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Summary: An essential contribution to Puerto Rican studies
Review: "Boricuas" is a tremendous gift both to the Puerto Rican community and to those who want to learn more about Puerto Rican culture. Editor Roberto Santiago has assembled a collection of writings which illuminate the joys, sorrows, and complexities of the Puerto Rican experience.This anthology has many strengths. It contains a full range of genres--poetry, speeches, short fiction, essays, drama, and more. There is even a transcription of one of Freddie Prinze's classic comedy routines. There is also a good mix of male and female authors: Julia de Burgos, Piri Thomas, Aurora Levins Morales, Jesus Colon, and many, many more. The book does have some flaws. The author biographies at the end of the book are far too short and insubstantial--many of them are only 2 or 3 lines long. More bibliographic data on each author would have made the book a more powerful resource for teachers and students. And the book could have used a firmer editorial hand in parts. The excerpt from Miguel Pinero's play "Short Eyes," for example, contains no editorial indication that this is in fact an excerpt; readers might be misled to believe that this is a short one-act play in its entirety. Another drawback to the anthology is the relative lack of writers from the 19th century and earlier. With the exception of Jose de Diego, these pioneers of Puerto Rican literature are entirely absent. If you want to read the important poetry and prose of Manuel A. Alonso, Jose Gautier Benitez, Pachin Marin, and others, you will have to look elsewhere. These criticisms aside, "Boricuas" is an excellent collection. The stories, poems, and other selections are full of all the richness of the Puerto Rican experience. Some of the best selections include Migene Gonzalez-Wippler's autobiographical piece about her experience of the Santeria religion, Abraham Rodriguez' multilayered short story "The Boy Without a Flag," and editor Santiago's excellent introductory essay. This wonderful book makes an excellent class text for high school or college courses; in fact, I used it when I taught the "Literature of the Americas" course offered by the University of Pittsburgh. But this is also a book for outside the classroom; it is a collection to be read, enjoyed, and shared with loved ones. "Boricuas" is a triumph for both Roberto Santiago and for the many authors whose voices are celebrated between the book's covers.
Rating: 
Summary: Our words
Review: A beautiful anthology that gives voice to our hearts and conscience. It traces our stories through the writings of everyone from Don Pedro Albizu Campos to modern legends such as Willie Perdomo. It is essential to the true overall understanding of who we are. Roberto Santiago, thank you.You must buy this book!!
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Summary: The Best Collection from the Best of los Boricuas
Review: Art, Poetry, Short Stories, Drawings. Stories of Religion, from Catholic, to Santeria. From growing up in hungry in the streets of Spanish Harlem, to growing up in the rural areas of La Isla. From being a street hood, to being a Chico and The Man Tv Star. Boricuas, is destined to be a classic. In this collection you get only the best, from the best Puerto Rican writers and poets. Piri Thomas, Esmeralda Santiago, Judith Cofer, Nicholasa Mohr, just to name a few of these talented writters. What I love the most about this book is that it will introduce many Puerto Ricans as well as the rest of the world to the many talented Boricua authors there are. This book will fill you with pride and joy, if you are ever thinking of that perfect gift for that young adult Boricua in your life, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Collection from the Best of los Boricuas
Review: Art, Poetry, Short Stories, Drawings. Stories of Religion, from Catholic, to Santeria. From growing up in hungry in the streets of Spanish Harlem, to growing up in the rural areas of La Isla. From being a street hood, to being a Chico and The Man Tv Star. Boricuas, is destined to be a classic. In this collection you get only the best, from the best Puerto Rican writers and poets. Piri Thomas, Esmeralda Santiago, Judith Cofer, Nicholasa Mohr, just to name a few of these talented writters. What I love the most about this book is that it will introduce many Puerto Ricans as well as the rest of the world to the many talented Boricua authors there are. This book will fill you with pride and joy, if you are ever thinking of that perfect gift for that young adult Boricua in your life, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: BORICUAS is an eye-opener
Review: BORICUAS is an eye-opener for both Puerto Ricans and non-Puerto Ricans. I never knew there were so many Hispanic, especially Puerto Rican, high profile names out there. For instance, did you know that Reggie Jackson and Sammy Davis, Jr. have at least one parent who was Puerto Rican? I didn't. This book serves as a reference book, a novel, a selection of poetry, among other things. I recommend this book for everyone who is into multicultural thinking and studying, and even to those who are not open-minded. Also for the young Puerto Ricans in the world who have assimiliated into the melting pot of society: read this book and learn about your ancestry.
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Summary: BORICUAS captured the true experience of being puerto rican!
Review: I could not put it down!!!! Before I read this book I had struggled to learn of my true self being a Boricua who grew up in the U.S. And now I can say that I have gained a deeper sense of understanding and love for my self and where I come from. Thank you for helping me truly become and understand my self. YO SOY BORICUA!!!!!!!!!
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Summary: wow
Review: This book has enlightened me. I know I am not alone in my thoughts. All the feelings I have towards the Puerto Rican struggle for recognition and respect have been expressed and shared throughout this book. Every word brought about different ideas and views on what has been taken away from Puerto Rico. Every Puerto rican should read this and learn about our past and opinions of fellow latinos. This book has opened up and filled a void at once.TO Piri Thomas, Edwin Torres, Pedro Albizu Campos, Esmeralda Santiago and Even Freddie Prinze, I thank you. I feel as if I have discovered I do have a past and yet there is so much more I need to learn. Thank you.
This book should be used in school. Latinos have be deprived of our hertiage along with every other minority. Give it to your children, as a matter of fact READ IT WITH YOUR KIDS.
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Summary: An Important historical compilation
Review: This book should serve as the basis of self discovery for all persons of Puerto Rican descent. I was moved to tears by themes from my own life reverberating out of words written by authors that I had heard of, but never read. Santiago has almost every possible perspective in this book, from the plight of women to the confusion of black-skinned Puerto Ricans. The organization of the book is exemplary and helps in organizing the powerful emotions I encountered when reading works by Jose De Diego, Pedro Albizu Campos, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Esmeralda Santiago, Piri Thomas, Martin Espada, etc.
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Summary: A MUST for all Puerto Ricans living in the Mainland!
Review: This book will take you back to the first Ricans that migrated to the US looking for a better well being. It shows the new generations that it wasn't easy for the pioneers.
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