Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Read!
Review: This book is great. It is funny and touching. The author deals with so many issues faced by Latinas.
Rating: 
Summary: Asi Asi....
Review: The book was really an enjoyable one but I'm a little dissapointed that I actually went out and brought it. I mean twenty five dollars is lot of money for a book that you only give three stars to. But meanwhile, I thought that Vadelz-Rodriguez did a wonderful job as far as detail and language is concerened and where likeability and actuality is involved.One reader previously jumped on her back for misrepresenting the Latina women's cultural heritage. As an eduacated Latina, I would like to challenge that reviewer and tell them that their unecessary need to come off as if they know a thing or two about what's going on in the world. Number one, this book was partly about breaking some of those streotypes about Latina woman (we're all ghetto gangbangers, with fake nails, loud mouths, twenty children, all white, with greasy hair boyfriends who either are gangsters themselves or is serving life in prison, etc.). Everybody knows that-if you are a college educated Latino and speak fluent Spanish (though I have no idea what that has to do with anything)-that yes, Carribean women in general take no teeth for the fever, but let me tell you how that is a MAJOR stereotype. NOT ALL CARRIBEAN WOMEN are as strong minded as you think. There are always a few who are a little weak and don't pack necessary punch. So basically, though you were so fed up with the author's sterotypes you feed into the same ones that she was trying to break. She was trying to point out that abuse is not limited to just one type of culture. Cuban chicks get beat too. And they take it. Correct on the what it means to be a Spanish person from New Mexico. I'll remember to tell my Metstiza New Mexican cousin who is married to an African guy, greetings and salutations from you to them. Once again, Valdez-Rodriguez was trying to break the stereotype that all white hispanics stick with their own kind. While that is certainly true to a certain point for those who lived two to three generations ago, times are a changing. Get with the program. Everybody knows that Mejicas such as Amber pretty much do exist. Where would we be if Lenny Kravitz and Jimi Hendrix didn't take up that "white music?" Or if Celine tried des-soulify her voice by singing regular "white peole's music" in the, you know, regular "white way?" Listen to yourself. Yes, it may be true that Del Pueblos listen to gruerpas and Lip Lop, but that doesn't mean that some jovenita is not in her little room right now now listening to Shakira (pre-blonde sell out) or Mundo Mundo (up and coming) or even Beyonce thinking, "Well I might not be black or rich or Colombian or blond, but I would like to have a career as singer of R&B or Rock en español. And while I agree with you on the Christina Aguilera thing, I disagree with you on the Cameron Diaz. She has always been proud of who she is and has always carried her last name with pride. She's never claimed to be all about her Latin culture, but she's never said she wasn't either. Also I'm half Cuban, and I've grown up in Philly all my life, and let me tell you how I'm very proud of my heritage muchas gracias. Are you sure that you know what a streotype You're from Texas so maybe they haven't cultivated pride in your region, but I can speak for the puertorrequña's up here in Philly who are "mulatta"-I hate that term-(and God knows we have a plethora of them) and the chicas who read the book in our club felt that Usnavy represent them very well, as a ricas up here live the ghetto fabulous life styles and like the big britches themselves. Acutally that number is more 15 to 20 percent in reference to the blacks in Colombia according to US News report back in 2000. Yes most of them are light skinned but since the author was clearly trying to break the stereotypes, I hardly see why Elizabeth's color, culture, etc. is a problem. I wasn't feeling the whole lesbian thing, but I must admit that I knew that was coming a mile away. In the end you've contradicted yourself by trying to rectify the "mistakes" that AVR made but, I saw none as bad as you claiming to have one up on HER and you're basically sprouting stereotypes of our people left and right. I sure hope you aren't Latino for your own sake, and if you are, try not speak for the entire race. We are individuals you know. Y tu sabes, stop being so high and mighty.
Rating:
Summary: Latina Love
Review: While looking for a new book to read i took one look at this one and had to have it! I loved this book so much, it was just a emotional rollercoaster! every girl knows she has some friends like this and its great to see something written about it that isnt a exact replica of Sex in the City. i loved the way it was written giving you different views of every girl in the group. it also had a nice mix of spanish but not leaving you completely dumbfounded if your not to good with your espanol. i would definetley reccommend this to anyone who wants a little taste of the latina life and who liked books like Devil Wears Prada!
Rating: 
Summary: Good begining......sad ending !!!
