Sapogonia [Paperback]

Ana Castillo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

In Sapogonia, edited and revised for its Anchor publication, Ana Castillo confronts the complex issues of race and identity facing those of mixed heritage through the struggles of Máximo Madrigal, an expatriate of Sapogonia, the metaphorical homeleand of all mestizos. Subtly political, it demonstrates how warring blood within a single body resists any peaceful resolution.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A complex, engaging novel...Sapogonia will establish Castillo as one of our finest Chicana novelists." --Rudolfo Anaya

"A writer with enormous integrity, [Castillo is blessed with common sense and lyric sense, the very rarest of gifts." --Clarissa Pinkola Est

From the Publisher

In her second novel, Castillo (the author of The Mixquiahuala Letters ) examines the obsessive struggle between a man and a woman, two natives of the metaphorical country of Sapogonia. In their battle for control over each other, the author subtly defines the struggle of all mestizos--the conflict of a mixed heritage of Conquistador and Conquered--which can never be resolved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; First Edition edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385470800
• ISBN-13: 978-0385470803
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #711,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical novel at its best, July 8, 2004

By 

jmz "jzarate12" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sapogonia (Paperback)

Sapogonia by Ana Castillo is a fantastical and romantic novel. It may take some readers a bit of time to get used to the style of the novel, but once you do, you will be taken on various trips between the lives of Pastora and Maximo Madrigal. The characters share their lives both together and separately to create a well-rounded story. There's also a bit of magical realism that hints of what's to come from Castillo as an author. While I wouldn't say this is one of her best works, I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in finding something new to read; especially if it was works from a Latina author.

This book would also make for a great edition to a literature class. I think the benefits of a knowledgeable teacher would really flesh out the themes of this novel.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sapogonia (Paperback)

A multi-viewpoint view on the areas of assimilation, violence, and gender relations. Castillo masterfully wavers from the masculine narrator Max (whom she writes from both the first and third person, sometimes switching in the middle of the narration) and Pastora, the woman with whom he is infatuated and cannot obtain. She also mixes fantasy, memory, and dreams to create a work that will stay with the reader long after the final page is read.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning and enthralling..exquisite writing...Bravo!, March 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sapogonia (Paperback)

I read this exquisite achievement from Ana Castillo a while back ago, and it still permeates every pore in my body. This book illustrates the seduction between a beautiful pagan demi-goddess that is envisioned as Coatlique. A witch she is called by her desperate lover, Maximo through the soft lament of his guitar. This novel is an orgasmic documentation of an obsessive attraction of flesh and mind. Of Hero worship and loss.Ana Castillo creates Pastora as a strong sexual brilliant woman, who has enraptured Maximo. But Maximo can never have her.