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The Last of the Menu Girls [Paperback]

Denise Chavez (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)


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Paperback, January 1986 --  

Book Description

January 1986
Rocío Esquibel is a girl growing up in a Southern New Mexico town with her mother and sister. She defines her neighborhood by its trees—the willow, the apricot and the one they call the marking-off tree. Rocio knows she was born in the closet where she and her sister now take turns looking at the picture of Jesus whose eyes light up in the dark. But at night she enters a magical realm, and in her imaginary Blue Room, she can fly. At first she is a mesmerized observer of the lives of older girls and their boyfriends, but as she finds a job at the local hospital, and discovers a passion for drama and stories, Rocio begins to make her own choices in love and work.

Alive with the taste of tamales and the lyrical tang of the Esquibels’ talk, The Last of the Menu Girls becomes a rich celebration of Chicano culture, and a universal story of finding one’s way in the world.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The character of Rocio Esquibel, as a child, young woman, teacher, and aspiring writer, gives unity to this collection of seven related stories set in New Mexico. Chavez writes feelingly of things she obviously knows well, giving us a neighborhood full of memorable friends and relatives, compadres and comadres , handymen, hospital helpers, grandmothers, mothers, sisters. The title story concerns Rocio's funny and touching experiences in a summer job at a hospital. "Space Is a Solid," crackling with authenticity and longing, details the relationship of teacher and pupil. "Willow Game" describes the inexplicable sorrow of children; "Shooting Stars," the beauty of old women. These stories fairly shimmer with the warmth, tones, and language of the Southwest. A worthy addition to collections of Chicano women's fiction. Mary Soete, San Diego P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"These stories fairly shimmer with the warmth, tones, and language of the Southwest."--Library Journal

“A richness of texture and images [is] characteristic of Chavez’s writing. . . . These stories provide a clear glimpse into the world of New Mexico, of Hispanic customs and wisdoms, the grace that may, and did, come with a hard living.” –Santa Fe Reporter

“A valuable contribution to Chicana literature.” --Choice

“Chavez draws carefully detailed, emotionally convincing portraits of the lives of ordinary people” --Newsday
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 190 pages
  • Publisher: Arte Publico Pr; 4th printing edition (January 1986)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0934770468
  • ISBN-13: 978-0934770460
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,368,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars vivid Cultural Memories Yet Universal, December 23, 2004
Author DENISE CHAVEZ creates several things in THE LAST OF THE MENU GIRLS. She offers vivid childhood memories as the main character, Rocio grows from child to young woman. CHAVEZ gives us a strong sense of Hispanic culture, and she talks about the rites of passage from girlhood to womanhood universal to all of us. Rocio's discovery that Mama couldn't protect her from all harm, that evil lurked in the world, and that people could be manipulative and downright vicious over nothing resonaged particularly with me because of some of my own childhood experiences. I also chuckled at Rocio's interactions with neighbors and friends, and her experiences on her first job because, yes, I had similar ones. THE LAST OF THE MENU GIRLS set me recalling my neighborhood, the German-Czech Republic culture I knew, and my family stories. Good stories do that. This one's worth the read. And for those who are learning Spanish, there's an extra bonus, lots of bilingual writing. but CHAVEZ handles both languages in a way that lets the person who doesn't speak Spanish also enjoy HE LAST OF THE MENU GIRLS.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars powerful memories, July 13, 2000
This review is from: The Last of the Menu Girls (Paperback)
I read this book when it first came out and shortly after meeting Ms. Chavez, and have since re-read it at least a dozen times. Each time I find myself transported back to my childhood. The images Chavez creates evoke cultural memories that I am only now able to understand and appreciate. For anyone who wants to explore cultural identity, The Last of the Menu Girls is a perfect starting place.
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7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars At times, wonderful. Important book..., July 27, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Last of the Menu Girls (Paperback)
I wish I liked this book more. Some of the seven stories were wonderful and rambly. Others just left a lot to be desired. I did like the story with the drama students. All 7 stories follow different parts of Rocio Esquibel (the main character)'s life...told in a unique voice.
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