Books

Shortlisted for the 2026 Spain-USA Foundation Translation Award, The Cracks We Bear opens as a story about new motherhood. Soon, however, it reveals itself to be an exploration of memory and trauma as Laura starts to recall her childhood in Chile. Born in exile to staunchly communist parents, she returns to Chile with her mother after the collapse of the Pinochet dictatorship. In the fledgling democracy she grows up in, topics of capitalism and communism are ever present. Laura’s reflections, born from personal experience, are interwoven with raw and honest memories of her family life. Borrowing elements from the Bildungsroman, and pulling from the Latin American short story tradition, Catalina Infante recounts Laura’s past in vignettes. Piece by piece, the short chapters come together like a reconstructed vase, bearing its cracks.

Michelle's translation of “A Body” by Chilean author Catalina Infante Beovic, originally published in Columbia Journal, is featured in this anthology. Her translation of “Chess Piece” by Ecuadorian author Natalia García Freire, originally published in The Arkansas International, is recognized on the longlist.

Michelle has three translations featured in this anthology: “Streets” by Granta-recognized Peruvian author Miluska Benavides, “Crossing” by Ecuadorian author Natalia García Freire, and “Green Gold, Blue Gold” by Chilean author Catalina Infante Beovic.