tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.comments2022-03-24T10:58:16.255-07:00El LiteratiEl Literati for Tianguishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709420821205166373noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-56513309134655178412009-04-08T22:37:00.000-07:002009-04-08T22:37:00.000-07:00I found this link:http://www.nationalmuseumofmexic...I found this link:<BR/><BR/>http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/downloads/Sor_Juana.pdfYolanda Cardenashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360420648486958539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-46251093566307938542009-03-14T20:17:00.000-07:002009-03-14T20:17:00.000-07:00Im pretty distant from the reality of high school,...Im pretty distant from the reality of high school, but Im guessing a book like this one wouldn’t be allowed, is that really true? If it is, how tragic that the education system can’t share people’s hard stories from adolescence with high school students. It is exactly the kind of book that I would have loved in high school precisely because, as many have said, it is honest. All the characters live every moment completely true to themselves, doing what they think is best or doing the best they can in each moment, even when everyone is telling them otherwise, and at times harsh are the consequences. Isn’t that what a lot of young adults struggle to figure out, how to be true to themselves, and learn what that means in relation to the world around them. Well hopefully all of us struggle with being true to ourselves regardless of age. Hmmm, this makes me wonder how we do teach people to follow their conscious, and how do we deal with the mistakes in that learning process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-1341031938729599802009-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:002009-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:00Yes! Oscar Wao should be taught in high schools. ...Yes! Oscar Wao should be taught in high schools. My son, at 13, attends a Jesuit Catholic middle school and they encouraged him to read it. He now can talk about Dominican dictatorship and hemispheric questions of colonization better than most of my suburban college students. Plus he can finally connect with a main character who is ostracized for being both smart AND brown. We don't get too many heroes/anti-heroes like that. <BR/><BR/>Also, reading moms should know: Chicago Jesuit Academy - all boys full scholarship middle school - accepting applications now. My son just got full ride offers to Latin, St. Ignatius and a boarding school on the W. Coast.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859914474493131961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-44360370862644251042009-02-28T14:44:00.000-08:002009-02-28T14:44:00.000-08:00Those are great pics! (I just figured out how to p...Those are great pics! (I just figured out how to post not using google)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-65575132853273418832009-02-27T16:47:00.000-08:002009-02-27T16:47:00.000-08:00I second Irasema's motion to use this book in high...I second Irasema's motion to use this book in high schools. As I've been reading I've been thinking about what a great book this would be to teach in *all* the schools where I've ever taught, including the suburbs. <BR/><BR/>Also, just had to make the comment that I was a big sci-fi nerd as a kid, so that piece of Diaz's language is native to me! It's so fun to see something I know very well (sci-fi/fantasy) used to explain things with which I am less familiar (Dominican history, I'm sad to admit).Maureen Kelleherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06919817829347660556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-58383389733035242392009-02-25T16:46:00.000-08:002009-02-25T16:46:00.000-08:00Cynthia, I think this is definitely the kind of bo...Cynthia, I think this is definitely the kind of book that should be used in high schools. I've wondered about the relevance of some of the books that are assigned sometimes. I am so confident that it would engage students. I don't know if it would pass the censors, after all Bless Me Ultima and In the time of the Butterflies have both been banned in the recent past and compared to Oscar Wao the content in those books is g rated. The irony is that I know young people get (mis)educated on violence and sex through peers, tv and music.Irasema Gonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-76645980781126313542009-02-24T11:19:00.000-08:002009-02-24T11:19:00.000-08:00I'm glad somebody mentioned the F@#$ too because i...I'm glad somebody mentioned the F@#$ too because it did pass my mind. I like your logic Nancy!!sonrisa morenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738263903489914099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-41716484807034116492009-02-19T09:21:00.000-08:002009-02-19T09:21:00.000-08:00Wow! Nancy I thought the very same thing f@%* you ...Wow! Nancy I thought the very same thing f@%* you americans. Thanks for adding it to the dialogue!Cynthia Nambohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933057117403823960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-28863507688686668902009-02-18T10:05:00.000-08:002009-02-18T10:05:00.000-08:00Wow! I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was such a...Wow! I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was such a addicting read and I am still trying to figure out somethings like: could the f word come from "fuck you" and could fuku americanus be really as simple as "fuck you americans". Maybe the fuck you was returned to a Dominican and since we all the strength of the return Fuck you, it probably stuck as a damnation..who knows..I am still savoring on that.