C. M. Mayo must receive kudos for this bilingual literary journal. Her goal is, in some ways, modest: to bring new Canadian, Mexican and U.S. writing to readers of English and Spanish. The execution of this goal, however, cannot be dismissed as simple. Anyone who has read different translations of the same work realizes that a bad translation can suck the soul out of a fine piece of literature. Here, with works translated either from English to Spanish, or vice versa, nothing is lost. This first issue of Tameme includes short stories, poems and essays by such wonderful writers as Margaret Atwood, Juan Villoro and Jaime Sabines, to name a few of the many authors featured. My favorite piece is "New York Day Women," by Edwidge Danticat, but there is something here for everyone. If you love literary journals, this one is a must.

Tameme makes a huge contribution to the literary scene of North America,as it makes available in the same volume exquisite writing from Canada,Mexico and the United States.But probably its main virtue is that it presents the pieces written in the original language and then translated either to Spanish or English.All of the translations are as beautiful as the original pieces.The editors should also be commended for the excellent presentation of the book.I will be anxiously waiting for a new number in what should become a series!