Customer Reviews

I, Juan de Pareja

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Based on "thin threads" of truth, "I, Juan de Pareja" explores the relationship between famous 17th-century Spanish painter Diego Velazquez and his black slave, Juan de Pareja. Written in first person as if Juan is really telling his story, it is the chronicle of much of Juan's life and and his colorful experiences as apprentice to a master painter.

There are many excellent aspects of this book, yet I think that the "strength" of the character of Juan is the book's biggest asset. Many books that are simply first person narratives are dry and boring, yet one could never complain of boredom while reading "I, Juan de Pareja." Juan's intelligence shines through in every page and his intuitiveness fills the book with detail. Also, his struggle to paint (because Spanish slaves at the time were forbidden to practice the arts) is fascinating, suspenseful, and ultimately inspiring. This book would not be a 5-star read without a strong character like Juan.

Historical detail also adds great richness to the book. Author de Trevino has captured the mood of 17th century Spain perfectly, and her accounts of Juan's Italian travels fascinate the reader as well. Art facts and descriptions are well-placed, and the reader will find themselves interested in the rich history presented in the book, rather than bored by it.

Furthermore, supporting characters are excellent! The portrayal of Diego Velazquez was well-imagined by the author, and the master painter's comments ring with insight and truth. The nobles, the painter's family, the Spanish king, Dutch painter Ruebens...they all come to life in "I, Juan de Pareja."

Finally, the end of the book is triumphant and fitting. I can't say much more without spoiling the book, but trust me, it's one of the most well-done endings you could find. It is hard to find a single flaw in this book. Vibrant history, excellent characters...why aren't more people reading this book?

One reason the story is so powerful is because it is NOT an adrenaline-packed full-bodied cry against social injustice. It's a quiet, beautiful story, and these very qualities highlight why slavery was such an insidious institution.

Some reviewers claim the book is slow. They are right, but let's examine the slowness in a little more detail. First of all, the book is intended to be a realistic look at a fictional person (not a biography as reviews state), which forced the author to cut back on the "page-turner" syndrome we're affected with today. (I'm going to sound preachy here, but most people don't lead perilous lives!! We aren't secretly spies, we don't get lost on islands populated by enigmatic others, and we don't become pop stars on American Idol.)

The book lacks whips, and bloodhounds, and chases across Southern swamps in the moonlight with a baby strapped to the hero's back.

But that doesn't make the book any less of a voice against slavery.

The sheer genius of the book is that it shows why slavery was an accepted part of life, and also shows why slavery is wrong. Juanico (he's referred to by a child's name for almost the entire book) is well-fed, he's loved, he's taken care of. He's a model slave leading a perfect life of servitude. At the time people would point to slaves like Juanico and say slavery clearly wasn't evil because Juan was well-treated.

As privileged readers, however, we know Juan doesn't like his permanent childlike state. He wants to paint. He wants it bad enough to steal from a man who has served as his father figure. Bad enough to risk death.

That's what slavery is all about -- limiting someone's life based on the color of their skin. By showing us Juan's pain Tervino shows that even the mildest form of slavery is wrong.

Juan writes his memoir after Vasquez's death, but (if memory serves) we never know precisely how long after the death. Personally I think the death is recent, and Juan is still processing the injustice of what happened to him. Without modern therapy to help him touch his inner rage he might never rail against Diego Velasquez, who he loved.

Other reviewers don't like how Velasquez "forgot" to free Juan. To me that is one of the most realistic parts of the book. Velasquez saw Juanico as a child, as a slave, for almost the entire book. He never frees Juan because he doesn't see Juan as a man and an equal. This mindset lasts right up to the point when he sees Juan's paintings. At that moment their relationship shifts. Diego suddenly sees Juan as an equal, and in that moment he frees Juan.

Several reviewers also seem to want some retribution; a better, more climatic ending. I personally like the ending because it's realistic. Juan comes to terms with what life has dealt him, maintaining the quiet dignity that makes him such a strong character.

Trevino's 1966 Newbery winner may seem a sleeper by today's standards of violence and adult themes in YA literature. Nevertheless, I consider it an excellent representative for both Biography and Historical Fiction genres. Careful research yields authentic 17th century detail as Trevnio recreates the Baroque court of Spain, from the viewpoint of the royal painter, Diego Velasquez, and his faithful Black slave, Juan de Pareja.

