Caramelo

I just finished this book and can only say "Brava" to Senorita Cisneros! It had an ebb and flow like a favorite sitcom or "telenovela"! Though I am not Mexican or Latina, I could still relate to the "life experiences" that were depicted; and I thoroughly enjoyed the generous sprinkling of Latin culture throughout the story. It was really like sitting down at a family reunion and hearing the stories of old. Just a charming book!

Cisneros's talent has been confirmed by Mango St and Woman Hollering Creek, her two fiction offerings from the past,and by the poetry of Loose Woman, loaded with a language deftly conjured and tooled, and achieving an alchemy that puts her among the very best American, not just Chicana, poets of our day. Given the talent she obviously owns, Caramelo is a big disappointment. It can hardly be called a novel, since it lacks the unity and resolution of theme that might make it one. It is instead a collection of unevenly written vignettes that would tell the story of three generations in the narrator's family, and contains precious few examples of fine writing among the eighty-odd little pieces. Much of the text is marred with forced metaphors, non-sequitors, redundance, and curio-shop descriptions - contrived and colorful and meant to appeal to tourist readers from outside the culture.
There is a list of bad habits in this book. The penchant for transliterated Spanish terms and phrases, instead of sensible translations that might convey their original irony and wit, is a device that now and then does produce the third dimension of a funny nuance or flip in meaning, but more often not, and the non-hispanic reader is left with a convoluted mutation of the original language. The oft-repeated dialectic of fact vs. fiction throughout is frivolous, adding nothing to the integrity of the book - it comes off as veiled apology for an identity crisis. The chance encounters of some of the main characters with famous historical figures, ala Forrest Gump, comes off as a gimmicky device, a filler; the book's format has other fillers: banal historical footnotes, roomy episodic headings, and lots of blank page space.
Another acute fault: the campy, diluted treatment given to what could have been dramatic encounters and unmasked moments, both amorous and contentious, between spouses and lovers - they are instead left to sputter clipped, insipid chatter concocted from a thin lexicon. We Mexicanos have a rich oral lexicon, displayed at every level and class of society -(our illiterate campesinos are, as a group, more eloquent in speech than most north american college graduates, whose oral skills have been truncated by addiction to electronic data)- and there should have been no lack of eloquence and verbosity in those encounters. Along with their paucity of dialogue, I found a paucity of truth in some of those encounters and actions, and I don't mean historic veracity or convention, I mean truth of character. Large doses of serendipity cannot substitute for that.
The linguistic talent, and heart to match, which I had hoped to find throughout the book appear only in scant doses here and there in the first two-thirds; we are finally treated to the true size of the author's talent in a few of the third part's episodes, dealing with moments from the narrator's adolescence. In these the language is honed, the humor is wicked and takes no prisoners, and that uncanny reach Cisneros has into the depth of the hidden self, into her heart of hearts which is ours too, because in it is a universal immigrant experience and a wide berth of compassion, does happen. Here is the gift of her linguistic prism, passed over honest moments of a young woman's life. (Again, "honest" having nothing to do with the fact vs. invention riddle, which is irrelevant).
What is proposed at the book's incipience as a major, if not the major, unifying device, the legenday "caramelo" style rebozo of the title - which survives as a near-sacred relic through the family saga - is never really given that place. It is reduced to occasional metaphoric allusions and incidental appearances here and there.
There are inconsistencies and hollows in some of the characters. For example, the "Awful Grandmother," a personage which should have by book's end stood large and commanding if not felicitous, ends up a mere caricature, bereft of the valor and tenderness of heart suggested in moments from her young life. The scene towards the end, where her ghost confronts Laya (the narrator) in the hospital while she keeps vigil by her father's bedside, appears as a desperate attempt to give substance and resolution to a character which has been two-dimensional and inconsistent through much of the book. Her sudden and unexplainable sympathetic conversion, and the trendy guru-like platitudes that are put in her mouth, are a maudlin quick-fix. My goodness, if the narrator has the aplomb and license to totally invent somewhat interesting ironies and speech for the historical figures that she inserts here and there, couldn't she have done as much for one of her main and supposedly geneological characters?
I am not surprised by the plethora of smoochy reviews from trade associates of the author that have greeted the book, but I am surprised by the absence of her true talent in it. As a Chicano who believes we have barely begun to explore the potential inherent in a literature of our people's experience, on a truly world-class level, I feel that the kind of uncritical, "sheltered" reviews our few famous writers usually get are an insult, implying, "We don't want to break with fashion, and we don't expect any better from you, so we'll just patronize you as a genre author." It may be culturally and politically safe, but it is patronizing.
If we really believe there are Chicana/o authors who can produce on a world class level, then we should demand that from them, and break out of the "school-play" syndrome. We shouldn't treat our authors like kids, for whom we will applaud no matter how off-key they sing or how many lines they flub in the school play. This is the big-time, with alot at stake. When an author like Cisneros has shown that she's got it, and furthermore, continues to claim that she's got it, then she better show it. She's representing more than herself, she's representing our people.

