"Natural Histories" by Guadalupe Nettel *****

• Short Stories
• Mexican author
• Originally published in 2013
• Epigraphs:
• "All animals know what it is they need, except for man." - Pliny the Elder
• "Man belongs to an animal species that when injured can become particularly ferocious" - Gao Xingjian
• "The Marriage of Red Fish":
• Siamese fighting fish parallel a marriage
• "Fish are perhaps the only domestic animals that don't make noise.  But they taught me that screams can be silent."
• "Compared to a river or even a small pond, an aquarium, no matter how large, is a space too small for beings dissatisfied and inclined towards unhappiness, such as Betta splendens. Some people have similar minds.  There is not enough space therein for happy thoughts or lovely versions of reality."
• "War In The Trash Cans":
• Cockroaches fascinate a lonely young child
• "Nothing like a family secret to strengthen unity between its members."

• "Felina":
• a cat parallels a sad woman's pregnancy

• "Fungus":
• a fungus parallels a love affair
• "Loves are often born unforeseen, of spontaneous conception."
• "Any parasite, as harmless as it may be, has the uncontrollable need to spread.  It is important to limit it, or else it will invade us entirely."
• "In his life, I am an infallible ghost he can summon.  In mine, he is a free spirit that sometimes appears."

•  "The Snake from Beijin":
• a poisonous snake parallels a man's loss of his lover
• "Dad himself told me that in China the snake is a symbol of healing and the continuation of life.  In the spring it sheds its skin and it is as if it's been reborn.  Adult children fulfill this same function.  They ensure the continuation of the story that began with their parents."

•  Review:  It is always a delight to come across a unique literary concept.  Guadalupe Nettel, a Mexican author, has written a small collection of fascinating stories in which each protagonist's life crisis is paralleled by another living creature.  Imagine having your life crisis compared to that of a poisonous Chinese viper, a Siamese fighting fish, cockroaches, a cat, or even a toe fungus.  I told you the stories are unique! Nettel's prose is taut and engaging.  I would recommend this collection for anyone who enjoys thinking outside the box, or can at least tolerate it!