Like Cisneros, Chicago-raised Celaya grows up under the overwhelming presence of her six older brothers, and as the youngest and only daughter, Celaya’s voice gets lost in the din of her large family. It’s an entirely different world from the American one Celaya was raised in: Residents speak rapid Spanish, street vendors sell tasty Mexican food staples and her grandmother acts so awful that Celaya dubs her the “Awful Grandmother.” It isn’t until Celaya listens to her grandmother’s history that she and the readers are privy to the multi-generational storytelling that connects all family members, past and present.Ĭisneros draws inspiration from her life for book material, and “Caramelo” is no exception. In “Caramelo,” Cisneros takes you on a road trip from the American city of Chicago, across the border and to Mexico City, where the protagonist Celaya visits her grandparents every summer. Many fans sitting in the wooden pews brought copies of Cisneros’ debut novel, “The House on Mango Street,” but what introduced me to the celebrated author was a later work of hers: “Caramelo,” a 2002 novel that has remained relevant because of its theme of Mexican-American identity. There, in a small yet crowded chapel, she recited one of her short stories, read a personal essay and answered questions from the audience. I recently listened to author Sandra Cisneros when she visited my university to discuss her writing.
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