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Summary: Absolutely painful to read..
Review: A friend of mine gave me this book for my birthday after someone else recommended it to her. We decided to read it with a group of friends, so then we could all see what it was about. Having just finished the book, I can say that I really did not enjoy reading it and had to force myself to finish it. The mix of Spanish and English may appeal to some, but to a non-Spanish speaker, it was more of a hindrance. The plot goes way off the deep end, and before there is any real character or plot development, the reader is suddenly overwhelmed with a major event, just a few pages into the book. Various details included in the story seemed rather useless and excessive, being tossed in and never brought up again, at least not in a major way. For example, the interruption of the plot to discuss the lesbian couple from Oakland was not much than that, just an interruption. The effect of these characters was so subtle that a few of my reading group friends didn't quite understand the reason for its inclusion in the book. In this example, the author seemed to lack the ability to tie it into the overall plot, merely hinting at the ramifications. However, actually bringing these minor details into the book may have been even worse, only because the book would have been longer then! If you're considering reading this "novel", I'd suggest you find a better, more well-written book to spend your time with instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Southwest Trash
Review: Although a technical masterpiece, "So Far From God" lacks any sort of intriguing plot and any real dillema altogether. This novel is a typical Southwest artwork, written in Spanglish and incredibly far fetched. No matter what genre this book is classified under, it seems to be in a league of its own, which, in this case, makes it a horrible novel. To be blunt, this novel is Southwest trash, and should be removed from the shelves immediately to make room for decent novels.
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Summary: Dynamic Latina writer
Review: Ana Castillo is a dynamic latina writer that taps into the ephemeral. She designs her stories like Frida Kahlo painted. As one reads So Far From God unconscious images are conjured into the conscious. In re-reading her material, new images are formed. A reader is tempted to return to such a book because it is so well written and the sensual and spiritual messages of the text speak to you as a women...
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Summary: Proud to share her birthday
Review: Ana Castillo is a goddess. I read this book while in England- it made me homesick. Smart and beautiful prose to keep close long after finishing the book.
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Summary: The Poetry of Life and the World Beyond.....
Review: Ana Castillo truly takes us for an unforgettable trip as we take a glimpse into the lives of Sofi, a Chicana woman, and her four daughters, Esperanza (Hope), Caridad (Charity), Fe (Faith), and La Loca (The Crazy One). The story reads like an epic parable about life, death, sexuality and the bridge between the world of the living and the afterlife. It also raises very important questions about the division between heaven and hell and whether is really such a bad place after all in comparison with the life that we come to accept. Each woman in this story is touched by fate in unexpected, and (sometimes) supernatural ways. While Esperanza, the successful, upwardly mobile sister acts on her name and is relocated to Iraq as part of her journalism work, her sister Caridad becomes a faith healer, Fe loses her voice after a fit of desperate screaming, and La Loca cheats death as a young toddler only to become the subject of social scrutiny in their community as an isolated loner with a sixth sense only understandable to her mother, Sofi. This book is truly enjoyed when you suspend disbelief and just go with the supernatural and magical elements. SO FAR FROM GOD is true poetry, and also very important in cultural studies. It was assigned to me in a comparative literature class through the department of American Ethnic Studies with the following books: The Grass Dancer, A Lesson Before Dying, Ruby Ridge, and Homebase. (Books also worth checking out!)
Rating:
Summary: Don't Ever Read This Book
Review: Anyone who doesn't want to put themselves through hours of misery will stay as far away from this book as possible. It is so bad that I don't even know where to begin. My first problem with this book is that every couple of words are written in Spanish or something like it. I don't know Spanish and the words are most likely slang anyway. I also found that graphic depictions of human mutilations were completely disgusting and show very little class on the author's part. Almost every event in this book is in now way based in any kind of reality and the creation of an unsobered mind. The blatant homosexuality and sex outside of marriage were completely uncalled for and offensive. I will never read a novel by this author again and maybe not even in this genre. However, if you do want to read a Chicano novel that is at least remotely acceptable get one by Sandra Cisneros like House on Mango Street. The best alternative would be to go watch television. I pity anyone who could ever actually enjoy this book. So Far From God gets one star because it would not allow me to give a negative number.
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Summary: My Daughter,My son the Eagle, the Dove
Review: As a teacher in the Kankakee School District, and as a Teacher for the Summer Migrant School Program I can visibly see how I can utilized the book, My Daughter, My son, the Eagle, the Dove. Following the Jr. High or High School level Social Studies/History on Mexican History I could intergrate Ana's Castillo's book into the unit. It is a small,light weight book with illustrations that can be open for discussions on the Aztec culture. The illustrations are colorful and realistic, not cartoonish! Teachers, if you should like to teach the core beliefs and teachings of the Aztec culture this is the book to obtain and let your expertise and creativeness guide you. As a mother of young children it is a pleasant book to share with children. It is not only a time to cuddle with them but to reinforce their self esteem, value, and direction in life. As a Latina with a beloved son and a precious daughter I can share with them the the HUEHUEHTLATOLLI, the ancient word, in an understandable poetic manner. Clearly, the author has managed to succeed and accomplish this task. In conclusion,I was excited to see this book because as a creative teacher I would be able to conjure art projects, creative writing assignments and simple research projects. This book is must buy!
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Summary: So Far from God Takes Readers Before His Presence
Review: As an avowed Ana Castillo fan, I always think hat herlatest book is my favorite. After doingsome serious soul-searching, I ve decided that So Far From God remains my personal favorite book-- not just of Castillo's work, but indeed, one of the best books ever, a book that seemed to be written to feed what my soul hungered for and what nerve needed tickling. So Far from God is funny, angry, consciousness-lifting and in the end a spiritually transforming book that brings the reader to the realization that forgiveness of those who have trespassed against us is as far as we can go as human beings. A set of four sisters and their Amazon mother are abandoned by their father. Each sister lives, endures her individual tragedy and love -- each with her specific brand of success-- but what we see unfold before our eyes is HOW they manage to mend themselves, heal when others less strong yet pliant would have collapsed. La Loca Santa is a hilarious section that deals with one of the sister who is erroneously deemed dead. Take it from there -- no use in spoiling a sweet, delicious tale. The laughter La Loca Santa evokes in the reader will certainly cause friends and family to peer and check if you've gone nuts. Yes, each sister is loved and is spurned by love, but the favorite and most enduring character is La Mamá who seems to expand in strength and wisdom as the book progresses. She even becomes the town mayor and by that time, we want to link her with Gore! The novel not only deal with women's issues. Small town cruelties, environmental pollution, the plight of the disenfranchised and how to deal with the dad who ran away are all touched upon with a deft, powerful stroke. Forgiveness, the gift of charity surfaces and floats within the reader's heart long after the story has ended.
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Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: Beautiful, poignant, intelligent storytelling. This is a must read for all daughters and mothers everywhere. Castillo has the true gift of understanding people and their relationships. The characters are rich and full of life. I could not put the book down!
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Summary: A must-read for mothers and daughters everywhere!
Review: Beautifully written! Castillo charmingly combines poetic insight into life with sarcastic humor and good-hearted lightness. She both thoughfully explains how a mother and her daughters struggle to find themselves and gently pokes fun at the human struggle through comic exaggeration that reads like folklore.
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