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A review by perpetualpages
Sister Chicas by Lisa Alvarado, Jane Alberdeston Coralin, Jane Alberdeston, Ann Hagman Cardinal
4.0
I have to say, I'm crazy about this book; it made me love my own heritage more than I ever knew that I could, and it's opened a door for me to Latinx literature that I don't think I'll ever be able to shut.
Race has never been a boundary for me, and that's been clear because I, as a Mexican-American reader, am expected to find parts of myself within a plethora of characters—many of which, let's face it, are white. Now I want to actively seek out characters who are more like me in the most basic of ways: we come from the same place, we share the same struggles, we carry the same voice.
This novel was amazing in that sense; I identified strongly with each of the three main characters and I found their stories not only to be well-written, but to be honest and authentic—something sorely lacking in novels written by non-Latinx authors who try to write Latinx characters. I often find those characters to be caricatures and an assortment of distorted stereotypes rather than actual, relatable human beings. However, the characters in THIS book were strong and their voices were undeniable, they were so genuine and true to their origin.
I loved the incorporation of Spanish phrases and snippets scattered throughout the narration. They were mixed in almost as much as any English phrase, and I felt like even if a reader didn't have the advantage of speaking the language—as I did, to some extent—that everything was still understandable, because the FEEL of the language came through so clearly. It was also so amazing to see so many discernible Spanish words in the text, because they felt rich and all-encompassing, capturing emotions and descriptions that sometimes English wants for. I thought the representation of Latinx culture was just amazing, and as a Chicanx myself, I can say that it all just radiated pure truth
In my edition of the book, there's a reader's guide included in the back. The first question asks which of the three characters you identified with most and why. I can't answer that question, because all three girls so authentically voiced some piece of my life: Taina had the overbearing, traditional Mom averse to change; Grachi had the tough parents with high expectations to whom she felt indebted because of their continual sacrifice; and Leni struggled with assimilating her Puerto Rican culture with that of her American culture—trying to figure how to reconcile the rocker within her with her homeland and wondering if there is a guy out there who can not only respect her culture, but understand it.
Each girl told beautiful, rich tales of estranged family, cultures overshadowed, first loves, and so much more. I enjoyed the true sisterhood these characters shared, and seeing how they supported each other in more than surface ways. All three storylines—and the ways they intersected and diverged—were so interesting and unique. I loved that there was one author for each voice, because it really helped them to be distinctive and valid, yet they all worked together tremendously.
I really can't say enough about this book; I'm grateful to it for opening my eyes and presenting me with truly identifiable characters that were so representative of who I am—of the Mexican in "Mexican-American." There was humor, heart, and inescapable realism woven through each perspective. I highly encourage all contemporary lovers to embrace this book, because it is beautifully created and an extraordinary coming of age story outside of the traditionally comfortable boundaries of the genre.
Race has never been a boundary for me, and that's been clear because I, as a Mexican-American reader, am expected to find parts of myself within a plethora of characters—many of which, let's face it, are white. Now I want to actively seek out characters who are more like me in the most basic of ways: we come from the same place, we share the same struggles, we carry the same voice.
This novel was amazing in that sense; I identified strongly with each of the three main characters and I found their stories not only to be well-written, but to be honest and authentic—something sorely lacking in novels written by non-Latinx authors who try to write Latinx characters. I often find those characters to be caricatures and an assortment of distorted stereotypes rather than actual, relatable human beings. However, the characters in THIS book were strong and their voices were undeniable, they were so genuine and true to their origin.
I loved the incorporation of Spanish phrases and snippets scattered throughout the narration. They were mixed in almost as much as any English phrase, and I felt like even if a reader didn't have the advantage of speaking the language—as I did, to some extent—that everything was still understandable, because the FEEL of the language came through so clearly. It was also so amazing to see so many discernible Spanish words in the text, because they felt rich and all-encompassing, capturing emotions and descriptions that sometimes English wants for. I thought the representation of Latinx culture was just amazing, and as a Chicanx myself, I can say that it all just radiated pure truth
In my edition of the book, there's a reader's guide included in the back. The first question asks which of the three characters you identified with most and why. I can't answer that question, because all three girls so authentically voiced some piece of my life: Taina had the overbearing, traditional Mom averse to change; Grachi had the tough parents with high expectations to whom she felt indebted because of their continual sacrifice; and Leni struggled with assimilating her Puerto Rican culture with that of her American culture—trying to figure how to reconcile the rocker within her with her homeland and wondering if there is a guy out there who can not only respect her culture, but understand it.
Each girl told beautiful, rich tales of estranged family, cultures overshadowed, first loves, and so much more. I enjoyed the true sisterhood these characters shared, and seeing how they supported each other in more than surface ways. All three storylines—and the ways they intersected and diverged—were so interesting and unique. I loved that there was one author for each voice, because it really helped them to be distinctive and valid, yet they all worked together tremendously.
I really can't say enough about this book; I'm grateful to it for opening my eyes and presenting me with truly identifiable characters that were so representative of who I am—of the Mexican in "Mexican-American." There was humor, heart, and inescapable realism woven through each perspective. I highly encourage all contemporary lovers to embrace this book, because it is beautifully created and an extraordinary coming of age story outside of the traditionally comfortable boundaries of the genre.