Three Alarm Fire is the book our world needs now
By Maggie Block (who is quite liberally taking from Juan Carlos Reyes’ own words about his fourth coming book Three Alarm Fire)
When Marcus and I first sat down to meet with Juan Carlos Reyes and decided to publish his collection of short stories, Fall of 2024 felt so far a way! Now suddenly I find myself less the a week a way from Three Alarm Fire’s launch date. It’s hard to believe we’re about to put this book out into the world. And yet it is a literary work that I believe is vital to the world we’re living in today.
In Juan Carlos Reyes' Three Alarm Fire, I find a profound exploration of trauma intertwined with healing, an exploration that resonates deeply in our current societal landscape. Each story serves as a testament to the duality of our existence: the reality of tragedy and the necessity of connection. Reyes expertly navigates these themes, urging us to confront the urgent fires of our time, from gun violence to systemic injustice, while reminding us of the potential for intimacy and artistic expression to offer solace and hope.
The title itself is a clarion call. It compels us to acknowledge the emergencies we face—both personal and communal. In the stories, we encounter characters grappling with profound grief and fear, yet within these narratives lies the seed of resilience. It’s in these moments of vulnerability that Reyes illustrates the power of relationships. Love, friendship, and community emerge as antidotes to despair, reinforcing the idea that healing often arises from our connections to one another. In a world rife with division, these stories remind us that intimacy is not just a refuge; it’s a revolutionary act.
As I reflect on the intersections of Reyes’ themes with our broader societal context, I am struck by the urgency of the narratives in light of the United State’s continued state violence against poor people of color within our boarders, and across the globe in Palestine and Lebanon. With an upcoming election, that while I would argue does have a worse candidate, offers no vision to end this unnecessary violence from either party’s leadership; the stakes feel incredibly high, and the air is thick with anxiety. Each of Reyes; stories confront the visceral realities of our time: the trauma of school shootings, the complexities of gender and racial violence, and the confrontations with authority that so many endure. These tales echo the experiences of countless individuals who navigate a landscape marked by fear and uncertainty.
Yet, amid this chaos, Three Alarm Fire does not succumb to nihilism. Instead, it champions the transformative power of art and expression. The characters’ attempts to create and connect act as a lifeline, illuminating pathways to hope. It’s a reminder that, despite the weight of our circumstances, we possess the agency to shape our narratives. Through art, we can articulate our pain, process our traumas, and envision a better future. This resonates strongly with the mission and values Hinton Publishing is built on: the belief in community, the fight for justice, and the unwavering commitment to uplift underinvited voices.
In embracing the healing that Reyes offers through his stories, I am reminded of the importance of collective action. Just as the characters in Three Alarm Fire find solace in one another, we too must cultivate a sense of solidarity in the face of societal challenges. We must harness our collective voices to address the systemic issues that threaten our communities. The fires of injustice may seem overwhelming, but together, through love, art, and activism, we can extinguish those flames and build a more compassionate world.
Ultimately, Three Alarm Fire serves as both a mirror and a guide. It reflects the traumas that permeate our lives while illuminating the pathways toward healing. Reyes invites us to confront our fears head-on but also inspires us to nurture the relationships and creativity that can guide us through the darkness. In doing so, he reminds us that while we may be living through a time of crisis, we are equally capable of fostering connection and crafting a more hopeful narrative for ourselves and our society.