Review: I started reading this book because of a recommendation!!! All I can say is that is somewhat entertaining at the beginning but the Disney ending and the stereotypes ruins the mood and credibility even thought this is supposed to be fiction/poetry. Main things against this book are the liberal use of stereotypes ;also the nationalities represented are NOT properly researched... Everybody knows ( if your are college educated Latino and fluent in Spanish ) that Cuban(And Caribbean women in general) women -Sara- are kind of loud, feisty and don't put up with B.S. much less a pounding from their husband. Everybody knows that a "Spanish" from New Mexico (Rebecca) can be either half and half Spanish+ Indian= mestiza ....or probably a descendent from one of the first Spanish colonizers after Columbus set foot in the Americas = translation ...not very likely to be involved with a black men not even as a joke. Everybody knows that mexxicas such as Amber in reality are from "Del Pueblo ( from the people= poor lower class) not likely to be involved in Rock en español, but do listen to Latin rap or gruperas, etc...That a Cuban American ..Lauren ( actually more American than Cuban ) living outside from south Florida is probably not that proud of her heritage and/or most likely not really Cuban =A pseudolatina ala Cameron Diaz or Christina aguilera ...only using the Latin surname to get some points or to appear exotic !!! Usnavys is probably the most likely character but a thick mullatta from PR is unlikely to live the life that is portrayed in the novel...she is to big for her breaches !!!! And Elizabeth really tops the cake....Although there are blacks in Colombia ( more like 10% of the population) most of the Colombian women are on average light skinned ( somewhat a mix of Italian and Spanish looking ) and quite a few white ones too but yet they choose a black one and to top it off make that one a lesbian...shhheeessss!!!! In the end is sad because checking the people's reviews most of the 4 or 5 starts were given by Anglo (white ) women and citing adjectives like fun, entertaining, good summer reading, etc..in other words they probably laugh at the lives of this women (and probably at the ones in real life !!!) and some of these stereotypes will stay on their heads next time they meet a latina or latino .... In the end this what happens when you get somebody that knows nothing about Latin culture writing a book about one.
Reading the hyphenated miss Alisa Valdez -Rodriguez bio would reveal as to why of this mishap. Simply stated she is the daughter of a Cuban father and an American (Irish descent ) mother...HMMmmm ...No wonder, next time miss Valdez please use your maternal last name so you can spare us the embarrassment of calling you a latina.
Rating:
Summary: Litina Stereotypes Come Aline, y'all!
Review: I read this book very quickly and yes, it was a fun read. I do recommend it but buyer beware! If you already knew that Porto Rico was a US territory or that New Mexico was a state well, there's not much else to learn. The mission of this book was to break down stereotypes of individuals of Hispanic heritage but really, it does NOT. Some characters adhere so tightly to their stereotype, it's a crying shame. All that talk about the Dominican Republic! Has the author ever been there? Of course, the young Dominican male character has to be a drug dealer. He has to support his mother dying of cancer who is taking care of orphan children in the DR! The protagonist saves her young Dominican lover and any reader with sense will cringe. It's condescending and patronizing.
Let's not forget the Cuban man raised in Miami is a macho pig and batterer--of course he is. What else could he be? The writing is fun and snappy but the dialogue is thin and basically it's all summary. Story lines are set up but quickly wrapped up in a few paragraphs. This book has the potential to be great, but it isn't. The author simply fed on all the stereotypes and unwillingly validated a few of them. All that talktalktalk and nothing to say.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good!
Review: I very much enjoyed "The Dirty Girls Social Club". I just happened to pick up this book at a book fair a while back and was instantly pulled into the lives of the "sucias". Each sucia tells parts of her life (and her friend's lives) from her own perspective. The sucias became friends while attending college in Boston. Every couple of months they meet up and catch up with each other's lives. The lives of Lauren, Usnavys, Sara, Rebecca, and Amber are all very interesting. Their lives are full of sorrow, pride, success, shame, joy, independence, and love - all the things that make a good read. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the character Amber. I found myself getting very bored with her chapters and skipping over them to read more about the other sucias. Either her character wasn't as developed as the others, or she just wasn't very interesting. Overall, I would suggest this book to anyone who would like a light, easy read about 5 very different women who share the common bond of friendship.
Rating: 
Summary: The Dirty Girls Social Club
Review: It's a "girly" book. I can relate to all the characters in the book, except for the Amber. Amber's character simply throws me off, it's like they needed to have the mexican be someone important and a singer is all the author could come up with. I have an "Amber" type of friend and a more realistic career choice is a photographer. Over all the book is an okay/funny vacational book.
