In her recent novel, God Went Like That, Yxta Maya Murray, a novelist, art critic, playwright, and Loyola Law School professor, delves into the harrowing incidents of nuclear reactor meltdowns that occurred at California’s Santa Susana Field Laboratory between 1959 and 1968. Released by Curbstone Books on March 2023, Murray’s work takes the form of an EPA report by federal agent Reyna Rodriguez, who investigates the long-term effects of these disasters on local communities.
The narrative uniquely combines fiction with non-fiction techniques, presenting interviews with individuals impacted by the mishaps. According to an overview from Stanford Law School, Murray’s detailed account reveals a toxic legacy of contamination and cancer clusters, left behind even after the laboratory was dismantled by the US government.
Critics have praised the novel for its multi-disciplinary approach and narrative depth. Publishers Weekly commends Murray for shining through this ambitious project, while the Los Angeles Review of Books highlights the rich literary dimensions that make the text both engaging and informative. Héctor Tobar, author of The Last Great Road Bum, remarks that Murray displays her writing at the height of her powers in this novel.
For readers interested in environmental issues, historical events, and their socio-legal implications, God Went Like That offers a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.