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Summary: Exquisite memories of Puerto Rico for my mother
Review: I bought this book for my mother because I knew she would love to read something in her native language that would bring back fond memories of her childhood in Puerto Rico. I also hoped that giving her this book would mean something special to her coming from her half-gringa daughter. She told me that shortly into the book she was remembering things she had regrettably forgotten in her 40+ years here in the states, things like words, idiomatic expressions, feelings she had, etc. I think this book is one of the best presents I ever gave my mother and I am thankful that Esmeralda Santiago presented me with such a great opportunity to make my mother happy.
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Summary: A reveling stream of E.S.'s thoughts, arnieworld@hotmail.com
Review: I give 5 stars, not because I was necessarily challenged in weighty intellectual "profundities" (as one of the critics above states), but simply because the quality of story-telling (at least in the Spanish version) is insurpassable. I was able to see right into the heart of Esmeralda's thinking. She was almost always eloquent beyond her years; at first I thought that this wasn't accurate for a girl of her age; but in retrospect, I think that the author knew this beforehand and realizes that her character is indeed representative of the many children or tíneyers who are absolutely brilliant but are perceived to be not so bright because of a spoken language. I would like to find out if this was a subtility that she wanted to communicate.
With that said, my favorite aspect of Esmeralda's eloquent subtilities is her honest, authentic anger towards haughty and egotistical people. I believe that E. Santiago was intending also to disfrazel the machista haughtiness that existed in Po'rico. I wanted to reach into the story and punch her Papi in the face. What a pig! I grieves me to think that such a man really existed! Another thing, the move to New York, wonderfully contrasted with Macún - and the innocence of perceiving the jews, italians and blacks throught the eyes of a sweet girl with no prejudices - a brilliant girl indeed! How was she able to dislodge herself from all of the enticements of having prejudices so quickly formed? The best part of the entire novel - a definite tear-jerker - is the rapid dénouement punched at me (the first sentence of the epilogue). I didn't expect it; it had sort of a Great Expectations twist there at the end; if there were ever a movie based on this story, I think that that would be the brilliant finish of the story. The human spirit inside of each of us hopes and believes: "Un día de estos, un día de estos." We all relate so well with Esmeralda that I strongly suggest that this book be included in ethnic-american/hispanoamerican classes and reading circles. This is a must. It's already been successful at Pittsburg State University (KS) with Greg Brown and Dr. Edmée Fernández; try it.
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Summary: Boricua hasta el fin...
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone who can appreciate the story of a young woman's physical, emotional and personal migration cycle. The book provides wonderful insight and detail regarding the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico as well as the trials and tribulations involved in moving to another place (especially the US), losing a father, learning a new language and exploring new things. Read it, you'll love it.
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Summary: The best memoir I have read
Review: I liked a lot his book and it taught me a lot about my country in past years when my parents where kids. I learned too how to does the Puertoricans feels and lives in New York and things like that.
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Summary: Excellent look into another culture!
Review: I loved this book. As a student of the SPanish language, I was really challenged, but I learned a lot about slang and alternative uses of words. I truly enjoyed the entire book!
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Summary: Un libro maravilloso- un buen retrato de su propia vida
Review: I read this book three years ago and was very impressed with the way the themes were developed by Esmeralda Santiago. The book is a reflection of the Puerto Rican society in the time when Esmeralda Santiago was a young girl. Therefore, it is true reflection of how many Puerto Ricans lived and struggled to ascertain life's most basic needs. I like the fact that Esmeralda did not leave a pillow unturned while describing family situations, how the father left the family to survive with very little income and lastly their move to NYC in search of better opportunities.The reader can identify with Puerto Rican culture and what it means to be Puerto Rican because of the way Esmeralda describes her life in a language that's very adecuate, full of descriptions and expressions of her deepest sentiments. The beauty and simplicity of her vocabulary facilitates one's understanding of the book, the themes and situations presented. Overall, it is an exemplary memoir that paints a very real description of the ups and downs of the Puerto Rican society in the fifties. I recommend this book to all those who are fond of literature of any kind.
------- Leí este libro hace tres años y quedé muy impresionada con el tema que ha sido muy bien desarrollado por Esmeraldo Santiago. El libro realmente es un reflejo de la sociedad puertorriqueña en aquella época cuando Esmeralda Santigao era niña. Por lo tanto, es un retrato real de como muchos puertorriqueños vivían y luchaban para tener las cosas más básicas de la vida. Me gustó mucho el hecho de que Esmeralda no escatimó en los detalles al describir los episodios de su familia, de como su papá dejó a la familia para sobrevivir con pocos recursos y finalmente de la mudanza a Nueva York en busca de nuevas oportunidades. La manera en que Esmeralda describe su vida en un lenguaje adecuado, lleno de descripciones y de expresión de sus más profundos sentimientos hace que el lector se identifique con "la cultura puertorriqueña" y lo que significa ser parte de esa cultura siendo puertorriqueño/a o no. La belleza y sencillez de su léxico facilita la comprensión del libro y el entendimiento de los varios temas y asuntos que se presentan. Por lo general, es un libro ejemplar que pinta una descripción muy verdadera de los avatares de la sociedad puertorriqueña en los años cincuenta. Recomiendo este libro a los amantes de la buena lectura.
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Summary: A jibaro's metamorphosis
Review: This book describes the experiences of a poor family in the Puerto Rico of the fifties. By getting to know the life of Esmeralda Santiago, you will know about the lives of many other families in Puerto Rico and their day to day struggles to keep themselves afloat. As a result of the decline of the agriculture in PR, many women had to leave their homes and join the work force. Looking for better opportunities, many Puerto Ricans migrated; initially from the rural areas to San Juan, and finally to New York. Through Santiago's journey from the campo to the city and later the metropolis, you will see how the jibaro's culture and beliefs were challenged.
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Summary: EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER TAKES ME BACK. I MEAN IT!!!!!
Review: THIS is the Puerto Rico I remember. These are the phrases I remember from my childhood that I don't hear as often anymore. What a wonderful memoir. It's scary: if I were to write my own memoir as a young girl in Humacao, Puerto Rico, this would be 90% on the money. WHAT A JOY TO READ!!
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