Casi Una Mujer / Almost a Woman - by Esmeralda Santiago (Paperback)

About the Book

From a three room apartment in Brooklyn occupied by ten family members, Esmeralda Santiago begins a journey that is both a triumphant struggle for identity and independence and a mother's worst nightmare. Challenged by language barriers, cultural stereotypes, and the extremely protective Mami, Santiago continues the rollicking ascent she began in "When I Was Puerto Rican".

Book Synopsis

En su nueva memoria, la clamada autora de Cuando era puertorriqueña continua su cautivante crónica describiendo su salida de los barrios de Brooklyn a los teatros de Manhattan.

"Negi", como cariñosamente la llama su familia, deja Macún, un campo de Puerto Rico, en 1961 para vivir en un apartamento de tres habitaciones en un proyecto de viviendas, con siete hermanas y hermanos pequeños, una abuela preguntona, y una mama estricta que no la dejaba salir con muchachos. A los trece años, Negi añora su propia cama, privacidad, y una vida con su padre, quien permanece en Puerto Rico con su nueva esposa. Mientras traduce para Mami en la oficina del Welfare por la mañana, hace el papel de Cleopatra en el prestigioso Performing Arts High School de Nueva York por las tardes, y baila salsa toda la noches, Negi ansia lograr un equilibrio entre ser norteamericana y ser puertorriqueña. Cuando desafía a su madre al salir en una serie de graciosísimas citas, Negi descubre que la independencia trae consigo sus propios retos.

Una conmovedora historia universal sobre la llegada a la mayoría de edad, a la vez que una valiente y sincera historia de inmigrantes, Casi una mujer es el triunfal camino de Santiago a hacerse mujer.

"Una historia universal, familiar para miles de inmigrantes a este país, pero transformada en algo especial por la sencillez y honestidad de Santiago". -The Miami Herald

Traducción de Nina Torres-Vidal

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

A simultaneous Spanish-language edition, originally translated for Vintage by Nina Torres-Vidal

In her new memior, the acclaimed author of When I Was Puerto Rican continues the riveting chronicle of her life.

"Negi," as Santiago's family affectionately calls her, leaves rural Macun in 1961 to live in a three-bedroom tenement apartment with seven siblings, and inquisitive grandmother, and a strict mother who won't allow her to date. At thirteen, Negi yearns for her own bed, for privacy, and her father, who remains in Puerto Rico. Translating for Mami at the welfare office in the morning, starring as Cleopatra at New York's Performing Arts High School in the afternoon, and dancing salsa all night, she also seeks to find balance between being an American and Puerto Rican. When Negi defies her mother by going on a series of dates, she finds that independence brings challenges.

At once a universally poignant coming-of-age tale and a heartfelt immigrant's story, Almost a Woman is Santiago's triumphant journey into womanhood.

Review Quotes

"A courageous memoir...One witnesses the blessings, contradictions, and restraints of Puerto Rican culture." --The Washington Post Book World

"Richly evocative...[Santiago has] the skill to render the most minute details of her before and after lives." --The Los Angeles Times

"Santiago writes with a flair for detail, humor, and complex emotion that draws readers into a delightful...if sometimes heart breaking, personal journey." --The Orlando Sentinel

"A universal tale...made special by Santiago's simplicity and honesty." --Miami Herald

About the Author

Esmeralda Santiago lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and two children.

Translated into Spanish by Nina Torres-Vidal