My Daughter's Eyes and Other Stories [Paperback]

Annecy Báez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

My Daughter's Eyes and Other Stories, winner of the 2007 Mármol Prize, is a collection of fourteen interrelated stories about young Dominican women living in the Bronx as they deal with the choices they make in their everyday life. These stories span three decades, beginning in the 1970s, and their topics range from mother-daughter struggles, father-daughter betrayal, family, and child abuse, to emerging sexuality, love, loss, and healing.

Annecy Baez's daring treatment of taboo themes, such as sexual child abuse and the struggle of the individual against restrictive traditional values, makes this book unique in Dominican fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Báez delves into three decades worth of a community of Bronx Dominican women in these linked stories. Though many characters flow in and out of the stories, a few turn up frequently, including Mia and Zuleika, teenage friends who take their adolescent and postadolescent lumps together. In The Red Shoes, Zuki lusts after a pair of red heels that her mother thinks are whorish; as in almost every other story, a sexual undertone seethes, if awkwardly, throughout. To Tell the Truth is a more dramatic portrayal of sexual tension: Mia is caught skipping school and carousing with boys, bringing forth her father's wrath. In Como Se Dice Success in Spanish? Zuki and Mia read tarot cards and reflect on some of their lovers and their life decisions. Spanglish dialogue peppers the narrative, and though the prose is utilitarian, Báez's sympathetic portrayal of a niche group has flashes of insight. (Nov.)
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Review

There is a depth here that is undeniably moving...A beautiful and tender book." -- Benjamin A. Sáenz

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Curbstone Books; First edition (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931896380
• ISBN-13: 978-1931896382
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #903,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing Glimpse into the Lives of Dominican Women in the U.S., August 8, 2007

By 

April E. Mahoney (Vernon, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Daughter's Eyes and Other Stories (Paperback)

Annecy Báez, recipient of the 2007 Miguel Mármol Prize, introduces us to a diverse array of intriguing characters in her debut work of prose. Masterfully woven, the short stories included in MY DAUGHTER'S EYES AND OTHER STORIES (Curbstone Press, ISBN: 978-1-931896-38-2, $15.00) trace the trials and triumphs of young women as they struggle to assimilate to American culture while staying constantly aware of their strict Dominican roots.

Set in the Bronx, the Dominican Republic, and New York State, MY DAUGHTER'S EYES brings us full circle as we watch these young female relatives and friends become adolescents, women, and eventually mothers. Báez's characters are caught in cultural limbo, striving to experience the independence American women sought in the 1970s while pressured to be virtuous Catholic Dominican girls.

The urban environment challenges these young women, in time building their strength and resilience. Báez works teenage pregnancy, child abuse, developing sexuality, and identity issues flawlessly into her narrative, bridging the fourteen stories into one carefully crafted novel-esque piece.

Conflict between the main protagonist, Mia, and her father sends her into a deeply introverted state. Pensively exploring the role of women in society, Mia turns to a spiritual advisor for guidance and finds healing through meditation.

While failed relationships and dishonesty plague the women around her, Mia remains courageous and secure in the identity she has built, removing herself from unpleasant circumstances. Mia, along with the other female protagonists, are ultimately able to create a balance between the culture of their elders and that of American society, utilizing their personal experiences to create valuable parental insight. Ultimately, the individual will conquers societal bounds in this wonderfully written, highly worthwhile read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories, December 25, 2011

By 

Thebeck - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Daughter's Eyes and Other Stories (Paperback)

This book brought up alot of memories, both good & bad. It's amazing how alike our cultures (moms) are. I loved this book & plan to have my grandaughters read it.