Almost a Woman by Esmeralda Santiago
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Book Reviews of Almost a Woman
Book Review: A quest for independance
Summary: 4 Stars
Almost a Woman portrays the life of author Esmeralda Santiago as a 13-year-old girl who has just moved to the United States from Puerto Rico. She arrives with Mami and 3 siblings while her father stays in her homeland. Thrown into a new culture, "Negi," as called by family, must face the challenges of finding herself while under the watchful eye of her strict mother as well as the scrutiny of New York. Negi is the eldest in a family that eventually includes 11 children; she becomes the one to interpret to welfare agents for the family's needs while trying to protect the family's dignity. She is accepted into the Performing Arts High School in Manhattan under the drama program and goes on to participate in several plays, including one on broadway. As she continues to search for roles, she takes classes at a local college where she meets Shoshana. They become best friends and share their lives with each other. Shoshana plays an important role in Negi's search for identity as well as belonging. The reader is present at Negi's first date and her quest to find true love through many out of the ordinary encounters and heartbreak. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who would enjoy the chronicles of a young girl who is placed in an infamiliar place while searching for who she is. It is easy reading and enjoyable to watch how Negi approaches situations and love.Book Review: A quest for independance
Summary: 4 Stars
Almost a Woman portrays the life of author Esmeralda Santiago as a 13-year-old girl who has just moved to the United States from Puerto Rico. She arrives with Mami and 3 siblings while her father stays in her homeland. Thrown into a new culture, "Negi," as called by family, must face the challenges of finding herself while under the watchful eye of her strict mother as well as the scrutiny of New York. Negi is the eldest in a family that eventually includes 11 children; she becomes the one to interpret to welfare agents for the family's needs while trying to protect the family's dignity. She is accepted into the Performing Arts High School in Manhattan under the drama program and goes on to participate in several plays, including one on broadway. As she continues to search for roles, she takes classes at a local college where she meets Shoshana. They become best friends and share their lives with each other. Shoshana plays an important role in Negi's search for identity as well as belonging. The reader is present at Negi's first date and her quest to find true love through many out of the ordinary encounters and heartbreak. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who would enjoy the chronicles of a young girl who is placed in an infamiliar place while searching for who she is. It is easy reading and enjoyable to watch how Negi approaches situations and love.Book Review: A quest for independance
Summary: 4 Stars
Almost a Woman portrays the life of author Esmeralda Santiago as a 13-year-old girl who has just moved to the United States from Puerto Rico. She arrives with Mami and 3 siblings while her father stays in her homeland. Thrown into a new culture, "Negi," as called by family, must face the challenges of finding herself while under the watchful eye of her strict mother as well as the scrutiny of New York. Negi is the eldest in a family that eventually includes 11 children; she becomes the one to interpret to welfare agents for the family's needs while trying to protect the family's dignity. She is accepted into the Performing Arts High School in Manhattan under the drama program and goes on to participate in several plays, including one on broadway. As she continues to search for roles, she takes classes at a local college where she meets Shoshana. They become best friends and share their lives with each other. Shoshana plays an important role in Negi's search for identity as well as belonging. The reader is present at Negi's first date and her quest to find true love through many out of the ordinary encounters and heartbreak. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who would enjoy the chronicles of a young girl who is placed in an infamiliar place while searching for who she is. It is easy reading and enjoyable to watch how Negi approaches situations and love.Book Review: Deliciously written!
Summary: 4 Stars
Almost A Woman is Esmeralda Santiago's memoirs about coming of age as a young Puerto Rican woman residing in Brooklyn during the 1950s. When she first comes to the U.S. with her highly protective mother and two younger siblings, Esmeralda finds herself caught in a struggle between her desire to become Americanized and the need to retain her cultural identity as a Puerto Rican. Before finally leaving the local middle school, she is given a spot at the Performing Arts High School in Manhattan. Soon, Esmeralda is on her way to a life full of excitement, drama, adventure, self-discovery, and personal growth. Santiago uses delightfully descriptive prose and excellent character development to endear her readers. There is never a dull moment in her storytelling; you feel her ups, downs, and in-betweens. Santiago's whirlwind romances, exploits as an actress and dancer, and adventures with new friends will surely feel as if they've become your own. The end is brilliant and will leave you ravenous for Santiago's next engrossing installment. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Almost A Woman, which should make it highly popular among many different kinds of readers. However, I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the performing arts or wants to learn about another culture.
Book Review: Soul-Searching in a Light-Hearted Memoir
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading "When I was Puerto Rican", I was eager to read the next installment of Esmeralda Santiago's life-story. Because this book is set in New York, it lacks the scenic imagery that is used in the first book to describe her home country. However, we are instead introduced to the introspective musings of a girl attempting to define and journey into womanhood while acclimating to New York - both of which are unfamiliar territory. The book explores some very real and/or mature concerns - e.g., love, an absent father, familial obligations, unwed motherhood, sex, responsibility, culture, etc. - although they are interwoven into a fun and lighthearted tale of Negi's teen years. I would recommend this book (although I would suggest picking up "When I Was Puerto Rican" first).