Powered By Blogger
"If I could only have one food for the rest of my life? That's easy-Pez. Cherry-flavored Pez. No question about it," (Vern, Stand By Me).

Monday, April 26, 2010

Move it football head!

I can't help but think of the children's television show, "Hey Arnold" as I read this book. The narrator Esperanza not only speaks about her life, but about the lives of many people around her. I find this interesting because a few chapters seem to have nothing to do with her, with the exception that these people live near her, in the same 'ghetto' she is in. (By the way, i was wondering just what the poverty was like in chicago so i found this documentary. PBS did it so i am assuming it is the real deal)

Sally- the promiscuous girl whose father abuses her
Minerva- the young mother whose boyfriend abuses her
Ruthie- the young woman that laughs to herself and can whistle really well
Mamacita- the large woman who doesn't speak english and who doesn't want her baby boy to
Darius- the kid who likes clouds and girls
...
As you can see there are a lot of characters in this book. but it is so short, i wasn't even expecting it.
i cannot decided whether or not i am a fan of this book yet. i finished it. i was happy...
like heres the thing
i felt that i didn't get enough from Esperanza. i wanted to here more. once in awhile she would mention something, that was well.... worth mentioning. the fact that she was sexually assaulted, or that she felt awkward going to another place, whereas people felt awkward and unsafe being where she lived.
she knew a lot about people. i feel like she was a people watcher.
Book wasn't bad. just not the best i have read in my life. or that was part of this round robin...


1 comment:

Dr. Zeit Geist said...

Hah, "Hey Arnold," great show, great comparison. It does have that feel of a documentary. I completely agree of wanting to here more from Esperanza, and just more in general. I felt that I couldn't get "into" the book because of how little was there. However, I do feel there was a lot for other characters. I disagree that you couldn't get to know them. MAngo Street developed its side characters very well, in my opinion. I agree with everything else.