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Sister Chicas by Jane Alberdeston Coralin, Lisa Alvarado, Ann Hagman Cardinal, Jane Alberdeston
arisbookcorner's review
3.0
These authors love metaphors. I like metaphors too, but I think there was one on every other page. Some of them just made no sense. For example, "the room's air suddenly the texture of a daisy touched by a little girl's fingers." (pg. 67). What does that even mean??? They also love emphasizing that these girls are SISTER CHICAS BUT NOT RELATED (in case you didn't get that from the title or the synopsis or the first chapter). Don't let me forget about the flashbacks. Just no. I understand having a few flashbacks here and there to better develop a character, but like metaphors, the flashbacks are overused. They are long and not always important. I think the authors should have tried to show more creative ways of making the same point of the flashback without the chapter long flashbacks. Plus the transitions from past to present were confusing. There were also too many inconsequential details that started to get on my nerves, little statements like "it might be getting dark, but I'm not blind!" (pg. 50) and "force a smile through my black lipstick." (pg. 44) I know that's not really a big deal, but the book was dragging on as it was so I wasn't in the mood for these minor details. Finally, I didn't understand why Taina was so reluctant to have a quinceanera. Or at least, I understood why someone wouldn't want one but she never artfully articulated why SHE did not want one. She just went on and on about Yusef, who we are told is wonderful and they are in love (he's seventeen and going to attend college in Chicago, how perfect. *sorry snappiness*). And why didn't Taina have any friends her own age? Same with Grachi? Leni was a loner but those other two were supposed to be really nice and cheerful...bizarre.
I did appreciate such a strong friendship, and I though the big fight between the girls was genuine. Most importantly each girl made her point clear about why she was upset and the friendship wasn't immediately saved. I really liked Grachi's storyline, feeling so guilty over wanting to pursue her passion even though it wasn't exactly what she thought her parents wanted (or deserved). Maybe I just happened to read her story at the right time in my life, but she was stressed over all her commitments (attending UIC, tutoring, working part-time at a bookstore) and I'm starting to get stressed over various summer program applications/class registrations. None of the girls are particularly noteworthy, but I found Grachi's voice to be the strongest. She has this quote that I could definitely relate to "other Graciela said yes to Phaedra Mondragon. The least she could've done was stick around long enough to help with this. I guess she must've stayed on the train and kept going. There's only me left, and this me is having a hard time with all of this." (pg. 84)The whole two split personalities/two different sides of a person and then watching that side of you/your personality fade to leave you to pick up the pieces? Classic. My favorite part was all the details of Chicago. The setting is present, but it's not big enough to be a character in and of itself. However it's there and I appreciated it. From mentions of the el to the girls attending Whitney Young High School, walking to Logan Square (which is where my Papi grew up is one of my favorite neighborhoods) and waiting for the bus, it made me happy :) I also thought the girls' hangout was described in excellent detail and I wish I had a local cafe like El Rinconcito (there is an actual restaurant in Logan Square called El Rinconcito Cubano), it sounds heavenly. The girls gather there every Thursday to catch up, the sip cafes con leche and chat with the charming owner, Don Ramiro. I'm not sure if all the places mentioned should use the real names though...
Sister Chicas is a genial tale of the close friendship between three girls. While the origin of their friendship is not described in much detail (and I still find it hard to believe that a fifteen year old would be friends with a freshman in college whom she had never met before high school), it is a strong one that faces authentic ups and downs. Each girl has a distinctive personality, one that every girl, Latina or not, can see a little of herself in them. Leni does have some funny moments, although I'm not so sure all the humor will be understand by people who don't know much about Latin culture such as "[I] made it through the round of obligatory dances with my arranged caballero date, Mario, who, by the way, is not a bad dancer. Could have fooled me! Underneath that slicked-back 1950s hair and railroad track of braces beats the rhythm of Tito Puente!" (pg. 228).That made me personally laugh out loud, but I'm not sure it would amuse everyone. Less usage of metaphors, smoother transitions from past to present and less details would make the story flow better. A good chica/chick lit read with the lovely backdrop of diverse Chicago.
