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gitli57's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
4.0
Loosely in the tradition of Latino multi-generational family epics. What sets this apart is the language and structure. Cisneros has found a path that feels both ancient and contemporary. Rooted in oral storytelling and telenovelas while being beautifully composed literature. At times, the detail, the lists, the fragmentation is almost overwhelming. But, in the end, Cisneros weaves all the threads together like a lovely rebozo, her main metaphor.
siluetas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
might elaborate later when it's not 2 am but this is beautiful and written in a way that only Latinos can write. it has that idas y vueltas, volver sobre lo mismo, ir al principio de nuevo, take a detour here to go there that's very present in oral storytelling. it's a family saga, an account of your shared history y un gran "porque lo que se hereda no se roba", but it's also just a story about telling stories. what stories do we tell ourselves? who gets to tell their story, what is lost along the way? how the same life or events is recounted and remembered completely differently depending on who's doing the telling. lovely lovely lovely, se siente como estar en casa, con lo hermoso y enmarañado que eso puede ser.
humxxn's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
glendaleereads's review against another edition
4.0
It’s always a pleasure to read Cisneros. She has taught me how to write.
Her stories are always filled with such beautiful prose that read as poetry all the time.
The book starts off slow but that only lasts for a couple of pages. Celaya narrates the story of her family and it’s so interesting and great to see how things were seen or heard from her perspective.
Her stories are always filled with such beautiful prose that read as poetry all the time.
The book starts off slow but that only lasts for a couple of pages. Celaya narrates the story of her family and it’s so interesting and great to see how things were seen or heard from her perspective.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review
I understand that this is an important part of Chicana literature, which is why I kept reading even though it was completely boring. Being important just isn't enough, though - time to move on.
ddinmia2000's review
2.0
The story was okay but it's her style of writing that I found really awkward. She's in the middle of telling one story and then flashes back to another tale or sideways, to another family member. It's all intertwined but I prefer stories that are developed chronologically.
rapidwind17's review
5.0
This book was exactly what I needed this year. It’s a love letter to complicated Mexican families. In this book there are sweet caramelos, generational trauma, and men that are feo, fuerte y formal. From the Mexican Revolution to the cold, concrete reality of Chicago, Cisneros beautifully captures the Mexican-American knot that’s been stuck in my throat my entire life.