Currents from the Dancing River: Contemporary Latino Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry

Rating:
Summary: The Diverse Latino Experience
Review: This is a grand collection of writings by some of the best writers, who happen to be latino, in the United States today.These are the tales of an emerging group of people whose experiences are as diverse as the ethnic groups they come from. There are Cubans, Puerto Ricans and Mexicanos, all different , all Americans with a common thread, their Spanish heritage and a new found country. The collection of essays, fiction, non-fiction, excerts from novels and poetry are splendid echoes from the souls of Americans. The cultural differences aside, the homogenous nature of these offerings are in their portrayl of people who want to be recognized for what they are, Americans, who just happen to have different experiences from those in the dominant culture. These experiences give validity to the lives of many who may feel disenfranchised just because they are different. The words are so powerful, so funny, so sad, so real. This book is a favorite of mine to share with students. I read from this book yearly at a read in for middle school children and always get the class thinking, maybe reflective, but always roaring with laughter in the end. The students invariably ask me where I found the book and where could they get a copy. Mine is worn out, like an old glove that fits perfectly after years of use, it is still serviceable, full of dog eared pages but I continue to break it out yearly for the students benefit. What is nice about this book is that it can be read in sections, as the format of short stories lends itself to frequent endings. This is a great collection of writings that will not disapoint, in fact it will inspire you and make you greatful for what you have and who you are. If you are interested in the experiences of your latino friends and how they came to be who they are this book will provide insights. Written by Americans, for all people to understand why we are all different but still Americans.