Drink Cultura: Chicanismo [Paperback]

José Antonio Burciaga (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this collection of essays, Chicano writer Burciaga explores from Mexican American and Chicano viewpoints the complexities of being Mexican American. Many of the essays tell of the early days of the Chicano movement in Texas, which Burciaga experienced as a child. Burciaga seeks the roots of his Chicano heritage in Mexico and Texas, telling today's Mexican Americans how the Chicano movement has changed their lives for the better. His personal anecdotes of growing up a stranger to both of his native lands speak to today's immigrants, especially the second and third generations. Heartily recommended for public libraries, this is essential for any library serving a Hispanic community.
- Sharon Roman, Carroll Cty. P.L., Westminster, Md.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Joshua Odell Editions; 1st edition (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877741078
• ISBN-13: 978-1877741074
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Hispanic

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book about the true meaning of Chicanismo!, July 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Drink Cultura: Chicanismo (Paperback)

With Drink Cultura, Jose Antonio Burciaga joins the ranks of Tomas Rivera, Gloria Anzaldua, Ana Castillo and Denise Chavez, among others. Like them, Burciaga (w)rites about living within, between and sometimes outside of two cultures (5)--on the border of several marginal identities. This "limbo," as Burciaga calls it, of being "neither here nor there," however, does not come across as essentialist in his writing. Burciaga develops a multidimensional perspective that allows him to see things as funny, ironic, etc., rather than as a battle against hegemony. Like the many characters within the pages of Chicana/o fiction, in re(w)riting (his)tory, Burciaga transgresses boundaries and questions norms. In drawing from daily experience, Mesoamerican history, psychology, sociology, myths, tales, etc., Burciaga is able to construct a wittily engaging narrative that corresponds to his lived experience. By exploring the history of his culture(s) in this light, Burciaga is able to textualize the hybridity of the Chicano psyche--the Indianness, Hispanicity, Mexicanness,and Americanness; "the damnation and salvation,the celebration of it all" (5)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my FAVORITE books!, May 16, 2002

By 

Maya (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drink Cultura: Chicanismo (Paperback)

Drink Cultura is a collection of mini-autobiographical essays (26 total) about life as a Chicano in El Paso, Texas. The author tells us about his personal life, and about his personal observations concerning Chicano culture. In "Pinatas" he writes a brief history about the Pinata, and how it has evolved since then. In "The Motherland" he writes about the term Chicano, and how the connotation attached has changed over time. "The Joy of Jalapenos" was a hysterical piece about the jalapeno, and the author's 'addiction' to the spicy chiles. He's poignant, insightful, and witty. The book is so funny I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occassion. Regardless of your own race, this book really hits your funny bone. If you're not Chicano/a, this is a good start towards learning about Chicano/a life, and if you are, you'll be able to relate to a lot of the stories. I highly recommend this book. c/s

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awaken memories, January 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Drink Cultura: Chicanismo (Paperback)

Burciaga's very well written book brought many dormant memories to my husband and me. We, in many ways, lived the incidences he described in the book. It is an excellent book for many of us who also grew up during those times in "el chuko," and it is even a better history lesson to our children who never experienced the early chicano life. The vivid language and visions invoked in us the memory of the smells and the sights of that era which we will never see again.