Customer Reviews

The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico: A Novel

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking for an enjoyable coming-of-age story that transports you to 1960's Puerto Rico I highly recommend this debut novel by Sarah McCoy.

Conflicts abound for 11-year old Verdita as her safety net of childhood starts to unravel and she begins the transition to adulthood. Not only is Verdita struggling with the physical changes to her body, but she is also struggling with her alternating child and adult viewpoints of the conflicts that surround her - politics, parents, traditions. family and more.

Though serious issues are dealt with throughout the book, the tale is woven with such care that it was a light-hearted romp, preventing this reader from feeling weighed down. Instead, I was anxious to turn the page to see what would happen next and how Verdita would view and react to whatever unfolded.

The author's love and knowledge of her family's home country is clearly evident as vivid pictures of the beliefs, traditions and life of Puerto Rico fill every page. This knowledge also helped create a character that even the author has called "saucy". And like good sauces, Verdita oozes everywhere, even into nooks and crannies where she shouldn't be. She's at times sweet and creamy and at other times spicy, but Verdita is always interesting, which makes this book a fun read!

Pick it up, turn to page 1 and let the fun begin!

In "The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico," the young Verdita details her "coming of age" in Puerto Rico. She deals with her burgeoning awareness of sexuality, her ambivalence about her parents, and her desire to look and be American.

This book was presented as following in the tradition of "The House on Mango Street" and "Annie John." Although McCoy attempts to capture the bildungsroman and lyrical nature of more famous "island" literature, her slim book just doesn't capture the spirit or life of her predecessors.

Verdita goes through the surprises and shock of sexual growth in a way that feels done and trite. Her irrational anger at her mother and attachment to her father during this time felt confusing rather than indicative of puberty. The parents are confusing figures, and it's uncertain what their motivations or feelings really are.

Verdita's beginning awareness of her sexuality and her desire to be "Americanized" are only half-explored, and the hopefulness with which the novels ends didn't feel in sync with the rest of the novel.

"The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico" is a quick read, but it offers nothing new.

I do not normally go for books about adolescent or pre teen characters, but the Puerto Rican setting and promise of the island's history compelled me to read this. I am glad I did. I enjoyed it even tho the main character, Verdita is only eleven and twelve throughout the novel. Verdita is a growing girl residing in the Puerto Rican countryside in 1970s. Thru her eyes, readers get an engrossing look at Puerto Rican/United States relations, cockfighting, family customs, and food. While getting a bit of an education, readers also experience Verdita's growing pains. She is discovering and having mixed emotions about the opposite sex and is curious about what goes on between men and women. She is going thru an I HATE MY MOTHER phase and towards the end of the novel, feels guilt for wishing her mother and her unborn baby brother/sister dead because it looks like that just might happen. Verdita is also feeling shame for her island heritage and brown skin as everywhere she looks billboards are advertising pale faced, blonde women as the idea of beauty. Will Verdita ever be happy with who and what she is?

A plesant, one day read. Bears a similiarity to Esmeralda Santiago's "When I Was Puerto Rican."

Setting is an important part of this coming-of-age novel, and McCoy does an amazing job of taking the reader there. We join sweet 11-year-old Verdita Ortiz-Santiago on the island of Puerto Rico, 1961. It's a time when the island is debating whether it should stay connected to the United States or become an independent country, and when Verdita struggles with whether to stay connected with her family and traditions or become an independent young woman. With authentic, stunning detail, McCoy allows us to see the world through Verdita's eyes, and experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, customs and traditions of the island through Verdita's experiences.

This is a very well written book about a young girl growing up in Puerto Rico who is going through a period of intellectual and personal growth as she learns more about herself and the world around her. It is a relatively quick read and easy read that would be perfect for a classroom setting as a book used to focus on self-realization and the cultural influence of Puerto Rico. I am looking forward to the sequel.

The Time It Snowed In Puerto Rico is a great book that takes me back to the island from where my family is from. I would recommend this book to girls around there teens because you can make a connection with Verdita, the main character of the book. This story is entertaining, cultural, and just fun. I giv this book five stars. I was glued to this book and i'm sure you will be too.

If you loved reading A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith when you were young, then you will love reading THE TIME IT SNOWED IN PUERTO RICO! I remember reading A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN and feeling the pains of being a family with Francie. As I read THE TIME IT SNOWED IN PUERTO RICO I had flashbacks of my own growing up and the timeless feeling of being part of a family with Verdita. I became engrossed with her character as I once did with Francie. I wondered for days what Verdita could be doing in Washington, D.C.? Where could she be living? Did she get a job? How did she overcome her feeling of wanting to be "Americanized?" I still wonder... I do hope that the author is considering a sequel!
With Puerto Rico still trying to find her place in America's family, this book becomes relevant to its readers. I do hope that students of history, sociology and cultural studies will delve into the underlining thoughts of Puerto Ricans as they read McCoy's book. Not only does this bring to mind the Puerto Rican politics of the day but also the smells and colors of every day living! It is wonderful to know that our country is still being blessed by great authors!

Loved this novel! The feisty main character, Verdita, pulled me right in. Her trials and experiences were so relatable. We've all been there, when you realize your parents are human, your peers have a huge influence on your likes/dislikes, and you are just bursting to be any age older than the one you are. Verdita's story is one that made me reflect on everything in my life and past that makes me who I really am. This novel shows that no matter the time period in history or the culture we grow up in, there is a journey of self-discovery that we all take in our lives. I've already recommended this one to all my friends!

Sarah McCoy delighted me with this book. The setting of Puerto Rico was artfully described - I felt like I was there! Her character of Verdita was interesting, entertaining, and youthful. I enjoyed the escape into her world for this one-day read.

The Time it Snowed in Puerto Rico is a lyrical, coming-of-age story that is written with gorgeous prose and so beautifully captures a specific time and place. I was completely absorbed by the author's descriptions of each detail of her character's lives. When I learned that this is the author's first novel, I was amazed! The pacing and flow of the story along with the author's ability to create such real and authentic characters is something I expect from a seasoned writer. It is a rare thing to read such an authentic voice. The themes and experiences written about in this novel are so universal, the loss of innocence, growing up in a tumultous time, etc., that I can see this book appealing to a very wide audience. It would make a fantastic book club selection. Verdita, the main character, experiences so many poignant moments throughout the novel that are beautifully and subtly captured by Sarah McCoy's effortless writing. I can't wait to follow this talented author's career.