There is a stretch of land off the southeastern coast of Texas, making up the town of Galveston. It’s a resort-esque destination for local-ish tourists, and home to a diverse population of Texans. It’s here that Kimberly Garza sets her debut novel, The Last Karankawas. Kimberly focuses her story on a cast of Mexican and Filipino American characters, all with their own complicated relationship with their ancestry.
As we come to know them — and come to be swept up in their personal dramas and struggles — we are brought along on a tour through Galveston culture as well as the rich history that often comes with deep dives into familial ties and lore. Then, the poetry in Kimberly’s writing rises with the tides that come in with the arrival of Hurricane Ida. Her telling of the harrowing experience of those moments — and all that came before — will leave you completely invested in the lives of all those who have graced the pages of this book.
The Last Karankawas
by Kimberly Garza
 |  |
| Red wine pairing: Castellani Sangiovese | Rosé pairing: Gruet Domaine Saint Vincent Sparkling Rosé |
| To pair perfectly with our recipe below, you’ll want a bold, savory red. Consider a Sangiovese, like this Castellani Sangiovese from Tuscany. It’s a little bit fruity, but leans heavily toward the earthier, woodsier side of the spectrum. It will stand up well to the strong flavors in our main dish! | We went a bit west to New Mexico for this week’s light pick, and are bringing you the Gruet Domaine Saint Vincent Sparkling Rosé. In spite of the weight of the subject matter that Kimberly Garza presents us, her writing remains zippy and quick — which begged for something a little bit bubbly. What’s more: a sparkling rosé feels a little bit resort-ish to us, nodding to the Galveston that so many visitors have come to love. (Plus it’s helping us hold on just a little bit longer to a summertime feeling.) |
Califas Shrimp
From Diasporican: : A Puerto Rican Cookbook by Illyanna Maisonet
Throughout The Last Karankawas, we’re afforded brief glimpses into the shrimping industry. With that, we’re inspired to keep things coastal with this Califas Shrimp from Illyanna Maisonet’s James Beard Award-worthy cookbook Diasporican. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, make sure to make the Funche as your meal’s base as well.
INGREDIENTS
|
STEPS
|
FUNCHE INGREDIENTS
|
STEPS
|
| Reprinted with permission from Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook by Illyanna Maisonet copyright ©2022. Photo copyright © 2022 by Dan Liberti. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. |
The Last Karankawas inspired us to think a little bit more about islands — the kind that typically come to mind when we hear the word, as well as those that aren’t immediately conjured. We landed, ultimately, on the book Kinfolk Islands, a gorgeous and well-written collection of island snapshots stretching around the globe. This is one coffee table book that won’t simply serve as an extra-pretty coaster.
Get the book.
Kimberly Garza grew up in the town of Uvalde, Texas. Once known for its rivers, it’s tragically better known now for the school shooting that ended with the death of 21 innocent people in May 2022. In this recent essay for Texas Highways, Kimberly reflects on her childhood alongside the rushing water of Uvalde’s rivers, and takes us beyond, to the time leading up to the death of her mother, her visits home while in grad school after. She brings us a meditation on water and all the memory and meaning it holds, not least of all alongside grief, alongside tragedy. Take a few minutes to read this gift of an essay from Kimberly, whose nonfiction prose is as purely beautiful as her novel.
Read the essay.
If The Last Karankawas has left you curious about Galveston as a trip destination, you’re not alone. We went down a bit of a journey digging into all of the interesting and worthwhile things about this strip of Texan coast. Care to take a look yourself? Peep this guide courtesy of the exploration aficionados at Travel & Leisure.
Read the guide.