Memory Mambo: A Novel
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.27 (687 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1573440175 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 256 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-12-24 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Memory Mambo is ultimately very moving in its depiction of what it means to find a new and finally safe sense of home.. Achy Obejas's writing is sharp and mordantly funny. Memory Mambo describes the life of Juani Casas, a 25-year-old Cuban-born American lesbian who manages her family's laundromat in Chicago while trying to cope with family, work, love, sex, and the weirdness of North American culture. She understands perfectly how the romance of exile—from a homeland as well as from heterosexuality—and the mundane reality of everyday life balance one another
Memory Mambo is ultimately very moving in its depiction of what it means to find a new and finally safe sense of home. She understands perfectly how the romance of exile--from a homeland as well as from heterosexuality--and the mundane reality of everyday life balance one another. . Achy Obejas, a Cuban lesbian living in Chicago, scored a huge hit with her 1994 collection of short stories, We Came All the Way from Cuba So You Could Dress Like This? Now in Memory Mambo, her first novel, she describes the life of Juani, a 25-year-old Cuban lesbian who has to deal with family, work, love, sex, and the weirdness of North American culture. Obejas's writing is sharp and mordantly funny
what a dance of remembrance ! - one you won't forget ! Achy Obejas, in her "Memory Mambo," writes creatively and cleverly of -- among other things -- as the title suggests, the very complex dance that our minds do when confronted with unforgettable (if altered) images that are subjectively recorded, subconsciously stored, and blurred by the rose-tinted lens of a hawk-like ego-defense!She does so via her creation of an alienated Juani Casas, a tormented romantic who recognizes that "lies destroy everything, but especially love," -- who "knows things in her heart," suffers. A Customer said Another hit for Achy Obejas. Memory Mambo presents life, death, thoughts, stories, loves, politics, feelings and idiosyncrasies of a Cuban family. The focus is on the exiled family living in Chicago, but includes members living in other parts of the United States and those still in Cuba. Achy Obejas makes the work unique by presenting the biographically sounding fiction slice-of-life presentation through the eyes of Juani Casas, a "Another hit for Achy Obejas" according to A Customer. Memory Mambo presents life, death, thoughts, stories, loves, politics, feelings and idiosyncrasies of a Cuban family. The focus is on the exiled family living in Chicago, but includes members living in other parts of the United States and those still in Cuba. Achy Obejas makes the work unique by presenting the biographically sounding fiction slice-of-life presentation through the eyes of Juani Casas, a 2Another hit for Achy Obejas A Customer Memory Mambo presents life, death, thoughts, stories, loves, politics, feelings and idiosyncrasies of a Cuban family. The focus is on the exiled family living in Chicago, but includes members living in other parts of the United States and those still in Cuba. Achy Obejas makes the work unique by presenting the biographically sounding fiction slice-of-life presentation through the eyes of Juani Casas, a 24 year old lesbian. Not only is the reader exposed to the family, but also the emotions of Juani in her search for . year old lesbian. Not only is the reader exposed to the family, but also the emotions of Juani in her search for . Another hit for Achy Obejas A Customer Memory Mambo presents life, death, thoughts, stories, loves, politics, feelings and idiosyncrasies of a Cuban family. The focus is on the exiled family living in Chicago, but includes members living in other parts of the United States and those still in Cuba. Achy Obejas makes the work unique by presenting the biographically sounding fiction slice-of-life presentation through the eyes of Juani Casas, a 24 year old lesbian. Not only is the reader exposed to the family, but also the emotions of Juani in her search for . year old lesbian. Not only is the reader exposed to the family, but also the emotions of Juani in her search for . Powerful Politics and Pain To avoid repetition, I just want to add that the writing is stunning -- a combination of directness and poetic politics. One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its contemplation of machismo and its attraction to women, even lesbians. Issues of violence and battering within straight and lesbian relationships are also powerfully addressed. To write a book with a protagonist who is not particularly sympathetic is quite risky. I applaud Ms. Obejas loud and long for her decision to do so. One note of caution: t