By Sierra Lockhart- DiN Fiction Editor
Your first impression of Five Midnights, by Ann Davela Cardinal, might be that it is simply a teenage story about monsters. However, there is a much deeper meaning behind the story, which makes it worth a read. In the novel, one of the main characters, Javier, is trying to find out why his group of childhood friends, nicknamed “Los Cangrejos,” are dying. There is, in fact, a monster involved, but not in the way you might think. The book takes an unusual twist when it comes to light that the boy’s actions led their mothers to unknowingly bring a mythological monster called, “El Cuco” to life.
The book is written from various points of view, cycling between 3 characters, all in Puerto Rico. The first of these is Lupe, a half-Puerto Rican teenager who is visiting her uncle. While there, she meets Javier. He is one of “Los Cangrejos,” who has cleaned himself up from drug addiction. The third character we hear from is Marisol, who is the sister of Vico- the first of “Los Cangrejos” to be killed. Together, Lupe and Javier work to solve the mystery of why the other “Cangrejos” are being killed the day before their 18th birthday.
Marisol is a particularly interesting character. From her, we get an understanding of the anger surrounding the growth and capitalization of Puerto Rico. Marisol is written as a very complex and dynamic character, who spends more than half of the book as an antagonist She seems mentally unstable at points, yet very intelligent and passionate about her family and country. The way her character was developed lends to a deep dynamic between all of the characters in this story.
There are also quite a few questions left at the end of the book that are better left to the reader's imagination. Was the monster called by the mothers when their children started getting into trouble? Or was the monster a manifestation of the mother’s fear? These questions are not explicitly answered in the book, but the reader is left enough clues throughout the story to put together their own answer. I feel this is better than a straightforward answer due to the moral we are meant to glean from the story.
Something else I enjoyed about Five Midnights is that it vividly brings the Latin culture of Puerto Rico to life. The detailed descriptions of the scenery, foods, smells, and sounds allow readers to feel fully immersed in this place, just as all of the characters do. Societal issues are also brought up in a way that feels relatable, even for someone who has never set foot in Puerto Rico. If you grew up in any small town that grew beyond its capacity, you will understand the anguish that these native Puerto Ricans are feeling in this neighborhood. Corporate greed pushes out people who have been there for generations, causing the young men involved in this to turn to dangerous ways of making money. Between the complex characterization, engaging plot, and immersive setting, Five Midnights is worth your time.
Sierra Lockhart is a working, single mom from Colorado who has always had a passion for reading and writing. She will be graduating from NMSU with a B.A in English/Rhetoric with a minor in creative writing in May 2022.
Comments