Chicano: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author), Ruben Martinez (Foreword) "The locomotive roared out of the narrow stone canyon and for a few moments quickly gathered speed as the tracks dropped sharply to meet the..." (more)
Key Phrases: East Los Angeles, Miss Clark, Bill Nueman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A bestseller when it was published in 1970 at the height of the Mexican-American civil rights movement, Chicano unfolds the fates and fortunes of the Sandoval family, who flee the chaos and poverty of the Mexican Revolution and begin life anew in the United States.

Patriarch Hector Sandoval works the fields and struggles to provide for his family even as he faces discrimination and injustice. Of his children, only Pete Sandoval is able to create a brighter existence, at least for a time. But when Pete's daughter Mariana falls in love with David, an Anglo student, it sets in motion a clash of cultures. David refuses to marry Mariana, fearing the reaction of his family and friends. Mariana, pregnant with David's child, is trapped between two worlds and shunned by both because of the man she loves. The complications of their relationship speak volumes -- even today -- about the shifting sands of racial politics in America.

In his foreword, award-winning author Rubén Martínez reflects on the historical significance of Chicano's initial publication and explores how cultural perceptions have changed since the story of the Sandoval family first appeared in print.

About the Author

Born in 1928, Richard Vasquez worked for several newspapers, including the Santa Monica Independent, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. In addition to Chicano, he published two other novels, The Giant Killer and Another Land. He died in 1990.

Nacido en 1928, Richard Vasquez trabajÓ para varios periÓdicos, incluyendo el Santa MÓnica Independent, el San Gabriel Valley Tribune y el Los Angeles Times. AdemÁs de Chicano, publicÓ dos otros libros: The Giant Killer y Another Land. MuriÓ en 1990.

Product Details

• Paperback: 437 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060821043
• ISBN-13: 978-0060821043
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #174,947 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Chicano, June 25, 2003

By	paul (Spring Valley, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicano. (Hardcover)

This author and this book were truly amazing. One of the best books I've read. Being a Chicano myself and having grown up out west it was easy to visuallize the scenery and the characters due to the incredible descriptions of the author. He is truly a gifted writer. I am hooked on his style of writing and cannot wait till I can get my hands on his other two books and to learn all I can about this genious. Enjoy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chicano, October 2, 2000

By	"cragg1747" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicano. (Hardcover)

I read it 20 years ago when I was a VISTA volunteer working with migrant farmworkers (i.e. chicanos). The story of 3 generations of a family in California 1910-1970. You'll think about the ending for a long long time. I have for 20 years. Why hasn't this been made into a film?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, January 28, 2001

By	david f gonzales (South San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicano (Paperback)

I read this book in high school and twice since then. I've always thought it would eventually be put into a movie. The telling of a story that so closely parallels the reality of my own experience makes for great reading. The author puts you into old Mexico and brings you to the U.S. and makes you feel every bit a part of our history through his vision.