A review by maxgardner
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A friend of mine told me this was her favorite book, and all I could remember was I'd read it in high school and didn't think much of it. However, now taking the time to dive back in, how can you not love what Sandra Cisneros has created here? Her writing is gorgeous, full of vivid details of the people in this neighborhood, the places and houses they inhabit, and the things they do and that are done to them. In this way, she gives us a rich, full portrait of the neighborhood and its people by delivering most of the pieces, though also still leaving room for us to color in the gaps. I love that the stories are told in different ways as well—some feel like first-hand coming-of-age accounts, others like lore that's been passed between neighbors and down generations like the game of telephone. It gives you this feeling that you're inhabiting the space, living these experiences with the characters. There are moments of joy and moments of aching heartbreak, and though this book is short, Cisneros is able to accomplish so much in that space.