The Tapestry of Memory: A Review of Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr.
As a longtime reader of works that bridge personal narratives with broader historical contexts, Ruben Reyes Jr.’s Archive of Unknown Universes instantly captured my attention. Fresh off the heartfelt pages of his debut short story collection There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven, Reyes Jr. invites readers into a world where the past and present intertwine, illuminating the complex threads of memory, love, and the immigrant experience.
At the heart of this novel are Ana and Luis, two Harvard students grappling with their identities and histories in a modern academic setting while simultaneously wrestling with the weight of familial secrets. The dual timelines—2018 Cambridge and 1978-1980 El Salvador—create a rich tapestry of storytelling connected by the enigmatic Defractor, a device that gives them glimpses into alternate lives. Reyes Jr. beautifully articulates the immigrant’s perennial question: "What if we had never left?" This query resonates deeply, particularly as Ana delves into her mother Felicia’s Salvadoran past, while Luis uncovers forbidden love letters belonging to his great-uncle Neto, a guerrillero shaped by the revolutionary fervor of his time.
Reyes Jr. masterfully mirrors the central couples across time, establishing a literary palindrome that enriches both timelines. The profound connection between Ana and Luis and their historical counterparts Neto and Rafael reveals how love fuels personal and political resistance. The author’s treatment of their romance exposes the fragility and potency of affection amid chaos, poignantly captured in Neto’s letters. One particularly striking line reads, "Remember that I loved you, even when I hurt you and you hurt me." This not only evokes the dual nature of love as a sanctuary and vulnerability but also serves as a reminder that love can flourish even in adversity.
What I found remarkably refreshing was Reyes Jr.’s narrative restraint in using the Defractor. Rather than a flashy sci-fi contraption, it becomes a thought-provoking symbol of the choices left unmade and the silences that shape history. Through this lens, the novel probes deeply into how trauma transcends generations, revealing the protective yet isolating nature of silence within marginalized families.
While I found the pacing occasionally uneven, with the contemporary segments at times feeling less compelling than their historical counterparts, I believe this emphasizes the thematic quagmire of inherited trauma. The resolution, although emotionally rewarding, tipped slightly toward neatness, contrasting with the earlier exploration of life’s messiness. Still, this minor critique does little to detract from the rich, immersive experience Reyes Jr. crafts here.
Archive of Unknown Universes is essential reading for anyone eager to uncover the layers between historical narratives and lived experiences. Whether you’re drawn to multifaceted love stories, tales of personal resistance, or an exploration of the complexities of the Central American diaspora, there’s something in these pages for you. As I closed the book, I found myself reflecting on how Reyes Jr. illuminates the spaces between what we inherit and what we strive to create. For me, it felt like journeying through a tapestry of memories that are both universal and deeply personal, urging us to confront our own silences and the choices that define us.
Discover more about Archive of Unknown Universes on GoodReads >>