Press Archive

Praise for Come Together, Fall Apart:

“[A] dazzling new talent.… Henríquez’s voice is artfully simple and unembellished, soft yet quietly piercing.

Praise for Come Together, Fall Apart:

“…these fluid stories abound in beauty, irony, and magic. Like Junot Diaz and Daniel Alarcón, Henríquez is an immensely gifted young writer.”

“These stories, told in a direct and sparse style, are truly unforgettable. Cristina Henríquez’s young female protagonists are as haunting as the setting of Panama. I could not put aside this book.”

— Isabel Allende

“How does a young writer gather the wisdom, heart, and tenderness to write stories of such exquisite humanity? I can only guess she is an ancient soul, a zen master, a bruja, or all of the above. However it’s done, I bow deeply and welcome this first collection.”

— Sandra Cisneros

“This is no ordinary debut. In story after lyrical story, Cristina Henríquez challenges us to revisit the familiar terrain of love, family, and separation—and discover something new about ourselves. She writes with a rare delicacy and compassion. Her tales will lodge themselves deep in your heart.”

— Cristina Garcia

“This is a very finely-tuned collection of stories. What strikes me most is its bravery—both political and emotional. Henríquez is a ventriloquist for contemporary Panama, one who recognizes the plight of the dispossessed and the forgotten. The language is tamped down just enough to make their stories sing—and what they sing of feels heartfelt, original and true. A striking new voice, full of empathy, detail and imagination.”

— Colum McCann

“Cristina Henríquez writes stories of quiet violence and terrifying beauty. This is a truly exciting debut collection.”

— Daniel Alarcón

“There’s a restlessness to these rich and passionate stories. It’s clear that they each needed to be told, and now they need to be read. Cristina Henríquez’s voice feels as real as the world she writes about.”

— Oscar Casares

Cristina was a guest on The Talk Show, a weekday radio show on the Dallas-Fort Worth NPR affiliate, KERA.

Praise for Come Together, Fall Apart:

“[A] heart-stopping collection of stories.… Henríquez’s writing is vibrant, her affecting portraits of Panama’s young women ultimately a celebration of humanity, with all its flaws.”

“Who’s going to have a breakout year in 2006? Our critics take a look at entertainers and artists who haven’t gotten your attention yet—but probably will in the coming year.”

Cristina was one of six writers featured in “Texas Writers Observed: An alternative waltz across Texas.”