I did appreciate such a strong friendship, and I though the big fight between the girls was genuine. Most importantly each girl made her point clear about why she was upset and the friendship wasn't immediately saved. I really liked Grachi's storyline, feeling so guilty over wanting to pursue her passion even though it wasn't exactly what she thought her parents wanted (or deserved). Maybe I just happened to read her story at the right time in my life, but she was stressed over all her commitments (attending UIC, tutoring, working part-time at a bookstore) and I'm starting to get stressed over various summer program applications/class registrations. None of the girls are particularly noteworthy, but I found Grachi's voice to be the strongest. She has this quote that I could definitely relate to "other Graciela said yes to Phaedra Mondragon. The least she could've done was stick around long enough to help with this. I guess she must've stayed on the train and kept going. There's only me left, and this me is having a hard time with all of this." (pg. 84)The whole two split personalities/two different sides of a person and then watching that side of you/your personality fade to leave you to pick up the pieces? Classic. My favorite part was all the details of Chicago. The setting is present, but it's not big enough to be a character in and of itself. However it's there and I appreciated it. From mentions of the el to the girls attending Whitney Young High School, walking to Logan Square (which is where my Papi grew up is one of my favorite neighborhoods) and waiting for the bus, it made me happy :) I also thought the girls' hangout was described in excellent detail and I wish I had a local cafe like El Rinconcito (there is an actual restaurant in Logan Square called El Rinconcito Cubano), it sounds heavenly. The girls gather there every Thursday to catch up, the sip cafes con leche and chat with the charming owner, Don Ramiro. I'm not sure if all the places mentioned should use the real names though...
Sister Chicas is a genial tale of the close friendship between three girls. While the origin of their friendship is not described in much detail (and I still find it hard to believe that a fifteen year old would be friends with a freshman in college whom she had never met before high school), it is a strong one that faces authentic ups and downs. Each girl has a distinctive personality, one that every girl, Latina or not, can see a little of herself in them. Leni does have some funny moments, although I'm not so sure all the humor will be understand by people who don't know much about Latin culture such as "[I] made it through the round of obligatory dances with my arranged caballero date, Mario, who, by the way, is not a bad dancer. Could have fooled me! Underneath that slicked-back 1950s hair and railroad track of braces beats the rhythm of Tito Puente!" (pg. 228).That made me personally laugh out loud, but I'm not sure it would amuse everyone. Less usage of metaphors, smoother transitions from past to present and less details would make the story flow better. A good chica/chick lit read with the lovely backdrop of diverse Chicago.
perpetualpages's review
4.0
I have to say, I'm crazy about this book; it made me love my own heritage more than I ever knew that I could, and it's opened a door for me to Latinx literature that I don't think I'll ever be able to shut.
Race has never been a boundary for me, and that's been clear because I, as a Mexican-American reader, am expected to find parts of myself within a plethora of characters—many of which, let's face it, are white. Now I want to actively seek out characters who are more like me in the most basic of ways: we come from the same place, we share the same struggles, we carry the same voice.
This novel was amazing in that sense; I identified strongly with each of the three main characters and I found their stories not only to be well-written, but to be honest and authentic—something sorely lacking in novels written by non-Latinx authors who try to write Latinx characters. I often find those characters to be caricatures and an assortment of distorted stereotypes rather than actual, relatable human beings. However, the characters in THIS book were strong and their voices were undeniable, they were so genuine and true to their origin.
