Furia (novel)

Furia

First edition
Author	Yamile Saied Mendez
Language	English
Genre	Young Adult Fiction
Set in	Rosario, Argentina
Publisher	Algonquin Young Readers
Publication date	September 15, 2020
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print
Pages	368
Awards	Pura Belpré Award
ISBN	1-616-20991-7
Website	https://yamilesmendez.com/book/furia

Furia is a young adult fiction novel written by Yamile Saied Mendez. The main character, Camila, is a 17 year old living in modern-day Rosario, Santa Fe in Argentina. She aspires to be a great soccer star, but her home and love life gets in the way.

Furia received the Pura Belpré Award medal for Young Adult Narrative in 2021.

Plot

The novel begins with Camila Hassan leaving her home to secretly play in a soccer match (referred to as fútbol). Camila's sports activities become increasingly difficult to keep secret as her fame grows and her lover arrives back in town. Throughout the novel, Camilia struggles with injuries, sexism and familial conflicts.

Characters

• Camila Hassan (main character): nicknamed La Furia, meaning "The Fury."
• Roxana: Camila's closest friend, who plays fútbol on the same team Camila does.
• Pablo Hassan: Camila's brother, a skilled fútbol player in a national league.
• Diego Ferrari: Camila's lover, a major league fútbol player from the same barrio as Camila.
• Camila's parents: referred to as Mami and Papa. Their actual names are Isabel and Andres. Camila has a close, albeit rocky, relationship with her mother and a bad relationship with her father.

Release

Furia was published in hardback and ebook formats on September 15, 2020 through Algonquin Young Readers.[1] An audiobook adaptation narrated by Sol Madariaga was released simultaneously through Workman Audio.[2] A paperback edition was released through Algonquin Young Readers on February 15, 2022.[1]

Themes

Furia contains themes about coming of age and intersectional feminist outlooks, while also highlighting Argentinian culture.[3][4]

Reception

The Chicago Review of Books reviewed Furia, praising the character of Camila and the romance between her and Diego as "genuine and emotionally earned".[5] Common Sense Media gave the work 5 out of 5 stars, highlighting it as having positive role models and messages.[6]

Awards

• Pura Belpré Award medal for Young Adult Narrative (2021, won)[4]

References

1. Méndez, Yamile Saied (2020). Furia. Chapel Hill, North Carolina. ISBN 978-1-61620-991-9. OCLC 1154109065.
2. Méndez, Yamile Saied; Madariaga, Sol; hoopla digital (2020). Furia. ISBN 978-1-64904-011-4. OCLC 1202674722.
3. Howe, Meg (May 22, 2021). "The Future Is Feminist: Ten Books to Start Your Feminist Children's Library at Home". Ms. Magazine. Feminist Majority Foundation. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
4. Bowles, David. "Un Poquito Complicated: Spanish and the Pura Belpre Award". The Horn Book Magazine. 97 (3): 36.
5. St Jude, Jen (September 16, 2020). "Incorrigible Passion in "Furia"". Chicago Review of Books. StoryStudio Chicago. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
6. Cosola, Mary. "Furia Book Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

External links

• Review at the Daily Utah Chronicle