The House on Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros
1984
110 pages
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For my BFF, the FTC: I bought this one. Unfortunately, I don’t have the receipt, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.
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From the back of the book:
Told in a series of vignettes stunning for their eloquence, The House on Mango Street is Sandra Cisneros’s greatly admired novel of a young girl frowing up in the Latino section of Chicago. Acclaimed by critics, beloved by children, their parents and grandparents, taught everywhere from inner-city grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, it has entered the canon of coming-of-age classics.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous, The House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, whose neighborhood is one of harsh realities and harsh beauty. Esperanza doesn’t want to belong – not to her rundown neighborhood, and not to the low expectations the world has for her. Esperanza’s story is that of a young girl coming into her power, and inventing for herself what she will become.
And that says it all. And since I agree with it all, I have nothing more to say.
Ha, Jill, your review made me laugh from its beginning (and the message to the FTC) to its end! Brilliant.
I purchased Caramelo recently and can’t wait to read it and The House on Mango Street, both.
.-= Claire (Paperback Reader)´s last blog ..Recent Acquisitions =-.
I had to go and check out Caramelo, as I hadn’t heard of it. It sounds fantastic, too!
I have heard so much about this book. All of it good, too! Must get around to reading it someday.
I agree, you must.
I really loved this little book back when I read it in 2007…lovely!
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Other Press – An Interesting Source for Books =-.
It was lovely. And heartbreaking, all at the same time.
I really wish I could have loved this one, but alas I’m again the lone hate-this-wretched-book voice. :/
Why am I not surprised? ;-D
I really can relate. Sometimes the back of the book says it so well it’s impossible to add or change anything. And don’t you just hate that? How do these back-of-the-book writers do it so well and so easily?!!!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of “Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” by Alan Bradley =-.
That’s why they have that job. And we don’t. Unfortunately.
No excuse for not getting around to reading this short book. Must do it soon.
.-= Lisa´s last blog .."Comfort Living: A Back-to-Basics Guide To a More Balanced Lifestyle" by Christine Eisner =-.
It’ll only take a few hours!
I think I maybe read this in high school, or at least excerpts from it. And now I don’t remember hardly anything about it….looks like it’s time for a reread!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Review: Poppy Shakespeare, Clare Allan =-.
I could see re-reading this one. And I don’t say that about very many books.
I need to read this. I loved her novel Caramelo.
Everyone’s recommending Caramelo…I need to get my hands on a copy!
It’s nice to see a book that lives up to its blurb!
I know…truth in advertising can be difficult to find!
I read this in college and loved it. I keep meaning to read more Cisneros, but I never have. I’m glad you liked it too!
.-= nomadreader (Carrie)´s last blog ..Orange Prize: 2010 shortlist =-.
This was my intro to Cisneros, too.
Wasn’t this great?! And then I read Caramelo, and it was even better! Craziness.
.-= Eva´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: the April Showers Post =-.
And bonus, it’s way longer!
I hadn’t realised this was so short! I’m saying this because between your post and a friend’s recommendation recently, I’m dying to read it. And I seem to have convinced myself that I’m not *really* breaking my ban if I get a short book
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..March by Geraldine Brooks =-.
I read almost the entire book in the time it took to walk 2 miles on the treadmill. So I don’t think it counts for your ban at all!
I really enjoyed this book as well when I read it! I love that you didn’t feel you needed to add anything to the description; that’s great
.-= Helen´s last blog ..It’s Monday! What are you reading? =-.
The book’s so darn short, there wasn’t much that I could’ve added!
I must consider this review approach for the future!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Question of the Week: Life-Changing Books =-.
It’s pretty low stress, I highly recommend it.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book though I couldn’t really tell you what exactly I expected.
.-= Care´s last blog ..And Finally… =-.
I plucked it off the shelf because I’ve been having trouble finishing anything. And it was short, so I figured it was a good bet. It wasn’t what I expected, either.
I have this one. Where is came from, I have no idea! I need to read it.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon =-.
It’s been forever since I read this! I’m thinking like high school forever-ago. I think maybe I should pick it up again!
Love the review by the way! LOL.
.-= The1stdaughter´s last blog ..Eat, Nap, Play by Robyn Spizman and Evelyn Sacks Review and Giveaway =-.
I have heard so many good things about this one (particularly from Lu). I really need to get around to reading it. I feel as though it’s another modern classic I’m missing from my repertoire.
.-= She´s last blog ..Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury =-.
I read parts of this in one of my college classes and loved it so much I had to buy it so I could experience the whole thing. I think it’s time for a reread.
I loved this book. It’s small size is really deceptive considering how many big ideas it holds. I’m hosting a giveaway of it if anyone’s interested. BTW, I’m new to this blog and enjoying it.
.-= Chelle´s last blog ..The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins =-.
Love this book so much! I had read it numerous times since hs/college. And Caramelo is so good, too. A longer version of this!
.-= kiss a cloud´s last blog ..April was =-.