Customer Reviews

The Tame Cactus

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the last Zendejas book I will read. I will save my money. I really hoped this would be better than "Infallibility". At the least it is not as fatalistic. The author seems to have worked out some of her personal problems. The characters are shallow and again I am left with the question, "so what". I will admit this is a better book, but far from being publishable. I can only assume it is self published and the numerous reviews of 5 stars are from family, friends, and/or the author. Buyer beware.

Yet again, I find Zendejas' characters to be trite, shallow reflections of better developed characters in similar works. I think that the lack of originality is my real disappointment with this initially promising author's work. We've heard the story before, with more credible characters and more substantive plots.

In her latest book, she writes about her family and her own experiences as an immigrant. Perhaps those personal stories will have more resonance, but, here again, she is following in the footsteps of many --very talented --authors who have written superbly on immigrant experience and diaspora. I doubt that Zendejas can distinguish herself in this well covered genre.

I heard this author speak recently, and I liked her speaking style so much I read the book. She was really entertaining, funny, and provocative. After reading this book, I was terribly disappointed in "The Tame Cactus" because it was such two- dimensional writing. Not at all like what I'd expected. I know that the author recently put out a new book of true stories about her family and childhood. I would give that one a chance,because you could tell from the author that she really was passionate about her family, but I would not recommend "Tame Cactus". The characters are flat, undeveloped, unbelievable and uninteresting. The events jump too quickly and not enough information is given to evoke an emotional involvement in the reader. I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't.

You will gasp, laugh and cry as you read the pages of "The Tame Cactus."

In the end you take with you a renewed belief in destiny and the faith that one day you too will find your way home.

Akin to a KIVA --wonderfully spiritual yet grounded.

This is a great story! It beautifully describes the small Mexican village and way of life there. It made me experience many things all over again. I felt totally involved in the story. The way things worked out for the characters was just fabulous. From beginning to end, it had me wanting to read more and more. The events had me shedding tears nonstop. It's the type of story that you just can't put down. A true romantic and sentimental story!

There are so many reasons why one should read this book, for both entertainment and education. This is the best representation of the wonderful Mexican culture and tradition that I have encountered. Due to a marriage uniting my US family with a Mexican family, I have embarked on a journey exploring ways of life for our neighbors in Mexico. Everything I have learned came alive to me in the story of the lives of these wonderful people. It is gratifying to learn that family values are as steeped in tradition in Mexico as they are in the US. The respect for family, friendships and lovers is brought to life in The Tame Cactus in a way that is very believable and entertaining. You feel as though you are a part of their celebrations and hardships. The courtship of Hector and Millie is awesome. When their passion nears abandon you are inclined to cheer them on, rather than to scorn. Every woman should have a Hector in her life!

A very compelling story on the life in this village town in Mexico. I myself have experienced some of these very same descriptive Mexican and American lifestyles. It has raised many questions I have of my childhood memories. Thank you for the insight and for reliving the memories of what I remember growing up in the village of La Yerbabuena, Michoacan and its'rich culture. I enjoyed the story very much. There was this beauty, that the author never sentimentalizes or forces it at you. She just says it and you live or relive those moments as you read the book.

It is very easy reading for most ages. I brought this book with me on a recent trip and could hardly put it down. The story is so wonderfully written. The love story is so tender and the characters are so innocent. The detail the author put into the story was fabulous. It brought the story to life and enabled me to feel as if I was right there and could see everything. I have recommended this book to alot of my friends. I can't wait for the authors next book!!!

The Tame Cactus is an emotionally uplifting story that reaffirms our faith in God and how it crosses cultural boundaries.

Highly recommend this story. It is as real as fiction can get. I would like to express my appreciation to the author for taking the time to capture and share with us some of her undoubtedly most cherished memories transformed to fiction in an elaborate fusion of scenes, places, and characters that identify us.

The experiences so vividly described in the novel are forever captured, never to be lost. This is the best way to tell our children and future generations how it was. This novel will help us maintain that link with our past during a present that threatens to purge our memories with overexposure to a synthetic world being ruled by the computer clock and the computer screen.

Thank you,

--Silvino