When I Was Puerto Rican (Paperback)

by Esmeralda Santiago (Author)
Key Phrases: casi señorita, piqué dress, Doña Lola, New York, Don Julio (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Santiago is a welcome new voice, full of passion and authority." -- Washington Post Book World

"Stylistically fluid and finely detailed...cinematically recalls her past and her island culture." Los Angeles Times) -- Review for ISBN 0306814528

Review

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 3/2/09
“[Santiagos] story is painful at points, funny in others, but it speaks a universal truth: We never totally leave our past behind.”

Teen Ink, 4/09
“It shows you the trials that immigrants face when they move to the United States, including the many differences in language and culture…Perfect for those who like books that have real meaning.”

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Da Capo Press (February 27, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 0306814528 ISBN-13: 978-0306814525 Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #4 in  Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Demography #5 in  Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino #10 in  Books > History > Americas > Central America

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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
casi señorita, piqué dress

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Doña Lola, New York, Don Julio, Puerto Rico, Doña Ana, San Juan, Doña Andrea, Don Berto, Tío Lalo, Doña Zena, Don Luis, Miss Jiménez, Puerto Rican, Doña Cony, Titi Generosa, Juanita Marín, Miss Brown, Performing Arts, Titi Avena, Ignacio Sepúlveda, Johannes Vélez, Don Joaquin, Marilyn Monroe, Papa Dios, Lord's Prayer

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When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago

Discusses:

• casi señorita
• piqué dress
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Cuando Era Puertorriqueña by Esmeralda Santiago

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• casi señorita
• Don Berto
• Don Luis

When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago Discusses: casi señorita piqué dress Don Julio Cuando Era Puertorriqueña by Esmeralda Santiago Discusses: casi señorita Don Berto Don Luis Loading...

