Famous All over Town

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book that I couldn't put down!
Review: At a crossroads in his life, Rodolfo ("Chato") Medina remembers the year he was 14, a time of turmoil and change, not only for him but also for his family and friends. A Los Angeles barrio is the setting for this witty, poignant novel about people caught between two cultures, neither of which offers welcome.

Rating:
Summary: This is an outstanding book that I couldn't put down!
Review: At a crossroads in his life, Rodolfo Medina remembers the year he was 14, a time of turmoil and change, not only for him but also for his family and friends. A Los Angeles barrio is the people caught between two cultures, neither of setting for this witty novel about which offers welcome.

Rating:
Summary: Captures the attention
Review: famous all over town is honestly the best book i have ever read in my entire life. it was gripping on so many diffrent levels. I recommend this book to everyone who has every felt like they don't belong.

Rating:
Summary: I definitely recommend this book.
Review: I enjoyed reading this novel because it reflects the mexican lifestyle. I use the term mexican because "Chato" feels more mexican than chicano. During the novel "Chato" goes through many struggles, In which he learns that society keeps him from succeeding. He is a very intelligent boy but his surroundings do not allow him to expand his horizons. It is a great novel and I recommend it to all.

Rating:
Summary: Deep novel that doesn't glorify the East LA communities
Review: In a world where every other rap song tries to glorify the gangster lifestyle, here comes a book that shows how normal people who have no business in hurting others get caught in the web. But this book is even more important then that. It's about what it is to be an immigrant. It doesn't matter where you're from, if you are a second generation immigrant you will relate to this book.

The Chicano community has had very controversial outlooks regarding this book, due to it's author. Surprisingly enough, his name isn't Danny Santiago at all but rather Danny James. He is actually caucasian. As such, many who innitially praised it as THE book on the Chicano experience in the USA have now shunned it. But in my opinion it's strength still stands. It's deep, non-dramatic, and pure. It's easily as good as "The Catcher in the Rye" in terms of language, but due to it's negative press has been forgotten. If you are looking for a book that you will finish before you know it (and not soon forget), I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A realistic window into the Chicano way of life
Review: This book is a page turner! I could not put it down or stop laughing and crying as the wonderful, realistic chicanos fought to stay sane one day at a time. I loved the characters; they're people that I encounter everyday,they make terrible mistakes, (over and over and over...), but somehow never give up the struggle to survive.
Although this book does not paint a pretty picture of the Mexican-American family it does give us a realistic one, one in which racism is a powerful threat to the evergrowing Mexican pride.
I also love the language that the author uses. I'm not disappointed to learn the Danny Santiago is really Danny James. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that a Caucasian can capture the Chicano way of life so realistically.
I laughed, I cried, I loved it!

Rating:
Summary: A realistic window into the Chicano way of life
Review: This book is a page turner! I could not put it down or stop laughing and crying as the wonderful, realistic chicanos fought to stay sane one day at a time. I loved the characters; they're people that I encounter everyday,they make terrible mistakes, (over and over and over...), but somehow never give up the struggle to survive.
Although this book does not paint a pretty picture of the Mexican-American family it does give us a realistic one, one in which racism is a powerful threat to the evergrowing Mexican pride.
I also love the language that the author uses. I'm not disappointed to learn the Danny Santiago is really Danny James. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that a Caucasian can capture the Chicano way of life so realistically.
I laughed, I cried, I loved it!

Rating:
Summary: famous all over townw
Review: this book was a great book. my faviriote charecter was the main charecter who was also the narrater.The least person I liked was his sisters boyfriend. I recomend this book to every one. The reason why I recomend this book is because it shows us how its like living in a poor neighbor hood and still living good.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing
Review: While this book was certainly entertaining, there were a few things about it that really bothered me. First of all, it offers such a negative view of a stereotypical poor Chicano family: a macho, philandering father, a mother who raises the kids and turns the other cheek, a daughter, who is valued primarily for her looks, drops out of school and hopes only to marry, and a son who becomes involved in gang activity. Another major problem I had with this book is that Chato (the son) never seems to learn from his mistakes. I just didn't see any growth in his character or any gains in maturity. He just keeps making one poor decision after another and is never able to turn his life around. Various opportunities for escape do present themselves, and you see a glimmer of hope for him, but each time he blows it. I did, however, like the conclusion. Rather than an unrealistic fairy tale ending, there is foreshadowing of more difficult times ahead for Chato: unfortunately, a realistic fate for this poor boy who was never able to break out of the cycle of dysfunction.