Reviews

Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros

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Definitely my kind of book. I love Sandra Cisneros, she writes in, my opinion, so well that I always feel like I have lived as a part of her character's history; especially in this book. A book of family, heritage, experiences and full of history; it's always great to learn some extra facts! Well written and makes me really miss my own family and stories.

helamansanchez's review

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lavrendy's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5!

Multi-generational stories can be both dry and fascinating, and this book had moments for both. I loved Lala’s narration and was less interested in the stories of her distant relatives, although it did all come together to paint a beautiful picture of life as Mexican-Americans.

irene_lear's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

liliantreacy's review

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

moth_dance's review

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5.0

Lozana. Vívida. Épica.
Lectura Obligatoria.
//
Lush. Vivid. Epic.
REQUIRED READING.

I wish I had this book with me when I was in high school. And when I started my first year of college. And when I moved to an new city. And when I felt alone and lonely.

So many times in school and college, I've struggled with "the great American novel" created by these "great American authors." But tbh this is it. Sandra Cisneros is the great American author and Caramelo is the great American novel. Unlearn what the public school system has told you. Decolonize your bookshelf. Realize the fact of the matter is that immigrant families living and loving in America and beyond are just as passionate and complex and beautiful as all those other novels with Euro-centric characters and plots.

Dickens is dead. Cisneros is living. Not just literally, but figuratively too.

Thank you for this gift, Sandra Cisneros. I say your name with total admiration.

book_concierge's review

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3.0

This is the story of four generations of Reyes family, told by the youngest member - Lala. She recounts tales of her parents, grandparents and great grandparents, mixing the timeing and sequence just as they might be revealed over the years at multiple family gatherings. Her descriptions are priceless - a man who cut his own hair looks like "his head had been chewed by coyotes."

I first read the book in Nov 2003 on my own because I'd been a fan of Sandra Cisneros for some time. At the time I didn't recommend it to either of my two book clubs because of the amount of Spanish used (both groups had complained about similar "difficulties" with other books).

In 2008 my Hispanic book club chose this book so I read it a second time. I'm less enthralled than at first. Her writing is poetic, but the middle section of this novel is disjointed.

ezreaadingo's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was an epic book in the sense that it followed multiple generations of an entire family across time and across borders (Mexico-US). Such a great book. It does jump around a bit so pay attention. Great family saga! There were small parts that were a little slow but it all came together fantastically.