Nonfiction Review: Hunter of Stories is an inaccurate title. Eduardo Galeano (1940-2015) doesn't just hunt stories, he captures stories and polishes them into little glowing nuggets of truth. This book consists of many, many brief notes, a paragraph or three (rarely more) about political, social, and religious history collected and selected by the Uruguayan writer. Here the parts seem greater than the whole, like standing too close a pointillist painting, but there are many elements I enjoyed about Hunter of Stories. Although Galeano finds his inspiration all over the planet, the greater focus is on America, by which we mean the Americas. Today while "America" is common and widely accepted shorthand for "The United States of," I appreciate how Galeano uses "America" to illustrate the commonalities of our history on this side of the globe, while never forgetting the peoples who were here before the Europeans arrived (taught that Balboa was the first to see both oceans simultaneously, a young Galeano asked, "Miss, were the Indians blind?" His brief stories shine light on history, on corporate greed, the environment, women's rights, philosophy, imperialism, climate change, oppressive governments, and soccer as well as indigenous myths, legends, and tales (some tall). If any of these issues speak to you, you will find a moment of inspiration in Hunter of Stories, something collected just for you and you'll learn something. I did. Some stories are about Phillis Wheatley, Franco, Garbo, Agatha Christie, Lenin, and endless more. It's all about our shared humanity and history. Moments of wisdom: Pepe Barrientos's mother said, "Pity the poor souls who spend their lives comparing themselves to others." Galeano himself describes it as "a will for justice and an urge for beauty, unbound by the borders of maps and time." An indescribable book, you must find it for yourself. [3½★]
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