The House on Mango Street

I went into The House on Mango Street knowing nothing about it. I was initially surprised at how short this book was and how it used a series of vignettes to tell its story. Based on the author's personal experiences, these brief snapshots follow the life of Esperanza, a teenage girl growing up in Chicago in the 1960's. 

At times this dark narrative had a poetic feel and through Esperanza, Cicneros addresses several emotional topics (rape, abuse, prejudice ...) into this book's mere 100 pages. These glimpses into Esperanza's life are brief (and not long enough to be memorable) and focus on her experiences with family, friends and people in her neighbourhood. Despite their brevity, if readers stand back, they'll recognize themes of coming-of-age, poverty, and reaching for something better while also being comforted with the idea of having a place to come home to.

I saw this book on bookstagram but had never heard of it before. Apparently, it is popular in American high school curriculum and while it touches on important themes, this middle-aged Canadian is not the target audience so please note that I am in the minority in my feelings for this book.  

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Sandra Cisneros

Genre: Short Story, Young Adult, BIPOC author

Type and Source: Paperback from public library

Publisher: Vintage

First Published: January 1, 1984

Book Description from GoodReads: Told in a series of vignettes stunning for their eloquence, The House on Mango Street is Sandra Cisneros's greatly admired novel of a young girl growing up in the Latino section of Chicago. Acclaimed by critics, beloved by children, their parents and grandparents, taught everywhere from inner-city grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, it has entered the canon of coming-of-age classics.

Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous, The House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, whose neighborhood is one of harsh realities and harsh beauty. Esperanza doesn't want to belong--not to her rundown neighborhood, and not to the low expectations the world has for her. Esperanza's story is that of a young girl coming into her power, and inventing for herself what she will become.