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xallroyx21's review
4.0
I picked this up last year at the NCTE convention. It looked like something the boys in my class could be interested in. I liked how he breaks down gender norms in society using himself and those around him as examples. Some may say it is a memoir/biography, but it is not linear in any way. It goes more by topics and with that there is some repetition, but not too much. It is confusing at times because I would try to remember what else was going on when he would talk about a particular topic.
Anyway, Carlos is not a perfect being and he lets you know that he used women and did some things to his family that he is not proud of. He tries to do the right thing and learns forgiveness in the end. I guess I was a little put off about his negativity about things that are "American" or "white". They are not perfect as well and maybe they deserve some forgiveness? I think this country has evolved a lot, but it is slower in some places? Is it really a race issue or a class issue? Just because a bad experience was had in one town in Connecticut doesn't mean that everywhere it is like that. You don't want to alienate people. Let them know where you come from, but don't judge.
I also really liked the poems in between the chapters and that Carlos is really trying to use his art to make the world a better place.
Anyway, Carlos is not a perfect being and he lets you know that he used women and did some things to his family that he is not proud of. He tries to do the right thing and learns forgiveness in the end. I guess I was a little put off about his negativity about things that are "American" or "white". They are not perfect as well and maybe they deserve some forgiveness? I think this country has evolved a lot, but it is slower in some places? Is it really a race issue or a class issue? Just because a bad experience was had in one town in Connecticut doesn't mean that everywhere it is like that. You don't want to alienate people. Let them know where you come from, but don't judge.
I also really liked the poems in between the chapters and that Carlos is really trying to use his art to make the world a better place.
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