Dichos En Nichos

Sage Vogel (Author), Jim Vogel (By (artist)), Christen Vogel (By (artist))

9780826367853

Hardback, published 11 March 2025

152 pages, 39 Illustrations
20.3 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.394 kg

"Dichos en Nichos evokes the inimitable character of Northern New Mexico's small Hispanic communities through rich prose and vivid artwork." - Don J. Usner, author of Chasing Dichos through Chimayó

Sage Vogel's debut short-story collection invites readers into the heart of a proverbial 1950s Northern New Mexico village, where the fruit orchards, arroyo roads, adobe homes, and even pigsties hold tales of wit, romance, woe, and wisdom.

Dichos en Nichos contains ten interconnected stories enriched by original dichos—pithy folk sayings presented in both Spanish and English—that are shared among the colorful cast of characters. The dichos offer guidance, caution, and comfort as the townsfolk navigate themes of identity, community, loss, and love. From tales of sacrifice and survival to those of intimacy and independence, each story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

Created in collaboration with each story is a nicho—an oil painting set in an antique frame—created by renowned Southwestern artists Christen and Jim Vogel. These fine artworks serve as both vibrant altars and vivid windows into a village brimming with the dynamic rhythms of life, from poetry and music to tragedy and scandal.

Dichos en Nichos offers a captivating and immersive experience that invites readers to explore the heart and soul of a distinct setting in a bygone era. Through its inspired blending of vernacular language, compelling cultural themes, and masterful artwork, this collection of stories will leave an enduring, endearing impression on all who enter its beautifully crafted and wholly unforgettable world.

• Introduction
• 1. La urraca y el burro / The Magpie and the Donkey
• 2. Las frutas y el disfrute / Fruits and Fancies
• 3. Bien pedo / Dirty Stinking Drunk
• 4. La comunió
  n del chisme / Talk of the Town
• 5. El coyote y el cuervo / The Coyote and the Crow
• 6. Poesí
  a, mú
  sica y amor / Poetry, Music, and Love
• 7. El rito de trampas / The Catch
• 8. El intercambio / The Exchange
• 9. El nido / The Nest
• 10. Entre poco y nada / Between a Little and Nothing
• About the Author and Artists