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7.43k reviews for:
La Casa En Mango Street/The House On Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros, Sandra Cisneros, Elena Poniatowska
3.76 AVERAGE
7.43k reviews for:
La Casa En Mango Street/The House On Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros, Sandra Cisneros, Elena Poniatowska
3.76 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
My wife asked me if I had ever read this one and recommended I give it a try. I saw it was a short read, so I spent a couple of hours with it. Funny enough, I ended up reading this brief novel full of quirky characters and quiet rituals at a time in my life when I’ve grown up and started to miss the family traditions and childlike curiosity I once took for granted.
The story is set in a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago. Esperanza and her family have just moved into the house on Mango Street. After moving many times, Esperanza is hopeful this new place will be the home her parents always dreamed of. Even though it turns out to be small and not at all what she imagined, by the end of the novel, Esperanza comes to realize that the experiences and memories she gained on Mango Street have shaped her—and will stay with her for the rest of her life.
We meet many neighborhood characters through the narration of a young Esperanza. Despite her limited childhood perspective, the story touches on weighty themes like race, fleeting youth, economic and societal challenges, and the complexities of growing up as a girl. While short, I found it compelling and full of depth—a great choice for discussion.
One final thought: don’t skip the author’s introduction. I felt it added a lot to the text, especially in providing context around the themes and real people who inspired Esperanza’s story.
The story is set in a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago. Esperanza and her family have just moved into the house on Mango Street. After moving many times, Esperanza is hopeful this new place will be the home her parents always dreamed of. Even though it turns out to be small and not at all what she imagined, by the end of the novel, Esperanza comes to realize that the experiences and memories she gained on Mango Street have shaped her—and will stay with her for the rest of her life.
We meet many neighborhood characters through the narration of a young Esperanza. Despite her limited childhood perspective, the story touches on weighty themes like race, fleeting youth, economic and societal challenges, and the complexities of growing up as a girl. While short, I found it compelling and full of depth—a great choice for discussion.
One final thought: don’t skip the author’s introduction. I felt it added a lot to the text, especially in providing context around the themes and real people who inspired Esperanza’s story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Reread this on a whim and I still like it as much as I did in high school!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
I read that book so slow because I loved it so much.
I only read a few storys once in a while on warm summer evenings and enjoyed every word.
I only read a few storys once in a while on warm summer evenings and enjoyed every word.
I wasn't sure if I'd appreciate the format of this book as much as I did. In the first half I wasn't convinced, but by the end I understood. The vignettes were impactful and painted a picture of Esperanza Cordero's life on Mango street beautifully and succinctly. It touched on culture, class, gender, and more while maintaining a sort of poeticism.
Sandra Cisneros is my queen her words are so beautiful and impactful and she is such a powerful storyteller I will never forget this book
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated