The Mixquiahuala Letters (Paperback)

by Ana Castillo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A wonderful, wonderful book." --Maxine Hong Kingston

"Like a disciplined athlete, Castillo makes even the most difficult moves look easy." --San Francisco Chronicle -- Review

The table of contents gives three options as to the order in which the forty letters in this epistolary novel may be read: one for the conformist, one for the cynic, and one for the quixotic. With each option a different and powerful story emerges; a book group could have a fascinating discussion about this book if each person chooses her own option. The letters are written by an Indian/Mexican woman from Chicago to her Anglo friend. The two meet in Mexico when they are twenty years old and over the next ten years correspond, visit, and travel together. Through these letters, the stories of their lives emerge: with and without jobs, with and without husbands or boyfriends. These are stories of opposites: one is an artist who is always sketching and can't stand alcohol or cigarettes, the other a poet who likes to smoke and drink with the company at hand. One is distant and stand-offish, her world coming alive when she dances, the other a believer in spirits and intangible forces. Each letter can be a story in itself; each letter delivers to the reader the power of a woman's words of relationship and life: "We needled, stabbed, manipulated, cut, and through it all we loved, driven to see the other improved in her own reflection." -- For great reviews of books for girls, check out Let's Hear It for the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. -- From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Holly Smith

Review
"A wonderful, wonderful book." --Maxine Hong Kingston

"Like a disciplined athlete, Castillo makes even the most difficult moves look easy." --San Francisco Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (March 18, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385420137
• ISBN-13: 978-0385420136
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #234,410 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone can relate, March 13, 2003

By A Customer

Have you ever felt disenfranchised either because you are a person of color, a woman, an outsider? Like you did not fit in but forced you way in anyway? Like the way you choose was a bit dangerous but still you loved it? Castillo captures those feelings and the ones we have when we share those wonderful crazy moments with someone of the same sex. Camaraderie and sisterhood is a theme that is woven into every word she writes. I recommend this book for entertainment and if it is required for a class then just consider yourself lucky.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best of Ana Castillo, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mixquiahuala Letters (Hardcover)

I've read this book about 4 times in the course of 4 years. Every time, I'm even more facinated with it. A combination of emotions and vision all packed up in her letters. AC is the true definition of a literary artist!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Castillo's Best Work, March 22, 1997

By A Customer

This is by far the best work that Ana Castillo has published. The letters are moving and passionate. A must for any Chicanas or feminists