Narrated in the first person by Juanico from his sheltered childhood, this gently-paced book relates the historical events and reconstructed dialogue and emotions for much of his life. The poor boy suffered horribly at the hands of a cruel gypsy mule driver, but once he reached the haven of his new master in Madrid, such torture would never be inflicted on him again. Juan disovers that he also possesses artistic talents and ambitions, but in Baroque Spain it was illegal for a slave to practice any form of art. Thus he had to steal colors and paint in secret, as the punishment for disobedience to this particular law was most severe--even unto death.

During this partial biography of the great court painter, Velasquez, we meet two other famous artists who visited the master: Rubens and Murillo. We are treated to private, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the blond King and his pompous entourage. As Juan travels in Italy with his famous Master, he receives conflicting impressions of Italians and their artistic style. Yet he earns the respect of those around him with his impressive, folkoric healing skills. But art is his private passion; he refuses to stop painting on the sly. Since he is an honest man, such deception causes him great guilt and shame. Otherwise, his life as a slave is almost enviable, since he does not chafe at the yoke of slavery--he merely resents the unfair restrictions on talent based on inherited bondage.

I was impressed by his loyalty to and sincere devotion for the Master, even after Velasquez changed their status. This story reveals the meaning of true friendship, which knows no racial or ethnic barriers. This is an excellent book for Black History relations; it includes a brief discussion of mankind's great curse: slavery. There are different ways to accomplish the goal of peaceful coexistence between races; this book leads introspective readers to reflect on the philosophy of Life.

I read this book in the sixth grade, and I thought I should just read it because my teacher, Ms. Aperribay, had us and I didn't want to get a "F" for this work. So I read it, bored with it in the first chapter. Then... I thought it was wonderful! Juan de Pareja is a true story of a slave of the famous painter, Diego de Silva y Velazquez, and he studies, just by watching, the arts of true painting. Secretly, he does his own pieces, and they are beautiful! He wishes he could share it with someone, but if he tells, he will be sinned because slaves aren't supposed to paint! This book disserves a 100 thumbs up, but I guess there is no such thing. I read this in spanish, and even though I didn't understand it well, I loved it.

I just finished reading this novel to my children. The prose is beautiful and my children are too young to appreciate sentence structure and word usage, but not too young to hang on every lovely phrase, even when not quite knowing what it means. This was a gentle introduction to the world of slavery. Children in the U.S. often think of it as just a part of our history and not part of the history of the world (in this case, Spain) which continues to this day in many parts of the globe. It is good for them to know that respect for human freedom is something that people have been fighting for many years before our civil war (in this case the mid-17th century).

As for the critics who needed more action, good literature is not a comic book. There are some stories which unfold on dark, velvety canvases like Velazquez, subtle and rich. Others complain that Juan didn't seem to mind being a slave..where was the outrage? Toward the end of the book another slave provides a contrast in attitude, and throughout the book it is clear that Juan is strangely at peace with his life as a servant. In my daughter's opinion, Juan felt loved and his masters were kind and never whipped him like you usually hear. He enjoyed his work and it was in his persona to be content and not dwell on the negative-the fictionalized character of Juan de Pareja is one we came to care for.

In addition, this was a great choice for art appreciation. After reading the book, we looked at works by Velazquez and by Juan de Pareja on the internet and instead of being old works by Spanish masters, it was like meeting old friends.

Here I am, 27 years old and writing about a book I read when I was 11 or so. Juan de Pareja was a slave, a man of courage and devotion to his painter master who takes up painting itself. As a historical novel for youngsters, it just doesn't get any better. I remember reading it and wondering how my peers couldn't also be into this kind of writing.

My daughter read this book first a few years ago and enjoyed it so much she read it twice. Then her brother and sister and I each read it. We all enjoyed it. We had been studying this time period and I found this book to be realistic and informative. The story line is about Juan's life as a slave and an artist, and that in itself is quite interesting if you enjoy learning about how people lived in other times and places. The fact that Juan was a real person in history, and that much of the story is based on truth makes it even more enjoyable to read. The book is well written and descriptive, but not bogged down in description. We liked it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very detailed and each chapter kept my interest. I would suggest this book to other students. It shows the reader that you should give each person a chance no matter who they are or what background they come from.

I credit this book with starting my interest in painting. It also opened my eyes to the cruelty of slavery.

I read this when I was 10, and my memories are few, but I do remember that this book was very sad, and beautifully written. As a child, however, I had a very short attention span, and at times this book lost my interest. I remember it as being very long. I would recommend it to artistic and intelligent children.

This book is one of my favorites ever. It has a smooth flowing plot. There is a lot of action and there isn't. It depends on your definition of action. There is action between the character's relationship and setting. But there are no battles, etc. It a good story. It will make you want to read it over and over.