The tragic are those figures who face devestation with a certain unblinking acceptance- not stoicism, not heroism- but the ability to look at themselves clearly.

Sandra Cisneros, in her first collection of poems "My Wicked Wicked Ways" was able to evoke this sense of drama repeatedly in her monologues of fictional characters and in songs which seemed to be sung by the poet herself about her life. My personal favourite "Something Crazy" illustrates the necessary conditions of the form:

The man with the blue hat
doesn't come back anymore.
He stopped a long time ago.

Before I got married. Before the kids came.
Nobody looks at me like that anymore.
...
I was young then, understand?
Nobody ever looked at me before.
I even dreamed that he might take me
to my highschool dance, imagine.
Waitresses have come and gone,
I've stayed on.

The speaker is stationary, in the restaurant where she works- the man in the blue hat is already a thing of the past when the poem opens. She loves him because he is the ONLY thing that ever came along that loved her or that she could love. In its tone and perfection this poem reminds one of the torch-song as perfected by Billy Holiday. As in that genre the speaker stands alone and sings of a love, an overwhelming passion, almost always in the past. What is present is the pain- and the understatement of the pain and the ability through an embrace of the nostalgia of love to transcend it for a moment in a reach for remembered happiness, and recalled warmth despite the present cold. This is the tension of the genre. The speaker is pinned, unable to leave their grief, but attempts to transcend it in a song.

It is the formula, arguably, of any powerful dramatic song or poem- the speaker in pain. But the formula always depends upon the absence of a choice- these people are dramatic because fate has placed them where they are and they could not, whether they wish to or not, be anywhere else.

The title poem of "My Wicked Wicked Ways" picks up on the author's Don Juan Dad, tags him with the mixed mockery (not least self-mockery) and affection of Errol Flynn's autobiography title- and makes the best of a painful reality by recycling this family condition- as best she can- into her own bravura stance. In the poem's photo of a young married couple the father's coming affairs are not yet seen, and neither is the nature of the baby in her mother's arms:

She does not know yet
I will turn out bad.

The stance which will emerge is that of the "bad" girl, the "Loose Woman", the one who loves 'em and leaves 'em when fate or, crucially, a pose of independence, requires. I say that this stance is a pose or theatrical attitude because I find the poems of heartache and loneliness much more convincing.

In "Loose Woman", the follow up collection, the stance overwhelms the tragedy, in this book the song is sung blue and pure. Very few weak poems here. A selection that stings your throat like a shot of tequila. An album you'll put on your turn table again and again.

Sandra Cisneros is undoubtedly my favorite poet of all time. Her writing is honest, beautiful, simple, humorous, poignant and sad, all at the same time. "My Wicked Wicked Ways" is Cisneros at her best - fresh and sassy, biting and funny, thoughtful and independent. I sooooo highly recommend this book to all - whether you are an avid poetry-enthusiast or are just starting to have interest in the subject. She's wonderful!

Sandra Cisneros is one of my favorite female authors. I was first introduced to her work in a women's studies class. We read "Women Hollering Creek" and after that I read all of her other stuff. This paricular collection of poems is fantastic. My favorite is One Last Poem For Richard.

is as Galeano define "Days and Nights of Love and War". The author open the memory box and let escape the pain and the love, the sadness and the joy. That is not only his box, it's my box too, all latinoamericans' box. So, when we open it we live.

The personal testimony of one of Latin America's foremost contemporary political writers, Eduardo Galeano's Days And Nights Of Love And War blends memoir journaling with an eloquent history to record the lives and struggles of the Latin American people under two decades of unimaginable violence and extreme repression. Galeano combines straight-forward reportage with personal vignettes, interviews, travelogues, and folklore with an impressive and engaging emotional enrichment that includes anger, irony, sadness, and humor. Days And Nights Of Love And War is very highly recommended for students of late 20th century Latin American political history and culture.

