“She thinks stories are about beauty. Beauty that is there to be admired by anyone, like a herd of clouds grazing overhead. She thinks people who are busy working for a living deserve beautiful little stories, because they don’t have much time and are often tired.”
The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros, is a beautifully written series of vignettes, very poetic and poignant, about a young Hispanic girl growing up in Chicago. These short little narratives of so many episodes in her life, create a clear view of the culture she grows up in and the struggles she faces in coming of age. It’s not an easy life, but she is one who observes closely and learns from her experiences. She is often lonely on her road to self-discovery, but is also surrounded by family and friends. She seeks beauty and a life beyond where she is growing up. And she describes it all as a poet would.
“Someday I will have a best friend all my own. One I can tell my secrets to. One who will understand my jokes without my having to explain them. Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor.”
The House on Mango Street was one of my choices for my 50-books-in-5-years for The Classics Club.
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I also chose this book to read for my personal challenge, “WANDERLUST: Reading the States,” an effort to read books that are from or take place in each of the 50 United States. This book took place in Illinois.
A Fondness For Reading 
This is one of the books that I’ve always seen on the shelves, but know nothing about. You’ve convinced me to get a copy! It sounds wonderful.
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Les, it’s a fast read and a very creatively written book. I loved the first part of it when she was describing ‘the author’ in 3rd person.
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It’s been so long since I read this book that unfortunately I don’t remember much. I actually don’t even own a copy but should add one to my bookshelves as I do have several of Sandra Cisneros books in my “keeper” shelf.
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Iliana, this is the first of her books I have read. I look forward to reading some of her other works.
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Truly a book that surprised and delighted me to a new understanding of what “classics” could be.
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Care, I thought the way she wrote it was very creative. I’m glad I read it.
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