Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories [Paperback]

Esmeralda Santiago (Author), Joie Davidow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 1999

Twenty-five celebrated Latino writers delight and move us with their recollections of Christmas in this splendid holiday extravaganza.
From Julia Alvarez's tale of how Santicló delivered a beloved uncle from political oppression to Junot Díaz's story of his own uneasy assimilation on his first Christmas in America, to Sandra Cisneros's poignant memories of her late father's holiday dinners, Las Christmas gives us true stories from writers of many traditions--memories of Christmas and Hanukkah that vividly capture the pride and pain, joy and heartbreak, that so often accompany the holidays in the Americas.
Richly illustrated and embellished with songs and poems, along with recipes for an unforgettable Christmas dinner--from traditional sweet tamales to Puerto Rican asopao (stew) and coquito (coconut eggnog)--this is an enduring treasury of Latino writing to read again and again.
A heartwarming holiday gift.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Twenty-five celebrated Latino writers delight and move us with their recollections of Christmas in this splendid holiday extravaganza.
From Julia Alvarez's tale of how Santicló delivered a beloved uncle from political oppression to Junot Díaz's story of his own uneasy assimilation on his first Christmas in America, to Sandra Cisneros's poignant memories of her late father's holiday dinners, Las Christmas gives us true stories from writers of many traditions--memories of Christmas and Hanukkah that vividly capture the pride and pain, joy and heartbreak, that so often accompany the holidays in the Americas.
Richly illustrated and embellished with songs and poems, along with recipes for an unforgettable Christmas dinner--from traditional sweet tamales to Puerto Rican asopao (stew) and coquito (coconut eggnog)--this is an enduring treasury of Latino writing to read again and again.
A heartwarming holiday gift. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Esmeralda Santiago is the author of the memoirs When I Was Puerto Rican and Almost a Woman, as well as a novel, América's Dream. She lives in Westchester County, New York.
Joie Davidow was a founder of the L.A. Weekly, L.A. Style magazine, and Sí, a national Latino lifestyle publication. She lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (October 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375701559
• ISBN-13: 978-0375701559
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing visit from the relatives!, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories (Paperback)

Such a fun read, even the sad stories since they, too, are part of our shared history. Can't wait to make the pernil. Helped me understand the crazy notion of "asalto" that I grew up with but had no idea was cultural in nature; I just thought my Dad was nuts. As a second generation "born here" there was so much I had an inkling about but this book taught about our history and traditions in the best way possible - through food and music, tears and laughter.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories/recipes to pass on to our generations!, December 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my daughter and before I wrapped it,I started browsing thru it. The different memories of Christmas past bought tears to my eyes when I recalled my 1st Christmas in Puerto Rico. It was so exciting going door to door and greeting our neighbors with "Parandas". The recipes included are an excellent way of passing our LATIN TRADITIONS down from generation to generation. What a great gift for anyone who is interested in how different cultures enjoy Christmas or for anyone who would like to learn to cook traditional holiday food. Recipes are very "reader friendly".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure !, November 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories (Hardcover)

Whenever I think of Christmas the memories that stay lush in my mind are those that involve our family trips to Barranquilla, Colombia where my mother is from and where most of her extended family still resides. I remember the richly decorated tables with "pasteles", meats, roast pig, "natilla", "bunuelos" and everything else that makes one's mouth water during the holiday season. I see the Christmas decorations and lights alongside my aunt's wildly colorful plants and flowers creating a surreal world for my then young eyes. I think of my drunken uncles dancing and singing all through the night, going up individually to everyone and telling us they loved us, would kill for us.. the basic macho overacting that they always succumbed to during the Holidays. This book brings back all those memories and then some. Each author leaves an indelible imprint in my mind as I reminisce with them about a desired toy that never came, a melodramatic relative causing some scandal that always prevented the little ones from going to bed, the flavors that I search for in my own cooking but can never quite find. Thanks to Ms. Davidow and Ms. Santiago's wonderful literary melange, I can now try to make some of the dishes that made me consider my relatives culinary geniuses. I am able to share these authors' memories with my friends -- memories that are so intricately wrapped up in my own. Nostalgia is always a tricky emotion to evoke in writing, or the arts for that matter, yet I feel that this book transcends the difficulty in a beautiful way. And finally, Las Christmas is not just for Latinos, it is for everyone that has fond memories of their holidays, in this country or elsewhere. It is a veritable showcase of Latino literary talent and the Latino culture. Felicitaciones!