Customer Reviews

Amigoland: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book started out strongly for me, as it is extremely well written, and I had very high hopes for it. However, as it went along, I found myself not really caring about what happened to the characters. It got a bit tedious and repetitive, and I did not see much humor in it either. I did finish it, and the ending made a bit of sense, but by that point I was too weary to really care.

Was this not what I expected. I was excited to read it since the writer has had more push than any I've seen come out. Amigoland appears to be ambitious and tries hard to be cute, for example, via use of clever character name gimmicks, which are tiresome, and virtuous via its concern for the elderly, which seems naive and overconfident both, which comes out touching like a TV commercial. I'm sorry but honestly the book is a bore and a chore to read. Casare's seems an example of the safe and comfortable "Hispanic" that some want more of instead of the less assimilated Chicano writers. Not for me, a disappointment.

While some have called this novel hilarious, it is not. It is better described as touching, wise, and absolutely wonderful. However, there are indeed comic moments to be found in this story of two brothers who have long been estranged. Ninety-one year-old Don Fidencio and his brother, Don Celestino, younger by two decades, are all that remain of eight brothers and four sisters.

When Fidencio thinks of his younger brother he realizes that they haven't spoken in years and wonders why. He doesn't even know whether or not Celestino is alive, thinking, "That the youngest was alive would make sense, he supposed, but what good reason could there be for the oldest to be alive and for the rest of his brothers and sisters to be gone?"

Don Fidencio is the reluctant resident of a Brownsville nursing home, Amigoland. Relegated there by his daughter, Amalia, and her husband known to us only as The Son Of A Bxxxx, Fidencio suffers from many of the indiginities visited upon the elderly - incontinence, insomnia, and forgetfulness. Wishing to have nothing to do with his fellow residents he has not bothered to remember their names - referring to the women as The Turtles and others by such sobriquets as The Gringo With The Ugly Finger or The One With The Worried Face. He's dosed with a variety of pills, and keeps his worldly possessions in four shoe boxes.

Don Celestino, on the other hand, is a retired barber, widowed, and engaged in a relationship with his housekeeper, Socorro, a widow in her forties who lives across the border in Matamoros. She's a kind woman who wants more than a weekly physical relationship with Celestino, she wants to know more about him. Upon learning that he has a brother she encourages Celestino to find him.

Once reunited the brothers disagree on much, primarily a story Fidencio claims to be true - that their grandfather, Papa Grande, witnessed the killing of his family and was kidnaped by Indians. In order to determine the truth this unlikely threesome sets off on a journey to Linares to find Papa Grande's 's home. El Rancho Capote.

Celestino considers the story a figment of Fidencio's wandering mind, and goes only at Socorro's behest. It's a 4-day trip during which each learns a great deal as does the reader. We're reminded of the importance of family, dignity, acceptance, love, and hope.

Casares is a magnificent writer with an eye for telling detail and an obvious respect for the characters he has created. We await more from him.

- Gail Cooke

Amigoland poignantly reminds me of my mother's old saying, "Laughing and crying come out of the same box." Comedy and Tragedy tumble over each other in this amazing book. Having been through the decline of my 95 year old stepfather whose life ended sadly in a nursing home, this story touched my heart. Casares' beautifully descriptive narrative touches the reader on numerous levels. The fact that it has a Hispanic setting simply enhances and adds color to the universal story.

In `Amigoland', Oscar Casares serves up a rich slice of life that subtly rewards the reader with the gift of life's meaning.

No matter one's age, one's life experience, or where one calls home, the storyline is timeless and universal. Mr. Casares's characters are so exquisitely drawn, you will recognize many, identify with some, and come to care about them all.

I laughed - out loud and often; I cried; and I thought about this book long after I finished it. For these reasons I wholeheartedly recommend this talented writers latest work `Amigoland'.

This is a story of getting older and all that comes with it. The characters are Mexican American but their experiences cross over to other cultures. The experiences in a nursing home, the experiences of coping with medical conditions, along with the experiences of family are all told on this journey. I recommend this book to all. At some point we will know someone who will get older if not ourselves.

I loved this book. I'm from South Texas and can relate to the characters in the book. I also read Casares' short stories in "Brownsville". Loved it too.

So that the PC Patrol does not take me away in chains, I'll just limit my review to one word:

*Yawn*

After reading Mr. Casares' Brownsville Stories, I bought this book. I find that his writing has become richer, and he has truly honed his craft. I am still pondering the sensitive, well-told story, and only wish I had others with whom I could share such a great treasure.

Amigoland works at many levels.. as a book on hispanic culture.. on aging.. on romance for the aging.. on latino family bonds..

those who can relate to the concepts above would find this book entertaining, touching and a great read.. those who yawn at any of the above should truly move on and not leave reviews of this wonderful little story..

as an aside, i listened to the audio book, read by a latino, and that added just a higher level of enjoyment to the whole experience..

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