The scholarly, yet concise and readable "Before the Boom: Latin American Revolutionary Novels of the 1920s," is a treasure, whether you are interested in Latino artistic contributions to world culture; the relationship between literary, political, and scientific disocurses, or the Taoist or postmodern nature of language. The book introduces English readers to a heretofore invisible area of Latin American literature known as Vanguardia: an artistic rebellion rich in innovation and technique (elsewhere known as Modernism), but overshadowed by the later Boom writers (1960s). On many levels, this is definitely a must-read. Dr. Martinez has done a fine job of rescuing a forgotten morsel of Latin American literature. Her book makes it possible to enjoy novels that not only preceded, but actually carved the way for the Boom and for many other "postmodern" writers.

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