Seva (Puerto Rico)

Seva is a fictional town described in the novel "Seva", by Puerto Rican writer Luis López Nieves.

"Seva" is considered the most important short story ever published in Puerto Rico. It has sold many editions and is studied in every school. There are extensive critical studies about this town and book, mostly in Spanish.

Origin of the name

In various interviews Luis López Nieves has explained that he wanted to invent a town with a name similar to "Ceiba", a real Puerto Rican town. Therefore, he chenged the "C" into an "S", eliminated the "I", and transformed the "B" into "V". The result was the name of his fictional town: "Seva".

History

The date of the foundation of Seva is unknown, but the town's death in August of 1898 is amply documented in the book " [http://www.ciudadseva.com/libros/seva.htm Seva] ", by Luis López Nieves. On May 5, 1898, during the Hispanic-American War, the invasion of Puerto Rico began when the US Army disembarked on the beaches of the small town of Seva. The residents mounted a ferocious opposition and stopped the Army at the beach until August 6, 1898, when they were surrounded by an additional army that had landed on the southwestern coast of the island. Due to the heroic resistance of the town, on August 10, 1898, the US Army shot the 720 citizens of Seva that had been captured alive in the final battle.

Location

Eastern coast of Puerto Rico.

References

* " [http://www.ciudadseva.com/libros/seva.htm Seva] ", the book that recounts the Massacre of Seva.
* " [http://www.ciudadseva.com Ciudad Seva] ", home page of the author of "Seva".
* " [http://www.ciudadseva.com/obra/pre2000/ei01.htm Time for a "Re-View" of a Great Literary Event] ", article in English by Dr. Estelle Irizarry of Georgetown University.
* " [http://www.ciudadseva.com/obra/2006/08/15ago06/15ago06.htm Review] " of Seva in Críticas Magazine, New York, in English.
* " [http://www.ciudadseva.com/obra/m-eng.htm Bibliography] " about Luis López Nieves in English.