Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings - An Anthology (Paperback)

~ Roberto Santiago (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While it could have been more strictly organized (i.e., vaguely thematic chapters include "History and Politics" and "Anxiety and Assimilation," currents present in almost every piece), this excellent anthology of essays, fiction, poetry, screenplays and other works by writers of Puerto Rican heritage shimmers with interesting reading. In a buoyant introduction, Santiago describes his own, youthful discovery of Puerto Rican writers?"the first book I read by a Puerto Rican author was the one the Jesuits at Xavier had denounced as pornographic and prejudiced against whites. I knew it had to be good"?and explains why their writing continues to feel "subversive." Jesus Colon fluidly combines a thumbnail history of the island's oppression with an explanation of why it takes a lot of effort before a Puerto Rican will "ask you to have a cup of black coffee with him in his own kitchen." In "Palante! Young Lords," Pablo Guzman recounts the founding of the Young Lords Party, based on the Black Panthers. With academic clarity, Clara E. Rodriguez examines racial background in "Puerto Ricans: Between Black and White," a theme Julia de Burgos treats more succinctly and emotionally in poetry. Women are well represented here, although they tend to write about being women specifically. In general, the variety is impressive: Ana Lydia Vega, Martin Espada, Geraldo Rivera, a transcript of a Freddie Prinze monologue and a serious essay by the comedian's mother. Santiago has gracefully managed to pull together a collection that presents a united front while perserving the diversity of the individual voices.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Boricua is a Puerto Rican term of endearment for other Puerto Ricans, and this anthology represents the sentiment well. Edited by a writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, it gathers 50 selections of 19th- and 20th-century literature of all sorts: poetry, fiction, essays, screenplays, speeches, and more. Some of the works were originally written in Spanish and some in English, but they are all representative of Puerto Rican life, history, politics, and culture both in Puerto Rico and in the United States. While authors like Piri Thomas and Judith Ortiz Cofer will be familiar, others, such as Jose de Diego and Pedor Albiza Campes, will be new to most non-Puerto Rican readers. Certain selections highlight media figures, including Freddie Prinze, Jose Torres, and Geraldo Rivera. Appropriate for comprehensive Latino collections in public libraries.
Mary Margaret Benson, Linfield Coll. Lib., McMinville, Ore.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine; 1st edition (September 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345395026
• ISBN-13: 978-0345395023
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #318,125 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An essential contribution to Puerto Rican studies, November 3, 2000

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Boricuas" is a tremendous gift both to the Puerto Rican community and to those who want to learn more about Puerto Rican culture. Editor Roberto Santiago has assembled a collection of writings which illuminate the joys, sorrows, and complexities of the Puerto Rican experience.

This anthology has many strengths. It contains a full range of genres--poetry, speeches, short fiction, essays, drama, and more. There is even a transcription of one of Freddie Prinze's classic comedy routines. There is also a good mix of male and female authors: Julia de Burgos, Piri Thomas, Aurora Levins Morales, Jesus Colon, and many, many more.

The book does have some flaws. The author biographies at the end of the book are far too short and insubstantial--many of them are only 2 or 3 lines long. More bibliographic data on each author would have made the book a more powerful resource for teachers and students. And the book could have used a firmer editorial hand in parts. The excerpt from Miguel Pinero's play "Short Eyes," for example, contains no editorial indication that this is in fact an excerpt; readers might be misled to believe that this is a short one-act play in its entirety.

Another drawback to the anthology is the relative lack of writers from the 19th century and earlier. With the exception of Jose de Diego, these pioneers of Puerto Rican literature are entirely absent. If you want to read the important poetry and prose of Manuel A. Alonso, Jose Gautier Benitez, Pachin Marin, and others, you will have to look elsewhere.

These criticisms aside, "Boricuas" is an excellent collection. The stories, poems, and other selections are full of all the richness of the Puerto Rican experience. Some of the best selections include Migene Gonzalez-Wippler's autobiographical piece about her experience of the Santeria religion, Abraham Rodriguez' multilayered short story "The Boy Without a Flag," and editor Santiago's excellent introductory essay.

This wonderful book makes an excellent class text for high school or college courses; in fact, I used it when I taught the "Literature of the Americas" course offered by the University of Pittsburgh. But this is also a book for outside the classroom; it is a collection to be read, enjoyed, and shared with loved ones. "Boricuas" is a triumph for both Roberto Santiago and for the many authors whose voices are celebrated between the book's covers.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT READ!! I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!, September 4, 1997

By	Dalia Soto (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

I know pretty much about my own culture, Puerto Rico. But, this book was a page turner and I learned even more than what I already know. I learned the history of many of my favorite celebraties and Puerto Rican "freedom fighters." I admire many Puerto Rican actors--like Freddie Prinze, our very own "Looking Good!" character from Chico and the Man. Geraldo Rivera's courageous journey to uncover the disatrous truth of Willowbrook's mental health home for retarded children located in Staten Island. There are so many different stories, plays, speeches from Pedro Albizu Campos, Roberto Santiago, Jose De Diego, Piri Thomas, etc. I can go on and on. You have to get this book for yourself and for your children. Our offsprings are the only people who will carry our culture forward to many generations ahead. This book must be a part of their lives growing up so that they know what our forefathers and mothers have been through and what is happening in today's society in Puerto Rican's lives. This book should be a part of every Puerto Rican's library and other Hispanics alike. The beauty about this book is that it makes us realize that there are more authors and writers to read about and their books that have gone undiscovered. This weekend I will run to the library and start looking for books written by Puerto Rican and Hispanic authors. It is a refreshing feeling. I rate this book a 10 without reservations. My very best to Roberto Santiago. May God bless you

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important historical compilation, January 3, 2000

By	Michael E. Rosado (Cambridge, Ma) - See all my reviews

This book should serve as the basis of self discovery for all persons of Puerto Rican descent. I was moved to tears by themes from my own life reverberating out of words written by authors that I had heard of, but never read. Santiago has almost every possible perspective in this book, from the plight of women to the confusion of black-skinned Puerto Ricans. The organization of the book is exemplary and helps in organizing the powerful emotions I encountered when reading works by Jose De Diego, Pedro Albizu Campos, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Esmeralda Santiago, Piri Thomas, Martin Espada, etc.