When I Was Puerto Rican

Rating:
Summary: Santiago dazzles in devastating, illuminating ethnic memoir
Review: One of the most difficult challenges facing a memoirist is the task of making her particular story resonate with universal truths. Esmeralda Santiago's "When I Was Puerto Rican" is a stunning success; it not only captures the dynamics of identity creation, does so in the context of ethnic, class and geographic tensions. Santiago's coming-of-age saga encompasses an incipient awareness of her unique status as an oldest daughter, conflicted thinker and anguished observer of family disintegration. That she writes without a drop of self-pity is remarkable given the abundance of sadness and betrayal which swirl in her story.

For much of her childhood in Puerto Rico and her early adolescence in New York City, Santiago lives a dual life. Possessed of a "stubborn pride," her "frightened self hid" behind a false veneer of acceptance that "everything was all right." At once proud and ashamed of her rural "jibaro" identity, Santiago grapples with exactly who and what she is. In this respect, "When I Was Puerto Rican" reverberates with the near-universal dynamic of identity creation, hidden shame at life's circumstances and constant questioning of how and why families created such tortured environments in which children evolve.

Plaguing Santiago is the ambiguous, tormented relationship between her mother and father. Exposed equally to the sounds of lovemaking and arguments, Santiago can neither be surprised that her parents never wed or the constant absence of her hard-working, poetic but irresponsible father. Eventually, the pressures of this quasi-marital status between Mami and Papi erupt, and Santiago saves her best writing for its description. As her mother and father savage each other in verbal warfare, "they growled words that made no sense." Their fighting echoes "all the hurts and insults, the dinners gone to waste, the women, the abandonments." As Santiago "crouched against the wall," she witnesses her parents "disfigure" themselves with anger. "In their passion Mami and Papi had forgotten" their children. They were real "only to one another." Santiago and her siblings cower in a corner, "afraid that if we left them, they might eat each other."

This authentic voice carries throughout the memoir as the author explores the various influences of her own existence. Nicknamed "Negi" by her parents due to her dark complexion, Santiago is acutely aware of her ethnicity and is perplexed upon her move to New York that people who look like her (African-Americans) have deep, unfounded suspicions about her and her people. As a Puerto Rican, she develops ambivalence about the United States and the American presence not only on her native island, but in her heart as well. How American will she become? At what cost? These are the same questions millions of immigrants have asked themselves as they immerse themselves in their new land. But how can she be "new" when Puerto Rico is and has been America for all of her life.

Though "When I Was Puerto Rican" treats Esmeralda Santiago's life during the 1950s and 1960s, it has a timeless feel to it. Moving, illuminating and compelling, this memoir does much more than describe one girl's emerging self; it invites us to explore our own past and examine the forces which have created our own identity.

Rating:
Summary: When I was Puerto Rican
Review: When I was a Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago is great traditional Puerto Rican story that brings back many wonderful memories of stories that my grandfather has told to me and my other siblings. It reminds me of the little neighbor hood my families grow up in, and how rough those times were. Her book is moving and vivid. She speaks of growing up in the little barrio of Macun and how her mother picked up her eleven children and dreamed of a better life in Brooklyn New York. She speaks of how strong and determined her mother was. Ms. Santiago speaks of how her life was and the changes she went through as a girl and the many things she saw her mother and other women in her barrio go through with there husbands and with there own families. This memoir is a great testimony to many young adolescents and to the elderly.

Rating:
Summary: When I was Puerto Rican
Review: When I was Puerto Rican is a breath-taking novel by Esmeralda Santiago. Her story tells the true tale of Santiago's life while she was growing up in a rural Puerto Rican city. All too often, Esmeralda dealt with the hardships of poverty, and the never ending fights of her parents. Because of their differences, Santiago and her siblings were forced to move many times in search of a better life. The biggest move of Santiago's life was the one to New York City. Here, Esmeralda had to adjust to a fast changing society, and must learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
I would recommend this book to any reader who is interested in learning about the Puerto Rican culture. Santiago's vivid description of her childhood makes the story come to life, and is filled with non-stop adventure. I would also suggest that you buy this novel, because you are almost certain to read it again. As a word of caution: there is some Spanish dialogue in this novel, and being familiar with the language is a big help.

Rating:
Summary: When I Was Puerto Rican
Review: When I Was Puerto Rican is a chronicle of the events that take place in the life of author Esmeralda Santiago during her childhood in Puerto Rico and later New York city.

Two things make this book worthwhile right off the bat. One it crosses the divdes of age, sex and race. I found it to be an effective introduction to Puerto Rican culture. However, this isn't a story for simply one group of people it was written for everyone.

I believe that Mrs. Santiago while writing this biography tried her best to keep the events of her early life in the child-like perspective,in which she first experienced them. What I mean by this is she does not pollute her narrative with the reflections of an older wiser adult woman looking backward. She allows the story to unfold as it was at the time.

Culturally this book is far different from any other book I've read. But the story and the empathy I felt for the characters in it has stayed with me.

Rating:
Summary: When I Was Puerto Rican
Review: This is a book that not only connects with every day life, but can touch your heart in a way that you can't imagine. This book is about a young girl and her family living in Puerto Rico.As an American Indain.I to know how it feels to be differnt.Negi and family move from Puerto Rico to New York, where she fight adveristy. Her family and her over come rules and a new language. This book is filled with action,love. I recommend that you go out and buy this book. I will teach that your life is alot differnt than people in puerto rico.