I loved the incorporation of Spanish phrases and snippets scattered throughout the narration. They were mixed in almost as much as any English phrase, and I felt like even if a reader didn't have the advantage of speaking the language—as I did, to some extent—that everything was still understandable, because the FEEL of the language came through so clearly. It was also so amazing to see so many discernible Spanish words in the text, because they felt rich and all-encompassing, capturing emotions and descriptions that sometimes English wants for. I thought the representation of Latinx culture was just amazing, and as a Chicanx myself, I can say that it all just radiated pure truth
In my edition of the book, there's a reader's guide included in the back. The first question asks which of the three characters you identified with most and why. I can't answer that question, because all three girls so authentically voiced some piece of my life: Taina had the overbearing, traditional Mom averse to change; Grachi had the tough parents with high expectations to whom she felt indebted because of their continual sacrifice; and Leni struggled with assimilating her Puerto Rican culture with that of her American culture—trying to figure how to reconcile the rocker within her with her homeland and wondering if there is a guy out there who can not only respect her culture, but understand it.
Each girl told beautiful, rich tales of estranged family, cultures overshadowed, first loves, and so much more. I enjoyed the true sisterhood these characters shared, and seeing how they supported each other in more than surface ways. All three storylines—and the ways they intersected and diverged—were so interesting and unique. I loved that there was one author for each voice, because it really helped them to be distinctive and valid, yet they all worked together tremendously.
I really can't say enough about this book; I'm grateful to it for opening my eyes and presenting me with truly identifiable characters that were so representative of who I am—of the Mexican in "Mexican-American." There was humor, heart, and inescapable realism woven through each perspective. I highly encourage all contemporary lovers to embrace this book, because it is beautifully created and an extraordinary coming of age story outside of the traditionally comfortable boundaries of the genre.
Race has never been a boundary for me, and that's been clear because I, as a Mexican-American reader, am expected to find parts of myself within a plethora of characters—many of which, let's face it, are white. Now I want to actively seek out characters who are more like me in the most basic of ways: we come from the same place, we share the same struggles, we carry the same voice.
This novel was amazing in that sense; I identified strongly with each of the three main characters and I found their stories not only to be well-written, but to be honest and authentic—something sorely lacking in novels written by non-Latinx authors who try to write Latinx characters. I often find those characters to be caricatures and an assortment of distorted stereotypes rather than actual, relatable human beings. However, the characters in THIS book were strong and their voices were undeniable, they were so genuine and true to their origin.
I loved the incorporation of Spanish phrases and snippets scattered throughout the narration. They were mixed in almost as much as any English phrase, and I felt like even if a reader didn't have the advantage of speaking the language—as I did, to some extent—that everything was still understandable, because the FEEL of the language came through so clearly. It was also so amazing to see so many discernible Spanish words in the text, because they felt rich and all-encompassing, capturing emotions and descriptions that sometimes English wants for. I thought the representation of Latinx culture was just amazing, and as a Chicanx myself, I can say that it all just radiated pure truth
In my edition of the book, there's a reader's guide included in the back. The first question asks which of the three characters you identified with most and why. I can't answer that question, because all three girls so authentically voiced some piece of my life: Taina had the overbearing, traditional Mom averse to change; Grachi had the tough parents with high expectations to whom she felt indebted because of their continual sacrifice; and Leni struggled with assimilating her Puerto Rican culture with that of her American culture—trying to figure how to reconcile the rocker within her with her homeland and wondering if there is a guy out there who can not only respect her culture, but understand it.
Each girl told beautiful, rich tales of estranged family, cultures overshadowed, first loves, and so much more. I enjoyed the true sisterhood these characters shared, and seeing how they supported each other in more than surface ways. All three storylines—and the ways they intersected and diverged—were so interesting and unique. I loved that there was one author for each voice, because it really helped them to be distinctive and valid, yet they all worked together tremendously.
I really can't say enough about this book; I'm grateful to it for opening my eyes and presenting me with truly identifiable characters that were so representative of who I am—of the Mexican in "Mexican-American." There was humor, heart, and inescapable realism woven through each perspective. I highly encourage all contemporary lovers to embrace this book, because it is beautifully created and an extraordinary coming of age story outside of the traditionally comfortable boundaries of the genre.
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