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8 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars THE AMERICAN DREAM..., February 26, 2006 By  Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)       This is a rich and evocative memoir of the author's chaotic childhood. Growing up in rural Puerto Rico, while often living in primitive conditions, the author's lush and lyrical prose paints a vivid picture her early life. The flavor and rythms of her island home come alive under her expert hand, creating an unforgettable picture of her early childhood. The author grew up in a poor family. During her childhood, she lived in Puerto Rico with her unmarried parents, who were always at war with each other, as her father was a somewhat irresponsible philanderer. It was her mother who centered the family and who always sought a better life for all of her children. When an irrevocable break occurred between her parents, her mother moved to New York during the nineteen sixties, eventually settling with her seven children in the mean streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn in New York City. The author details her life's journey from rural Puerto Rico to Brooklyn. The author was transplanted to Brooklyn at the age of thirteen, and her description of her life in Brooklyn is every bit as interesting as that of her life in Puerto Rico. Her oftentimes bewildering transition from her native, Spanish speaking Puerto Rico to an English speaking environment is engagingly chronicled. The author takes the reader on her journey through Brooklyn's public school system to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, where she graduated and went on to attend Harvard University on a scholarship. This coming of age memoir is so engagingly written that I was left with the desire of wanting to know more about the life of this remarkable woman. I was also very taken with her writing style. So, I went ahead and bought every book that this author has ever written and look forward to reading each and every one. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, would highly recommend, January 21, 2009 By  Ted K "Ted" - See all my reviews The novel, When I Was Puerto Rican, by Esmeralda Santiago, is a true story based on the life of the author as a child, growing up as an immigrant in the United States from Puerto Rico. Her memoir deals with many issues and conflicts she has to overcome as a child and a young adult, but she is able to develop scenes in great detail, describe her encounters with self-discovery, and draw the reader into conflicts that are emotional and powerful. Scene in a memoir is very important because it is manipulated greatly by the viewpoint of the author. Throughout Negi, the main character's childhood, she lives with her large family in a multitude of houses in areas ranging from the dirtiest slums to upscale apartments in New York. Negi's first house in Macun was described in great depth, going right down the holes the insects burrowed under the wooden plank floors. In another instance, her family went to a relative's house to wade out an impending hurricane, and Negi goes to great lengths to describe the actions the people were performing, the foods the women were preparing, and the battering the house got during the storm. The scene is the basis for the novel, and Santiago's ability to create a strong scene lends itself to writing a great novel. Negi is forced to assimilate into a new society while still living under the confines of her old culture in her house. Her parents are 100% Puerto Rican, and they expect their children to follow the ways of a Puerto Rican child. However, Negi is a very intelligent girl who learns how to be more American and has to constantly cope with discarding old ideas that were once important to her, but are now seen as demeaning or not applicable in American society. For example, Negi grew up as a young child wanting to be a "Jibara," which basically meant a more rural individual who lives off the land and lives a simple life. However, once she started school, classmates made fun of her and called her a Jibara, and it suddenly became a derogatory term that Negi wanted nothing to do with. Also, she discovers rather quickly on her own the nature of sexuality and how men and women interact with each other. On one occasion, Negi and her cousin exchange glimpses of each other's private areas, and Negi is shocked and taken back by things that come with puberty. Negi discovers many aspects of her new life on her own, especially since she is living life in a culture quite different from her parents. Conflict is a big part of all memoirs, but Negi is exposed to conflicts of many sorts and sources. Negi has conflict within herself about Papi because she sees the caring and nurturing side of him, and also the lying, cheating, and irresponsible side of him. Negi has do deal with the conflict between her Puerto Rican background and her new American culture, and the differences in the beliefs and norms between the two. Her status as "casi senorita" is also a source of conflict because she is regarded as not completely adult, but not a child either. She sees no benefit of this because she has all the responsibility of an adult, but still all the rules of a child. I feel reading this memoir has made me a better memoir writer because I have seen how a good scene and detailed plot are formed. Santiago excels at creating scenes with great detail, and describing the emotions felt by the characters in the story. I feel this book should be offered again because it is a fairly easy book to follow and I felt like I got something out of reading this book. I would highly recommend this book, even if you aren't the reading type like I am. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Honest Memoir, November 14, 2008 By  Tara (Utah) - See all my reviews I enjoyed this memoir. It was honest. Esmeralda talks of her childhood, and unlike some memoirs does not portray herself to be anything but what she was. There were times she was a spoiled brat, times she embarassed herself, times she was scared. She lays it all out there. The memoir covers her childhood from I'm guessing 5 or so till age 14 or 15. I was not clear on what age she was when or what year it was at the time. That would be my only complaint. I felt as tho I was really getting to know her throughout the book, feeling her frustration at being the oldest of eleven children (must not have manufactured condoms yet), the difficulties of being poor, and her embarassment at going to the welfare office with her mother. Truly, not an easy childhood at all, especially being uprooted and moved every year or few months. Esmeralda definetly overcame all obstacles and became an amazing writer, injecting humor into truth.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Love at first sight for me! I became aware of this book through my mother who read it and loved it. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down. Read more Published 1 month ago by Nydia Appolonia 5.0 out of 5 stars Gift for my Puerto Rican mother.... I intend to read the book myself as well, but she couldn't get enough of it. She finished it in a couple of days! Read more Published 5 months ago by The S man 4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting As a Puerto Rican, it was interesting to learn about life in Puerto Rico before I was born. Published 7 months ago by M. Perez 4.0 out of 5 stars Honest Portrait of Growing Up In Puerto Rico This book begins the author's autobiographical series and speaks of her early childhood in Puerto Rico. Read more Published 8 months ago by Douglas P. Murphy 3.0 out of 5 stars Looked forward to this book but found myself bored Great Title but maybe because the books speaks of being "Puerto Rican" in a different time- probably around 2 generations before mine- that I couldn't relate nor found interest in... Read more Published 18 months ago by A. marrero Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (February 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306814528
• ISBN-13: 978-0306814525
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Demography
  #5 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino
  #10 in	Books > History > Americas > Central America

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE AMERICAN DREAM..., February 26, 2006

By	Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This is a rich and evocative memoir of the author's chaotic childhood. Growing up in rural Puerto Rico, while often living in primitive conditions, the author's lush and lyrical prose paints a vivid picture her early life. The flavor and rythms of her island home come alive under her expert hand, creating an unforgettable picture of her early childhood.

The author grew up in a poor family. During her childhood, she lived in Puerto Rico with her unmarried parents, who were always at war with each other, as her father was a somewhat irresponsible philanderer. It was her mother who centered the family and who always sought a better life for all of her children. When an irrevocable break occurred between her parents, her mother moved to New York during the nineteen sixties, eventually settling with her seven children in the mean streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn in New York City.