Rating:
Summary: Look Out: Las Sucias Are Here to Stay
Review: Six Latina women, friends since college at Boston University, meet biannually for a session of bonding. Together, they strengthen their ties through tears of sadness, loss, career woes, and man trouble and celebrate their joys as well. They call themselves Las Sucias, the Dirty Girls in solidarity with their Latin background. These chicas are not to be dismissed as the everyday Salsa dancing, loud color wearing Latinas we are exposed to in the media. They are from different economic backgrounds, parts of the country, and were raised with different values and even religions. This book, The Dirty Girls Social Club was all the buzz long before its release, the author, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez being touted as the Latina equivalent of Terry McMillan. Indeed, the sucias do have a special sister-girl thing going. Are they loud and outspoken? You bet. Lauren Fernandez, a columnist for the Boston Gazette, is opinionated and confrontational as she endures the ignorance of her Ivy League colleagues and the humiliations of her cheating fiancée. With a Cuban father who is still waiting for Castro to die so he can go back to his beloved country and an Irish trailer trash mother from New Orleans, she eagerly takes on La Raza for fear of being found to be a fake. Takes from her column, Mi Vida, are a prelude to each chapter. Are they sassy? You bet. Usnavys, pronounced Oooh-na-vees, not US Navys, which is what her Puerto Rican mother named her in honor of a ship. She grew up poor in the Boston projects, abandoned by her black Dominican father. She is a proud full-figured woman who uses her looks, achievements and credit cards to ward off her fears of being poor again. Which is why she cannot let herself love Juan. Yes, she does love him but you see he is poor, though highly educated and in love with Usnavys. Rebecca Baca, from Albuquerque, dismisses the label of Mexican or Indian. You see her long established family of ranchers and business owners have occupied New Mexico for generations and boast of pure Spanish blood. Republican and conservative to a fault, she married a blond man who is chronically depressed and disappointed that she is not a "real Latina". She finds herself attracted to Andre, a Brit of Nigerian descent, who is also the financier of her Latina magazine, Ella. Sara, a Jewish Cuban from Miami, is a white blonde Latina whose looks defy what a Latina should look like. She has it all. The rich, handsome husband, Roberto and the twin five-year old boys and a home in a ritzy part of Boston. She is known as the clumsy one but only her best friend and maid know that she is a victim of spousal abuse. Elizabeth, a former model and now talk show hostess, is as her boss tells her an equal opportunity poster model. She is black with a Hispanic name and background and talks white. Born in Columbia, she and her mother have never let their color be an obstacle-it turns out race is the least of her barriers. A born-again Christian, she is hiding deep secrets that could possibly destroy her career in conservative Boston. And Amber, who grew up Valley Girl in southern California, oblivious of her Mexican American heritage until she gets to college. It is there she discovers the Latin culture and her Mexican heritage in particular. She proudly claims her Aztec and Mayan backgrounds and joins the indigenous Mexica movement. She has been in the Rock en Espanol business for ten years, singing underground and producing her own records with her lover/husband, Gato, a native Mexican, with insecurities about her budding career. She changes her name to Cuicatl after an naming ceremony and then success becomes a reality. Is it all too much? Told in the first person point of view of each of the six sucias, readers are treated to a front row view of the day in the lives of educated, middle/high class young women of Hispanic background. Some readers may think the ending is a little too pat and some naysayers will say it is unrealistic. But it is possible. Yes, it is and this novel opens up the door for more possibilities in telling Latina stories. A new voice in contemporary Latino literature, I look forward to Valdes-Rodriguez's next venture which promises to be every bit as stimulating. Dera Williams
Rating:
Summary: Take it for what it is ... and you'll enjoy it!
Review: As a latina who went to school in Cambridge and continues to live in New England, I found this book to be right on the mark as it pertains to the experiences some of these women go through. Once I got over the title (which I never related to), I definitely enjoyed the stories and saw myself pictured in many ways. A number of issues are discussed lightly, such as abuse, drug dealing, and that macho behavior. But the idea of the book, as I perceive it, is just to mention those issues as those that the Latin community has to deal with everyday. I bought the book after I read an interview in a magazine during a flight, and decided to buy it (despite the name). From cover to cover, I couldn't put it down. It's the first time that I see myself portrayed in a book about highly educated immigrant women.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: This book is wonderful! I bought it based on a recommendation from a fellow "sucia"... couldn't put it down. It's a fabulous tale of friendship, romance, and culture. Alisa knows what she's talking about. Every Latina is one of these characters. This is a laugh out loud book full of everything you're looking for from a book. Buy it today!
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