This book is for anyone immersed in the human condition, waging a war internally and silently stuggling externally. Galeano's collection of thoughts and essays and stories stirs the emotions of the reader and forces them to consider the entirety of the Latin American canon of literature as a formidable one. It encompasses genres such as autobiography, biography, testimony, prose, and short story. This is poetry of the soul for the soul, and shouldn't be limited to those obscure literature classes dealing with oppression

I highly recommend this book because it is another marvelous work by Sandra Cisneros. Like her other book, The House on Mango Street, it offers sad tales from the hearts of young girls and is an excellent insight on the unique prose style of Cisneros. Besides being enjoyable, the Spanish version may be helpful to those studying Spanish by working on translating, otherwise, this book is still a great classic that any fan of Sandra Cisneros should enjoy!

I love this book. Cisneros writes in such a beautiful and poetic style that I am immediately wherever she takes me. Often when reading this, I had to stop to write down certain lines that appealed to me, such as, "...I believe that love is always eternal. Even if eternity is only five minutes." Wonderful stories.

I made a point of looking up the book here on Amazon so I could write a glowing review. I have also bought a copy for a friend and neighbor (her native country, Mexico). We both are new moms and my son, who is almost two, LOVES this book. "A painting is a poem without words" -- you can see the truth to that saying! The style emphasizes bold color and fantastic figures. The backdrop to these proverbs is an unapologetically childlike universe, awash with the mystery of the new within in the familiar. I wish the authors great success: many many people SHOULD enjoy this book!

I borrowed this book from my ESL co-worker and I fell in love with the gorgeous illustrations and the wonderful text. I came home and looked this book up on Amazon so I could buy it for myself. This is a great book for teachers of Spanish/English/literature/art as well as a great book to sit down and enjoy. You'll love the pictures and the proverbs. Neat book!

The Reverend Father Elizondo presents his native San Antonio as a vibrant bilingual and multicultural city in central Texas on the frontier of the United States and Mexico. He recalls the history of New Spain and how Americans from the east viewed the northern lands of Mexico. From this divide comes a new mestizo, mix, as the Reverend Elizondo poignantly conveys Jesus's life as that of mestizo, a Jew whose very birth was questioned by his mother's people. Our world's history, especially European, is a mixture of people, or, loosely used, mestizo, and so will be our world's future the Reverend Elizondo brilliantly reminds the reader.

I love this book! It is written with the words both in English and Spanish. It is short, sweet and so comfortiing. It's also great for discussing diversity, even in one's own family. My daughter and I love to read this at bedtime.

Hairs Pelitos by Sandra Cisernos is an excellent resource for early childhood educators and parents. It is a bilingual story that describes the differences between family members' hair. It offers children the experience of diversity within one's own family and how we can accept the differences within our own family. As a teacher, the concept of diversity can be extended from family to community and beyond. The language is beautiful and can be used to demonstrate to children how a writer uses descriptive language. The story captures an up-close look at one example of wonder..how simple things mean a lot. Children can pull from their own family rituals, similarities and differences to write their own story.

Hairs- Pelitos, is a poetic short story about the various heads of hair in a family. Mama's is the most wonderful as it carries with it the odor of fresh baked bread, a smell the narrator associates with being close to mama. Difficult to capture in a short review, I recommend this book to those who appreciate poetry and lyricism within a short story for children. It is especially wonderful how appreciated the mother is in the story, and how cherished. My three year old finds it touching.

Women Hollering Creek and other stories by author Sandra Cisneros, is written into different perpectives of everything that happens in life. Perspectives such as love, sex, adultry, abuse, forced marraige and war,etc. All the perpectives are told in a most honest and relistic tone making you want to read more. The most interesting thing about is that it's not just written with one woman's perpective like most books, but through many women young and old. I've read others an so far to me this is the best. I would request this book to anyone who likes to read women's persective in life.

This is the book which made me a feminist during my undergraduate years, and on which I subsequently wrote my senior English thesis. No author of short stories can turn a phrase the way Cisneros can, and her poetic evocations of different stages of life from young girl to mature young woman shed a multi-faceted light on Hispanic women's experiences in which every paragraph becomes thought-provoking.

