El Paso Matters Book Club Daniel Chacon Last Philosophers Photos

The El Paso Matters Book Club met on Tuesday, July 2, at the Westside Branch of the El Paso Public Library for a discussion with author Daniel Chacón about his book “The Last Philosopher in Texas: Fictions and Superstitions.”

The event highlighted the club’s mission to promote local authors and showcase the talents of the border community. The discussion was led by Jeff Sirkin, an associate professor in the creative writing department at the University of Texas at El Paso and author of the poetry collection “Travelers Aid Society.” He introduced Chacón, a professor and head of the creative writing department at UTEP. Sirkin gave an overview of Chacón’s extensive body of work, which includes “Kafka in a Skirt: Stories from the Wall,” “The Cholo Tree,” “Hotel Juárez: Stories, Rooms, and Loops” and more. He also mentioned Chacón’s literary radio show on KTEP, “Words on a Wire.”

Chacón gave insight into his writing process, explaining that he writes stories the way he sees reality. In a recent interview, he said that understanding abstract, metaphysical and intellectual forms of realism allows one to “predict the future more effectively and direct energy in ways” that some might find “magical.”

The characters and fictional short stories in The Last Philosopher in Texas emerged from this mix of ideas. The discussion delved deeply into the themes and narratives of Chacón’s book.

The event concluded with announcements from the El Paso Matters team. They unveiled the next book for the club, “Retablos” by Octavio Solis, a memoir of growing up near the U.S.-Mexico border. Solis, an acclaimed playwright, is known for works that both speak to and transcend the Mexican American experience. His most recent play, “Mother Road,” premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theater in California.

To learn more about the El Paso Matters Book Club and sign up for our free newsletter, visit the El Paso Matters Books page.