Set among Mexican American families in San Antonio and across the Texas border region, these stories show girls and women pressing against the limits of family, church, and marriage. In the title story, Cleófilas leaves home for a life with a violent husband in a small Texas town, until a woman named Felice helps her get away. Other pieces, including "Never Marry a Mexican," use short, rhythmic sentences and bilingual phrases to move from childhood memories to bitter adult encounters.
Cisneros will appeal to anyone who likes short fiction with a strong voice and humor close to the surface. It is a good classroom text and an equally good pick for readers who want to see how Spanish and English can share a sentence without translation.
Inward-looking and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Mindful Reader. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1991
- Language
- EN
