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Summary: a book you want to read
Review: I had to read this book for a class I am taking. It kept me intereste the entire time. I usually don't enjoy reading, but i did this time. I just ordered her other book, Almost A Women. She is a great writer and has led an amazing life as far as I can tell. When she achieved what she thought she couldn't I was moved to tears.
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Summary: "When I Was Puerto Rican"
Review: I am an avid reader of latin writers, especially female writers like Julia Alvarez and Isabelle Allende. Santiago's writing is as lush and alluring as the Puerto Rico she describes. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys latina writers, coming-of-age stories, and learning about the immigrant experience. Excellent book!
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Summary: Thanks you, Ms. Santiago
Review: I don't understand the criticism from readers of this story. What is the problem? ". . .but once she went to the dancing school, I felt that we were just left on a hook." See book title. And " . . . discovers her sexuality; discovers the hate for her father; discovers life. . ." Yes, so? Don't we all go through this? I find it interesting to see how others have coped with these universal experiences. ". . .she gets into Harvard and therefore is successful." Did she say she was successful? Or is she simply telling what happened? And " . . . a more realistic view of life." Whose realistic view? Yours? Or the person who lived it? In any case, I loved Mami, temperamental, and as maternal as a mother can be and Papi, who demonstrated tenderness and love for his child, albeit falling short in responsibility. I believe it is a writer's accomplishment if the reader feels he or she has come to know the characters, through their inconsistencies, weaknesses, conflicts, joys and struggles. Why compare with other writers? Ms. Santiago chose to share her work with us, and many are grateful. This story is simply fine as it is.
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Summary: When I Was Puerto Rican
Review: I first learned about Esmeralda Santiago from my AARP paper and have just finished this book. I loved every minute I spent with her and her family. It was pure poetry. An uplifting experience - not a downer, as many books written about personal experiences seem to be these days. I have Almost A Woman and look forward to reading that. I would like to know more about the author and her family - where they are today, etc.
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Summary: Descriptive, and a page turner! The ending was a bit strange
Review: I have never read anything by Santiago, and I decided to read this book, b/c it was one of the only one of hers in the library. So I got it in English, I could have read it in Spanish, but that version isn't avaialbe by me. Upset to see taht it was on teh 11-12th graders reading list, i decided I should read it anyway, and even though it wouldn't be a challenge, it would be interesting. I was caught by the stories of Negi and her family. I learned a lot about Puerto Rican culture, and I got to see an up close impression in the life of an immigrant. I almost forgot that I was reading Esmeralda's story. The ending kind of confused me. The book was very strong all the way through, but once she went to the dancing school, I felt that we were just left on a hook. A lot had been built up and then she make a dancing school, and then the next pages talk about her at Harvard. It was a good book overall, adn I read it very quickly, (good sign):), now I am excited to read some of Santiago's other works, but this time in Spanish!
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Summary: A Pleasure to Read a Book by a Fellow Puerto Rican
Review: As a Puerto Rican female, I related to many of Santiago's experiences. Her poetic style of writing made her story a pleasure to read. I initially chose to read this book to fulfill an assignment for my Ethnic Studies class. I enjoyed it so much, however, that I am now an Esmeralda Santiago fan and plan to read all of her other books.
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Summary: Santiago captures the AmeRican experience
Review: Although the author came of age about fifteen years before me, it was as though she had written my autobiography! This book truly captures the AmeRican experience (not American but half American, half Rican) in a society that demands assimilation then treats you like an immigrant or foreigner! Bravo! A must read. My daughter was assigned this book at Bodine School for International Affairs, it helped her understand the Puerto Rican experience from a recent arrival rather than from me, who is a first generation Philadelphian.
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Summary: memoir's don't get any better than this, perfecto!
Review: ok,I'll tell you something,I am Pureto Rican,and this book has nothing in common with me.But,man! did I like this book.I mean,the story is sad and all but the writing was beautiful.I actually felt the people in the book.The author has a great sence of what the reader wants.And that is great discription.So hey ,if you are looking for an in you're face tour de force about immigration then this memoir is for you.
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Summary: Touching, Motivating
Review: I started this novel expecting very little from it. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it truly was an excellent book about the hardships and strife that the author had to endure growing up in Puerto Rico and then New York. In some regards this book is the epitome of what the american dream is suppossed to stand for. In other regards it illustrates the ignorance and disrespect that americans often show to minorities and other countries cultures.
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Summary: Between Tears and Laughter
Review: As both a Puerto Rican female raised in NYC and a Harvard alumna, I purchased this book somewhat out of obligation. I finished it feeling as though my reading it was a calling from God. It captured and affirmed three generations of my family's experiences - my grandmothers (the tin house in Ponce), my mothers (performing arts HS) and my own (Harvard). What took Esmeralda one lifetime to accomplish, took us three generations. Between tears and laughter I thanked Esmeralda every page of the way for being so generous with her memories and her creative words. I have read other customer reviews suggesting that authors like Rosario Ferre are better authors. Go for Ferre if you are into elitism. And by the way, Ferrer is actually CUBAN born in PR). If you want some writing that is home grown and as sincere as abuelas arroz con gandules - read Santiago.
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