Old California Strikes Back
Novel
“Old California Strikes Back is that rare thing: a truly original work.” --Cristina Garcia
“This is our literature of replenishment at its best!” —Frederick Luis Aldama
“Duncan kicks up a lot of dust with his novel, unsettling any notion about a fixed and figured out Chicano identity, and pissing off the heroes who were probably just villains all along.” --Matthew David Goodwin
“Laced with sharp insights, bold critiques and acerbic humor, this book is crazy fun.” —Alejandro Murguía
Old California Strikes Back is a magical memoir and meta-novel that chronicles the journey of its mixed-race author—SRD—as he dismantles the myths surrounding Californios and the Chicano condition. Accompanied by the talking head of the folk hero Joaquin Murrieta, he records his journey on a guidebook by a self-styled Zorro as they race to grab the “Jewels of Ramona” the last unstolen relic of mythic Old California. Through this internal tour of history, personal and collective, SRD reconnects with his Californio Mexican and Native ancestors, who endured two waves of colonization, and creates a dream where he can truly belong.
“This is our literature of replenishment at its best!” —Frederick Luis Aldama
“Duncan kicks up a lot of dust with his novel, unsettling any notion about a fixed and figured out Chicano identity, and pissing off the heroes who were probably just villains all along.” --Matthew David Goodwin
“Laced with sharp insights, bold critiques and acerbic humor, this book is crazy fun.” —Alejandro Murguía
Old California Strikes Back is a magical memoir and meta-novel that chronicles the journey of its mixed-race author—SRD—as he dismantles the myths surrounding Californios and the Chicano condition. Accompanied by the talking head of the folk hero Joaquin Murrieta, he records his journey on a guidebook by a self-styled Zorro as they race to grab the “Jewels of Ramona” the last unstolen relic of mythic Old California. Through this internal tour of history, personal and collective, SRD reconnects with his Californio Mexican and Native ancestors, who endured two waves of colonization, and creates a dream where he can truly belong.
Check out chapters published online:
"The Head Joaquin" at Label Me Latina/o
"M'ijo Don't Dance With No White Devil" at Pithead Chapel
"Wrath of Mom" at Diagram
"My Heart is Bathed in Chilis" at Somos enescrito
"The Head Joaquin" at Label Me Latina/o
"M'ijo Don't Dance With No White Devil" at Pithead Chapel
"Wrath of Mom" at Diagram
"My Heart is Bathed in Chilis" at Somos enescrito
Plurality
Short story collection
Plurality is a short story collection that also leans into speculative genre as it depends who reads it: Either Plurality is a work that calls for decolonial potential for la raza or Plurality is a Mexican flavored ending to the status quo, a Mexpocalyse. Plurality casts a vision to the looming future of the Chicanx condition as it morphs into the biggest group around in North America. Are you afraid or are you down?
Read about a young vato who wakes up with a bad case of the gringo. Read about an accountant who finds out there are greater mysteries in numbers than some cycle ending. Read about how you are a Vilgante Oscuro (a dark watcher) a traditional Californio tale about spirits, who just watch, no matter how dark the deed. Read about how a young man, the hope of the family, emerges old from VR stasis, and wonders if it’s too late for him. Read about the about the Mexpocalypse, what new stories and new peoples could arise in the searing destruction, read the titular story about what transformation might happen when too many brown people get together and a woman’s choice about entering the branching bronze goo.
Read about a young vato who wakes up with a bad case of the gringo. Read about an accountant who finds out there are greater mysteries in numbers than some cycle ending. Read about how you are a Vilgante Oscuro (a dark watcher) a traditional Californio tale about spirits, who just watch, no matter how dark the deed. Read about how a young man, the hope of the family, emerges old from VR stasis, and wonders if it’s too late for him. Read about the about the Mexpocalypse, what new stories and new peoples could arise in the searing destruction, read the titular story about what transformation might happen when too many brown people get together and a woman’s choice about entering the branching bronze goo.
Check out published chapters:
"Wake Up Gringo" The Ghost Story 2021.
"Mexican American Psycho is in Your Dreams" Solstice Magazine 2019.
"Wake Up Gringo" The Ghost Story 2021.
"Mexican American Psycho is in Your Dreams" Solstice Magazine 2019.