Rating:
Summary: When I was Puerto Rican
Review: In my English class we have read this book that is called "When I was Puerto Rican." I think this book is not interesting. But that would be my opinion. What I think this book is about is how they move from a little pueblo called "Macon" into New York City. They didn't like where they move. And there dad was a little player and the mother of course you know how some women are they take their men back cause they feel that they can't find anyone else, so she kept taking him back. The mother had 7 kids with this guy, but there was no prblem about how many kids they had.But if you enjoy a book that has something to to with someone's life style you may be the person t enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: When I Was Puerto Rican Review
Review: This is the autobiography of Esmeralda Santiago growing up in the country side of Puerto Rico. She describes the life she lives in P.R. and how it all changes as she becomes a senorita. It shows the culture and customs she learns as she grows older. She uses Spanish sayings to relate to each chapter throughout the book.
Personally I thought the book was great. I really related to how she grew up because I myself am Puerto Rican and like her I am one of many brothers and sisters in a family. I also enjoyed the way she describes P.R. because I've never been there but by reading this book I can visualize the way it must be. This book is not only good for Hispanics but for all cultures.

Rating:
Summary: When I was Puerto Rican
Review: When I Was Puerto Rican Random House Inc., 1998, 270 pp., $12.00
Esmeralda Santiago ISBN 0-679-75676-0

The powerful book When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago is a tribute to Santiago's homeland, Puerto Rico because it has to do a lot with the authors experiences growing up. The book tells the story of a young Puerto Rican girl named Negi. Negi is a typical girl who has to deal with a typical situation: moving. What's not so typical is that it's not to another town, it's to another country: the United States of America.
Moving from Puerto Rico to the United States is hard for Negi, but moving from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, New York is even harder. Since Brooklyn is so dangerous, Negi can only go to and from school and can't go out. This makes her angry at times because in Puerto Rico, she could go out all the time, which makes her argue with her mom a lot. Her mother is pretty strict and has a bad temper, but she loves her children more than anything. Negi's father has a good relationship with her because he is the kind of father that gives good advice and is wise. There isn't much to say about her annoying sisters Delsa and Norma except that they are typical sisters and bother her very much. Negi's sisters are a lot like my siblings, and that helped me relate somewhat to the book. She also has to deal with learning how to speak English like Americans do, which can get frustrating at times.
Have you ever been in a situation like that? If you have, then you know that it isn't always the best thing that can happen to you. Negi has some trouble with this change because it is such a big difference to the way that she was living before. She even asks her father at one point, "If we eat all that American food they give us, will we become Americanos?" She has some trouble understanding the American culture because things are done very differently than in Puerto Rico. She is trying to find herself in a whole new world.
Negi has to really mature in America, because things aren't all fun and games anymore. Life is serious, and she needs to be too. She not only has to mature, but she also has to become a woman, a much more difficult task. Not to mention she has to become an "American," whatever that means. It's basically a story about fitting in this new American life and dealing with issues that women have to deal with. In the end, Negi deals with having to accept the fact that things just have to happen a certain way sometimes.
This realistic fiction book is honestly and beautifully written, and because of that I recommend this book to mature, respectful readers. This book really caught my attention and left me feeling like I had to keep on reading to find out what was going to happen. I felt like I was the character in the story. I think it is a marvelous book that I easily related to and I think many others will as well. At first, it is challenging, but it just gets better and better, so if you are looking for a good challenge, and a memorable tale, this book just may be the one for you.

-Christina J. Rodríguez, Grade 8, Patrick Lyndon Pilot School, Boston, Massachusetts

Rating:
Summary: When I Was Puerto Rican: Awesome Book!
Review: This book was great to read! I enjoyed it so much that I have read it twice. It transported me back to youth in Puerto Rico and reminded me of so many things I forgot about my country. It is a great book to read even if you are not Puerto Rican or of Hispanic-descent. There are some words in Spanish in the book. For those of you who do not dominate the language, don't worry. Santiago does a great job explaining these words in the context. I promise you will not get lost. People often think that it is not important to include these words in books, but they are. It is these words that give readers, like myself, a way to relate to the author in every way possible. This book will keep you hooked! Great book! I recommend it to anyone. My grandmother recommended it to me and I never found it interesting to read until I had to read it for my History class my freshman year. Don't wait for that! Just read it and I am sure you will like it as much as I did!

Rating:
Summary: A New Classic in Puerto Rican Literature
Review: This book belongs in every Puerto Riquenios library. If you where raised in Las montanias of Puerto Rico, or went to visit Abuela or los tios during Summer vacation from school, this book will hit a personal mark. I have given this book to so many of my friends for Christmas and for birthdays, and so many have related to the story in some form or the other.

Esmeralda Santiago is a genius, my mother is not a big reader of books, but I got her the spanish edition, and she was moved into tears, in parts such as the out house, and school lunch in la escuelita, she said that this is the way it was. As she read it she could not help but be transported back into time, to the days of her childhood.

I love this book so much, and have given it to a few of my white friends, it helps them understand us and to see where we come from. This book is a mirror into the soul of every boriqua. My cousin a 7th grade teacher in Puerto Rico uses this book with her students. It is a must read, and every Puerto Riquenio, no every Latino should read.