Someday I will have a best friend of 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
Written by Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street is a novella told from Esperanza’s point of view. Instead of a traditional plot, this book is told in vignettes. Esperanza is a child taking in the world around her, and shares her experiences and her family’s in her own voice, that of a child’s. When read together, these small stories act like colors in a painting, each addition makes Mango Street more real and vibrant.
The author herself narrates the audiobook and, in an introduction, explains that this story takes from her own life without it being a memoir. Her sing-songy voice brought me to a place where I had become Esperanza’s diary. As an adult I could both understand the mature situations Esperanza witnesses and remember what is to be a child who lacks context.
The House on Mango Street is not about mangos, but much like a mango, it is full of life. I enjoyed visiting Mango Street and encourage you to do the same.
Comments