Noto que los comentarios de la edicion en espanol son todos en ingles. Porque? No los se, pero yo por mi parte estoy contentisima que lo lei en espanol. La verdad, actualmente lo estoy leyendo de vuelta. Como me encantan las voces de los personajes! Ay, cuando la abuela enojona habla es como si estuviera saliendo de las paginas una persona tan inolvidable,tan reganona, tan unica... casi puedo oir su voz en mi cocina. Y saber mas de su ninez nos ayuda en entenderla mejor (aunque sigue siendo dificil...)

La traductora Liliana Valenzuela hizo un trabajo extraordinario con este libro. No hay nada de rigidez ni de torpeza- fluye con gracia y humor.

Me gusta este libro bien mas que La Casa en Mango Street. Este cuento esta lleno de color, de vibracion, de gracia. Lindisimo. GRACIAS!

I absolutely loved this book! Cisneros' way with words touched up an old painting of mine that's been in my heart, unseen, for years. There were so many things that I had not thought about since childhood, regarding my family and culture that she brought back to life in this book. I can see how this might be a tough read for Non-Latinos, but it is a nice peek into the Mexican-American culture nonetheless.
I gave this book 5 stars because I was glued to it. I laughed and cried and went back to reread because I was so touched at times.
Arriba Caramelo!

This was absolutely the most wonderful book I think I've ever read! I've always been proud to be Mexican- American but now it feels more beautiful than ever. She touched the corners of my mexican soul with this novel. I was definitly sad when I completed the last page. It was like my journey had ended. She took me to places and times in Mexico I've never imagined. Cisneros definitly sparked my interest into asking my grandma and great tia's about my family history and stories. She's definitly an inspiration to a young latina like me just beginning college. I've recommended this book to all the mujeres in my family and my amigas and I will continue to.

Will Sandra Cisneros always be our token Mexican? Will she always get away with mediocre writing? My suspicion is yes, she will. My husband and I enjoyed bits of the book--Cisneros has a good ear for dialogue--but much of the book was painfully obvious and pointless. It felt self-important with that midwestern writer workshop aura to it and everytime a character enters a room he/she must list the contents of the room. We listened to this on a road trip and it might have made the trip that much longer. I also had a copy of the book--which I recommend over the audio (to avoid the screechy whiney voice). Unfortunately, Chicana lit. rises and sets with Ms. Cisneros when it would do better to spotlight Viramontes or Castillo or even Denise Chavez for that matter. Don't let her kid you. Cisneros is not our Shakespeare, she is our Danielle Steel.

I loved this book so much and I highly recomend it. Cisneros has a way of weaving back and forth between reality and fantasy and creating characters and experiences that are enchanting and delightful. I love how she includes informational background at the end of each chapter. And her lyrical prose that weaves together Spanish and English, bounces with life. As a Mexican American myself I was delighted to find a novel that brought be back to my roots and moved me so deeply with its close depiction of a life and family similar to that of my own. This is a special treasure!

