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Journal Entry 2 by  AnonymousFinder at Postal Release in Charlestown, Massachusetts USA on Friday, December 10, 2004
 Released on Friday, December 10, 2004 at about 7:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Postal Release in Charlestown, Massachusetts USA.
RELEASE NOTES:
On it's way to StormyBreeze.
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Journal Entry 6 by mrsordonez from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Monday, January 10, 2005
What a great book! Now I know why it was on my wish list for so long. With such a rough childhood described, who would think that I was able to magically transport myself every time I opened the cover, actually wanting to be and visualising myself as Negi. This coming from a 26 year old white girl who could only be Latina in her dreams. Ok, so I admit that Spanish and Women's Studies are my two areas of concentration in school, but that is for a reason, right?
I can't wait to read Casi una mujer/Almost a Woman by Santiago as well. She is a magnificent author. I have to say that there is nothing extraordinary about her childhood, I'm sure it reflects many typical families, but the way she writes it is almost magical in its originality. Her attention to detail, without BEING about the details shows her true talent. She transports you to Macun in the late fifties, as if you've been there before, and understand exactly what she is talking about.
For the uninitiated in the Spanish language and Latin culture, there is a glossary in the back, which I found great. It really was important for some Spanish to be used in the text, as I'm sure some English was used in the translation. Usually when I read a book, I prefer the original language to the translation, as I am sensitive to bad translation. I was surprised that, according to the back cover, the book was originally in English and translated to Spanish, as upon getting through a few chapters I was sure the opposite was true. It's not that she is deficient in either language, but actually shows a remarkable bilaterality, being able to express sophisticated language that comes only out of a fusion of the two. I do think, however, that I would have preferred in the end to read the book in Spanish, just because Latin themes really speak to me more in Spanish, although it isn't my native language. Maybe *because* it isn't my native language, it transfers a kind of exoticism that I miss sometimes when I read Spanish in translation.
One of my favorite words from the book is the Spanglish charamanbiche. You'll have to look at the glossary to know what it means, unless you are bicultural, and perhaps you can figure it out. I've been speaking Spanish for 13 years, and got almost all of Santiago's phonetic writing, but this one had me really puzzled. I thought I knew all of the Spanish cuss words, and I laughed when I realized that this was a mix of the two languages. If you pronounce each syllable slowly you should figure it out, if not, you can always PM and I'll tell you (for those who've already passed the book on).
What a great read, what a great time. I'm so glad I was able to participate. Definitely worth the time invested, I couldn't put it down. I've PMed Apolonia for her address to pass it on.
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Journal Entry 9 by Apolonia from Lynn, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Finally finished, I did enjoy this book, and as someone who has spent a lot of time with a Puerto Rican family, it was nice to hear words or phrases used by Puerto Ricans It brought back some memories, and reminded me of some Spanish words that I had forgotten. I used to be pretty fluent in Spanish , but I don't get to practice much these days, so you tend to forget a lot.
I do have to add that with this book more than any other I have ever read I got more laughs and questions for the title. I guess people found it strange.
Sending next to Flaming-Ice, will be surface so it may be awhile.
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When I Was Puerto Rican
