer Montserrat Rodríguez Ruelas from Baja California is set to present her novel “Aunque es de Noche” at the Children’s and Youth Book Fair (FILIJ) in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Born in Tijuana in 1993, Montserrat Rodríguez received the 2021 National Short Novel Prize “Amado Nervo” for her work, which was subsequently published in 2023 by the Autonomous University of Nayarit in collaboration with Ediciones del Lirio.
“Aunque es de Noche” explores a unique narrative through a poetic fable, seldom seen in Tijuana literature, offering an imaginative interpretation of reality. The story unfolds in the Tijuana River Canal, granting the river a narrative voice to tell the journey of Ulises, a young man living in the canal who dreams of reaching the sea. In a secondary storyline, the novel features a talking piñata that can communicate and even fly.
Discussing the inspiration behind her novel, Montserrat Rodríguez remarked, “Making the river the narrator and allowing a piñata to speak were crucial elements for me when imagining the story. Speculative fiction, or the literature of imagination, lets us envision other possible worlds. These tangible references, like the canalization, serve as the medium and origin of Ulises’ journey and the adventure Aura desires.”
The National Short Novel Prize “Amado Nervo” jury, comprising Emiliano Ruiz Parra, Susana Pagano, and Patricia Velasco, praised the novel as “ambitious and well-rounded,” highlighting its poetic prose and the way it weaves various narrative voices to describe harrowing scenarios with children as protagonists. The author will introduce “Aunque es de Noche” on Monday, November 11th, at the Municipal Arts Center as part of the FILIJ events in La Paz, Baja California Sur.
**Secondary Article: Montserrat Rodríguez Ruelas Celebrated for Creativity in Tijuana’s Literary Scene**
Montserrat Rodríguez Ruelas has gained recognition for her unique storytelling approach, bringing fresh perspectives to the literary scene in Tijuana. Her novel, “Aunque es de Noche,” has been lauded for not only its imaginative prose but also for its deeper social commentary on urban transformation and the human condition.
Critics and readers alike have praised Rodríguez for challenging traditional narrative structures by personifying elements like the river and a piñata. This method effectively draws attention to the environmental changes within urban landscapes and the emotional lives of residents. By giving a voice to water and a piñata, Rodríguez opens up a dialogue about how such elements are witnesses to the ongoing alterations in the city’s physical and social environment.
Her work symbolizes a broader trend in contemporary Mexican literature where writers engage with speculative and fantastical storytelling to address modern-day realities and concerns. As her novel continues to garner attention and accolades, Rodríguez stands as a figurehead for the vibrant, evolving literary community in northern Mexico.