The author details her life's journey from rural Puerto Rico to Brooklyn. The author was transplanted to Brooklyn at the age of thirteen, and her description of her life in Brooklyn is every bit as interesting as that of her life in Puerto Rico. Her oftentimes bewildering transition from her native, Spanish speaking Puerto Rico to an English speaking environment is engagingly chronicled. The author takes the reader on her journey through Brooklyn's public school system to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, where she graduated and went on to attend Harvard University on a scholarship.

This coming of age memoir is so engagingly written that I was left with the desire of wanting to know more about the life of this remarkable woman. I was also very taken with her writing style. So, I went ahead and bought every book that this author has ever written and look forward to reading each and every one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, would highly recommend, January 21, 2009

By	Ted K "Ted" - See all my reviews

The novel, When I Was Puerto Rican, by Esmeralda Santiago, is a true story based on the life of the author as a child, growing up as an immigrant in the United States from Puerto Rico. Her memoir deals with many issues and conflicts she has to overcome as a child and a young adult, but she is able to develop scenes in great detail, describe her encounters with self-discovery, and draw the reader into conflicts that are emotional and powerful.
Scene in a memoir is very important because it is manipulated greatly by the viewpoint of the author. Throughout Negi, the main character's childhood, she lives with her large family in a multitude of houses in areas ranging from the dirtiest slums to upscale apartments in New York. Negi's first house in Macun was described in great depth, going right down the holes the insects burrowed under the wooden plank floors. In another instance, her family went to a relative's house to wade out an impending hurricane, and Negi goes to great lengths to describe the actions the people were performing, the foods the women were preparing, and the battering the house got during the storm. The scene is the basis for the novel, and Santiago's ability to create a strong scene lends itself to writing a great novel.
Negi is forced to assimilate into a new society while still living under the confines of her old culture in her house. Her parents are 100% Puerto Rican, and they expect their children to follow the ways of a Puerto Rican child. However, Negi is a very intelligent girl who learns how to be more American and has to constantly cope with discarding old ideas that were once important to her, but are now seen as demeaning or not applicable in American society. For example, Negi grew up as a young child wanting to be a "Jibara," which basically meant a more rural individual who lives off the land and lives a simple life. However, once she started school, classmates made fun of her and called her a Jibara, and it suddenly became a derogatory term that Negi wanted nothing to do with. Also, she discovers rather quickly on her own the nature of sexuality and how men and women interact with each other. On one occasion, Negi and her cousin exchange glimpses of each other's private areas, and Negi is shocked and taken back by things that come with puberty. Negi discovers many aspects of her new life on her own, especially since she is living life in a culture quite different from her parents.
Conflict is a big part of all memoirs, but Negi is exposed to conflicts of many sorts and sources. Negi has conflict within herself about Papi because she sees the caring and nurturing side of him, and also the lying, cheating, and irresponsible side of him. Negi has do deal with the conflict between her Puerto Rican background and her new American culture, and the differences in the beliefs and norms between the two. Her status as "casi senorita" is also a source of conflict because she is regarded as not completely adult, but not a child either. She sees no benefit of this because she has all the responsibility of an adult, but still all the rules of a child.
I feel reading this memoir has made me a better memoir writer because
I have seen how a good scene and detailed plot are formed. Santiago excels at creating scenes with great detail, and describing the emotions felt by the characters in the story. I feel this book should be offered again because it is a fairly easy book to follow and I felt like I got something out of reading this book. I would highly recommend this book, even if you aren't the reading type like I am.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Honest Memoir, November 14, 2008

By	Tara (Utah) - See all my reviews

I enjoyed this memoir. It was honest. Esmeralda talks of her childhood, and unlike some memoirs does not portray herself to be anything but what she was. There were times she was a spoiled brat, times she embarassed herself, times she was scared. She lays it all out there. The memoir covers her childhood from I'm guessing 5 or so till age 14 or 15. I was not clear on what age she was when or what year it was at the time. That would be my only complaint. I felt as tho I was really getting to know her throughout the book, feeling her frustration at being the oldest of eleven children (must not have manufactured condoms yet), the difficulties of being poor, and her embarassment at going to the welfare office with her mother. Truly, not an easy childhood at all, especially being uprooted and moved every year or few months. Esmeralda definetly overcame all obstacles and became an amazing writer, injecting humor into truth.