I found the story good, but not riveting--when I could find it.
All the descriptive prose and Spanish phraseology were a distraction. I realize the author was painting a (very big) picture of sights, sounds and smells etc. but it often seemed to me that the thread of the story was buried in all that description. Anyone who knows a fair amount of Spanish and knows idioms and colloquial sayings would not find that element to be a problem. True, some meanings could be understood from the contxt or the explanation, but even with Spanish dictionary in hand it was too much for me. I finally just skipped it, but felt this caused me to lose a lot of appreciation for the story.
The writing didn't flow for me and I kept wishing the story could have been told in a more straightforward way.
I would like to suggest translations in () to assist non-Hispanic readers. The Spanish languge is beautiful and knowing more of what I was reading would have added a lot.
Let me also say that I own and have read the authors other books and love them greatly. I also found them to be much edgier and the writing does flow, or maybe soar would be a more apt description!!

The experience of reading this book surprised me : I enjoyed it! Although a voracious reader, I had read another work by Cisneros and I despised it. The title fits the story because it it is simply sweet.

During the last 3 months, I have read three Hispanic books written in the USA. "Caramelo" "American Dreams" and "El Corrido de Dante". Sincerely, I believe they are the best that I read in many years.

Sandra Cisneros moves gracefully from hope to challenge and onto nostalgia, courage, adventure, and finally to love in "Caramelo". "American Dreams" and "El Corrido de Dante" by Gonzalez-Viana are probably one of the most creative and far-reaching books about the Hispanic immigration to the United States.

I have had the feeling that my readers are the new classic of the American literature for the present century.

This book did an excellent job of documenting the stories of a large colorful family in refreshingly realistic and blunt way, but I gave it 3 stars because it was also somewhat erratic and boring. Cisnero's efforts to make the book entertaining and intricate at once felt like she was forcing the "rebozo" metaphor. Continual attempts to appeal to the senses prove to be more vulgar and overwhelming than "poetic". The comedic element of the book is good but would fare better if the characters were more 3-dimensional and endearing. The bits about Mexican History were fascinating and added texture to the book.

I am a black gay man and I loved this book. It's not just a beautiful trip through Mexican culture, but it's also a story that all humans can relate to. A story of family, perseverance through adversity and a story of finding the way to loving ones self.

Extraordinary. I am now officially a fan of Cisneros.

Caramelo is very Mexican, but at the same time delves into our common human experiences and relationships with a depth that is astounding. It's a book to be experienced with the heart, not the head. It's sensory, touching, funny, and heart rending.

I loved House on Mango Street but I couldn't even make myself finish this book. Too many characters and too much spanish splashed into the novel for me personnelly to be able to complete it. House on Mango was so great and this is so drab - amazing the difference in the two.

This is my story. Ok, maybe it isn't, but its SO damn close.

I am a Mexican-American born to a man who was born in Mexico. I've experienced traveling to Mexico by car, starting my period in Mexico!!, families showing favoritism toward the oldest child, everything. This book is amazing, I laugh, I cry and I cherish this book. Haha, I even remember having my first boyfriend and trying to convince him to "steal me" too! Its a beautiful story

Sanda Cisneros taps into my memories of childhood as a Mexican immigrant growing up in the states and driving back to Mexico in caravan with other cousins, time and time again for our annual vacation. Simply amazing!! Reading this book brought a smile to my face, reminding me of so many quirky qualities of my own family. The family arguments, the mannerisms, slang, etc. Wonderful!! I can't recommend this book enough.

As an English teacher and an avid reader, this is one of the best books I have ever read. Cisneros is a master of both English and Spanish and this beautifully written tale takes readers on a wonderful journey into discovery of what it means to be human. This is a fascinating novel filled with words of wisdom that cross all cultural, ethnic, and religious lines. This is a novel I will cherish.

This is a wonderful read even if it is long. The story frames three generations from life in old Mexico to growing up in San Antonio. The characters are unique and creative. The book will make you cry and laugh all at the same time. Truly a masterpiece.

In this familiar story, Cisneros uses the language in a very special way. She mixes English with Spanish expressions to show its bilingual and bi-cultural heritage. A must for all those who want to know more about the Chicano reality.

Sandra Cisneros has always been my favorite author and I admire her so much. Her book reminds me of my family. I relive my childhood through her stories. I also hope to one day be able to write as good as she has.