Latina [Paperback]

Lillian Castillo-speed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0684802406 | ISBN-13: 978-0684802404 | Edition: Original

A collection of works by well-known and emerging Latina writers includes short stories, excerpts from novels, and nonfiction pieces from a range of contributors--Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, Denise Chavez, Ana Castillo, Cristina Garcia, and Sandra Beni+a7tez.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sampling works from over 30 contemporary female Latin writers, this is a worthwhile and fashionable digest. The stories, recollections, letters and essays range widely in topic, tone, style and quality. Unfortunately, most of the strongest pieces are buried deep in the book. Among them, the story "Personality Fabulosa" by Monica Palacios captures with deceptive levity a heavy crush at the moment it develops into mutual courtship. Also terrific, Lucha Corpi's essay, "Epiphany: The Third Gift" depicts a tomboy distressing her traditional parents, who find solace in her bookishness: "'When you educate a man,' my father would often tell my younger sister and me, 'you educate an individual. But when you educate a woman, you educate the whole family.'" Mary Helen Ponce's "Just Dessert" deftly portrays a disastrous dinner date, as the woman futilely tries to concentrate on the man's gorgeous lips and ignore the bigotry coming out of them. The stories of Cristina Garcia, Aurora Levins Morales, Kathleen Ann Gonzalez and Judith Ortiz Cofer also work brilliantly. Less successfully, other writers rely too much on their ethnicity for interest rather than intrinsic merit. For example, Esmeralda Santiago's excerpt comes across as politically correct and facile: "Americanos talk funny when they speak Spanish." By and large, however, the several gems in this collection outweigh the weak parts.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (August 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684802406
• ISBN-13: 978-0684802404
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #966,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration for latina(o) writers., April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Latina (Paperback)

The stories in this book not only reflect our colorful heritage but also our personalities. The stories are beautifully written just as our abuelitas(grandmothers), mothers and aunts would have told them if they were still around. A true reflection of how history is passed on from generation to generation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thank you, Lillian Castillo-Speed and all of the contributing writers!, October 3, 2005

By 

D. Pawl "Dani" (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Latina (Paperback)

This is a beautiful collection of short stories from some of the most well-known and well-respected Latina writers, writing today, as well as some authors who are just emerging today.

Some of these writers include Julia Alvarez ("Snow"), Sandra Cisneros ("Only Daughter"), and Ana Castillo ("My Mother's Mexico").

This is a wonderful introduction to the jewel trove of talent present in the Latina community exclusively. We hear about universal plights, ups and downs, comedies and tragedies that are truly universal. Also, we hear the stories of the daughters of immigrants to this country, as well the experiences of women whose families have in the United States for many generations (those who were cultivating the earth, ten generations back, before the United States was even the nation that is today). I highly reccomend that you read this collection of stories, for your education, as well as for your awareness. It is inclusive toward all readers. I include myself with this great group of women, being a bicultural person, growing up as an "American," yet feeling a connection to both parts. Beautiful......

5.0 out of 5 stars Bilingual identity poetry in its best way, June 16, 2011

By 

Bianca Penny "B Penny" (Va Beach) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Latina (Paperback)

For all of you Latinas! Read this book, discover the voice that many of us don't express openly because of the dilemma that comes by living in between two cultures; the one you live in and the one you are born with.