In addition, read as a whole thematically, this anthology can be seen as similar to the sort of artistic coming-of-age novels such as Hermann Hesse's Peter Camenzind. The key turning point in this development may be the story "Little Miracles, Kept Promises," which is a series of letters left at the shrine of La Virgin de Guadelupe. This reveals the many layers of the shrine, which is the site of an old Aztec goddess with whom Cisneros identified, and who allows for a new revelation of feminine power in the Mexican heritage which comes out for the rest of the work.

However you choose to read it, this is a collection which will both delight and challenge all who come prepared.

Sandra Cisneros, the author of "Woman Hollering Creek" gives us a vibrant variety of stories which reveals some of the strength, true love, and wisdom within women. Cisneros, as a gifted writer and a storyteller, shares stories filled with moments of pain and joy. Women Hollering Creek, offers the life experiences of women who have lived both the Mexican and American life. These delicious, poetic stories bring alive beautiful characters (multifaceted women) who experience true life situations. Each character portrayed in this book, go throughout a catharsis full of pain, anguish, love, hope, and ecstasy. Cisneros is a brave author who shows a unique vision of a women's heart. Her wise work constructed by her poetic style, shows her power as a woman and a writer. In this book, she takes you down a river of sadness, with a long ribbon of laughter. An example of her style is this passage that captivated me, "Your eyes are beautiful, you said. You said they were the darkest eyes you'd ever seen and kissed each one as if they were capable of miracles. And after you left, I wanted to scoop them out with a spoon, place them on a plate under these blue blue skies, food for the blackbirds." It is very fortunate that I read this book, because it has given me so much inspiration. Cisneros as a Latina women, has inspired me (another Latino) to continue on my long journey of becoming a writer. Her beautiful prose gives the reader a sense of the world she brings alive. For example, "The laughing sound of the river and canals, and the high melancholy voice of the wind and the branches of the tall pine." I suggest that every writer should read this book. Another reason why I recommend this book is because it has shown me the astonishing perspective of a woman which no matter what, a man can not have. Me, as a man, would never experience what a women experiences. This book is very valuable to me, since it provides the opportunity to see the inner beauty and strength of a Latina women. A third reason why I recommend this book, is because it invites you to imagine and taste the Mexican culture through a woman's eyes. Woman Hollering Creek, served me especially and can be a great resource for others to learn about Mexican lifestyle. This book informed me more about that romantic, joyful, and traditional Mexican life. The rating I give this book is a ten, because it has helped me understand where women are coming from a little better. I have gained more respect for women who are writers because she gives her heart to her readers.

"Loose Woman" is a collection of poetry by Sandra Cisneros. Throughout the book Cisneros revels in a sort of "bad girl" image: the overall persona is that of a passionate, sexual woman who's had her share of both joy and disappointment. At times she sounds like a Latina soul sister to Charles Bukowski and Allen Ginsberg.

The book is mainly in English, but peppered with Spanish words and phrases; there is one poem entirely in Spanish ("Amorcito Corazon"). Cisneros writes about love, womanhood, Latina identity, and creativity.

Some of my favorite selections from "Loose Woman": "You Bring Out the Mexican in Me," a Whitmanesque celebration of both the speaker's lover and of her own ethnic identity; "Dulzura," with the memorable opening line "Make love to me in Spanish"; "Down There," which celebrates menstruation with vibrantly graphic language; and the title poem, in which the speaker declares "I break laws, / upset the natural order."

The book is throughout spiced with a colorful medley of multicultural references: Dolores del Rio, Nebuchadnezzar, Mohammed, Houdini, the gargoyles of Notre Dame, Sir Walter Raleigh, Marilyn Monroe, etc. Cisneros' language is often raw and sexual, sometimes playfully elegant; I loved her phrase "the origami of the brain" (from "Night Madness Poem"). Definitely a worthwhile collection of poetry from an intriguing Latina voice.

Again, Sandra Cisneros paints the poetic sky with her lyricism and word play. What other poet possesses such gift and style? Cisneros's poem titles in LOOSE WOMAN (1994) such as "I Am on My Way to Oklahoma to Bury the Man I Nearly Left My Husband For," "Down There," "Original Sin," "A Man in My Bed Like Cracker Crumbs," and "You Bring Out the Mexican in Me" speak for themselves.

