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bibliocinephile's review
4.0
that ending was so nasty. the entire course of up and downs of this novel spends more time in the downs. the moments of Panchito's joy are glorious and gleam with the innocence of childhood, yet the dark moments are heavy with a knowledge beyond his years, knowledge of a kid forced to grow up too fast. panchito is an incredible narrator and brings to life the awful world through a child's eyes. fantastic <3
emmagru's review
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
It's been far too long since I'd read any chicano literature! This was one of my main literatures of study back in undergrad, so strangely speaking, reading this was a little bit like going home. I was glad to get yet another perspective on immigration and farmwork, especially during today's political climate.
Based in both reality and creative nonfiction, Jimenez recorded both his memories as well as stories from his parents and siblings in order to construct this collection of short stories. This is just fantastic, showing Francisco's want to be like his brother and father and work on the farms, but also wanting to go to school and learn English and further his education.
This collection of stories shows just how difficult the work they did is--certainly it's backbreaking, overwhelming in the heat. But their hands are dry, cracked, bleeding. They can't pick cotton when it's wet because the weight from the dew in the cotton will make it so that the farm owners will have to pay them more. They have to avoid la migra wherever they go, must live in small tents, must live without medical help.
There's such vivid emotions in Jimenez's accounts, blended extremely well with facts and reality. If there's a chicano book that any of you all should read, it's this one.
Review cross-listed here!
Based in both reality and creative nonfiction, Jimenez recorded both his memories as well as stories from his parents and siblings in order to construct this collection of short stories. This is just fantastic, showing Francisco's want to be like his brother and father and work on the farms, but also wanting to go to school and learn English and further his education.
This collection of stories shows just how difficult the work they did is--certainly it's backbreaking, overwhelming in the heat. But their hands are dry, cracked, bleeding. They can't pick cotton when it's wet because the weight from the dew in the cotton will make it so that the farm owners will have to pay them more. They have to avoid la migra wherever they go, must live in small tents, must live without medical help.
There's such vivid emotions in Jimenez's accounts, blended extremely well with facts and reality. If there's a chicano book that any of you all should read, it's this one.
Review cross-listed here!
thejdizzler's review
3.0
Mi primer libro de 2021. Tenia que leer este libro en la escuela cuando era joven. Comprendo mucho mas ahora, y no es tan malo!
frog_bird's review
3.0
first book read in spanish! read for class and it was pretty good. very good semiautobiographical story of latine immigrants and farm workers.
life_as_emmalee's review against another edition
3.0
A powerful book. It is heartfelt and heartbreaking all at the same time.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I really appreciated the short stories in this collection. They give readers a glimpse into the lives of migrant workers in the forties and fifties. It also gives me an appreciation for the hard work that goes into the food that arrives on my plate.
pkgonzales7's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Disfruté el realismo y la honestidad del autor en reflejando en su niñez. Planeo leer el próximo libro. También estoy a un nivel intermedio y este libro fue un buen reto para mi. Hay nuevo vocabulario pero no tanto que fue tan difícil leer.