For their originality and fire, I recommend this volume of poetry by the brave and thundering Sandra Cisneros.

Being a poet, it is highly refreshing to come across a woman with such a strong and developed voice such as Cisneros. After reading "Loose Woman" in one sitting I began to feel a connection to her more than any other poet I have ever had the pleasure to have read. This book allows the reader into the mind of a lyrical poetess with a voice that seems to follow and holler with such sexy and spicy charm

I am a college student majoring in education. I read Holler if you Hear Me and did a group presentation on it. I found the book to be very helpful in understanding different teaching procedures. I also loved the way it stressed teacher/student involvement, which I am a huge believer in. It focused on how teachers should become involved with their students outside of class, as well as inside the class. The stories in the book were based on a very gang prominent area in the South Side area of Chicago. If a teacher is dealing with these types of situations in his/her classroom, they should definately read this book. I really enjoyed the experiences that Mr. Michie shared.

I am a student at Macon State College majoring in Education. I read Holler if you Hear Me and did a presentation on it. The book was a collection of stories and events that occured during the teaching experience of Mr. Michie on the South Side of Chicago. He revealed to me, teaching styles and methods that worked and those that did not. His book strongly stresses the importance of teacher/student interaction. He strongly urges teachers to get to know their students outside of the classroom, as well as in it. He did teach in a very gang prominent area of Chicago. Any teacher dealing with these types of situations in his/her classroom should definately read this book. I found it very helpful.

I stumbled upon Gregory Michie's book and I am glad I did. As I former high school teacher, I have been frustrated with alot of the books being written on teachers that 'save' all of their students. These books, although somewhat entertaining, are not realistic and do not speak to the thousands of educators that go into the classroom everyday trying to make a difference. Michie's book does bring voice to these teachers and more importantly, brings voice to his students. If we all took Michie's approach and listened to our kids, valued their opinions and trusted them to make their own choices, we would be better off. I recommend this book not only for teachers but for anyone concerned about public education, children and our society. There are some powerful stories in Holler If You Hear Me of kids trying to do the right thing in a system that does not recognize them. Michie's book should be required reading for anyone who teaches in the schools and especially for anyone that is thinking about going into public education. I wish I had a book like this to read when I was in school preparing to teach. Kudos to Michie....I hear you!

I live on the Texas/Mexican border so I was very interested and entertained by certain elements of the culture pictured in this book, but the book had one fatal flaw in my opinion. The writer absolutely made no effort for the reader to be able to admire or love any character in this book. After reading so much about the lives and experiences of these characters (some funny, some sad, all believable), I still finished the book not caring one bit about whether they continued to live or die, succeed or fail. This is hardly a recommendation to the writer.

The voice of Celaya, the youngest child of seven and the only daughter, tells her family's history in this marvelous book that rambles back and forth across the Mexican border, detours into 'Notes' about Mexico's history, and meanders through three generations of the Reyes clan.
Sandra Cisneros's distinctive and poetic voice rings out in all the music of the Spanish language with which this book is so liberally seasoned. She tells her 'cuenta' through many, many, many very short chapters, each of which is usually a little family anecdote that, strung together like the beads of a rosary, form a loop that completes this tale of history and mystery, of love and jealousy, of sin and forgiveness - and most of all of joy and celebration.
Caramelo, titled in honor of an unfinished striped antique rebozo (shawl) in which the fringe is partially unknotted, is a beautiful offering for Cisneros fans, like a platter of colorful tropical fruits.

Sandra Cisneros is a master at sketching word pictures and creating characters which are so real that they practically leap off the pages of her book, Caramelo. She details the life of a large Hispanic family, who take an annual trip to Mexico to visit with the grandparents of the main character, Lala Reyes. Cisneros follows the Reyes family back for three generations, and makes her characters understandable because of what they've been through. The family lives in Chicago and San Antonio, and the details of their everyday life ring true. Cisneros paints the lives of these characters, warts and all, and shows outsiders what it's like for a young girl to live in a family with no privacy, but with bonds that securely link these characters together. There is a lot to be learned about the Hispanic culture between these pages, and the reader is left a lot wiser for having read this book.