<BR/><BR/>In regards to the spanish throughout, I absolutely felt giddy..Growing up reading English literature that I had absolutely now background knowledge in, many terms and phrases I did not understand were not defined for me. So why should this? I think it is a powerful message to send that the spanish that is embedded throughout is everyday and should be accepted in American literature. <BR/>Diaz did a wonderful job at educating in his footnotes. Although I am not that crazy about swearing (I am trying to get better), I think it was just GREAT to see his blunt and blatant way of schooling people on the many truths of Central American History, especially US involvement. <BR/>I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Wao's sis. I almost cried because of all the connections I had. Growing up with a strong single mom who has suffered was tough and I now understand her so much. Oscar's mom had to be strong and because of her history probably was not able to understand how to express that love without showing weakness or breaking down. I am still looking back to that secion and reading it again. It broght back many memories and I really would like to delve into the topic of Strong latina moms..moms who never loved the mainstream way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-56524552729771752642009-02-17T16:06:00.000-08:002009-02-17T16:06:00.000-08:00I actually did notice that the Spanish words/terms...I actually did notice that the Spanish words/terms were not italicized and i think the only reason why I noticed is because one of my good friends, who is Caucasion, praised this books as one of her favorites. I was quite surprised that the Spanish words were not footnoted or even explained in the story. I wondered to myself "How was she able to follow?" but I'm sure she looked up a few of the words on the internet and was able to follow the rest without referencing anything after awhile. <BR/>When I write and there are Spanish words/terms in my writing, depending on who my audience is, I do italicize. <BR/>As for the superstitious aspect of our Latino culture, I admit that I tend to give into it at times. Every time I pass a church I find myself giving myself the sign of the cross. MEANWHILE, I'm not even a practicing Catholic. haha! I don't believe in any of it and yet I still give in "just in case". When Junot broke down the meaning of fuku and zafa and explained that you just don't mess around with those words I couldn't help but giggle because I totally understood. <BR/>I love his style of writing. He is unapologetic and just himself. I agree that his writing is truly refreshing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16797889710886057223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-58107620472815818792009-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:002009-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:00Re: Ixchel33's comment.Wikipedia also has an image...Re: Ixchel33's comment.<BR/>Wikipedia also has an image of anthracite--it's a kind of very hard coal--the image is black but shiny. You can see the link here:<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthracite<BR/><BR/>So I don't know, but here's hoping Junot did come up with a romantic way to describe the very dark brown-eyed girl next door.Maureen Kelleherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06919817829347660556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-9445043464068245302009-02-13T08:13:00.000-08:002009-02-13T08:13:00.000-08:00Hi,I just got started, so slow is good for me, plu...Hi,<BR/><BR/>I just got started, so slow is good for me, plus I am a thinker so a digest for a while, comment coming soon...BEST!<BR/><BR/>SusanaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-24898484097024428332009-02-12T17:03:00.000-08:002009-02-12T17:03:00.000-08:00I just gotta say, I totally dig the "nerd" referen...I just gotta say, I totally dig the "nerd" references...especially the ones that refer to Lord of the Rings!! They make Oscar a character I can relate to because he is influenced by American culture but struggling with his Dominican identity ("Is he Dominican enough?") and I think the use of dual languages also plays into this concept. <BR/>While we're on the topic of language, I'm more tripped out by Diaz's straight up vulgarity! Not that I mind...I find it very refreshing that he tells it like it is and I admire this boldness. The language seems more authentic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-35338179388938664512009-02-11T18:38:00.000-08:002009-02-11T18:38:00.000-08:00Thanks for choosing this book, I read it last year...Thanks for choosing this book, I read it last year and needed someone to digest it with. <BR/>When describing the book to a friend I did say the "F" word, but after reading your comments I repeatedly said zafa at least 20 times, just in case (does it still count?)! <BR/>Strange thing is when I spoke to a Dominican friend about the book and mentioned the "F" word without fear, her eyes lit up and said "zafa"!!<BR/>Being a non-Dominican I thought I could use the word, maybe not. what would be the Mexican equivalent of the "F" word? <BR/><BR/>His writing reflects a new language that is a norm for many of us...he wrote the book just for me, sin explicaciónes. RebeccaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-15738979785127804072009-02-11T17:10:00.000-08:002009-02-11T17:10:00.000-08:00how refreshing to be able to discuss my most recen...how refreshing to be able to discuss my most recent obsession! I must confess that i have owned the book since its release and have just recently found the strength to completely be engaged. I love Wao. I find myself unable to turn pages fast enough to find what witty language Diaz is going to use as his next punch line. Reading the introduction alone was so familiar, in a way that i placed myself back in Mexico chitchatting with primas and tias about the phenomenon of Latin American superstition. trying to make it as academic as possible and still secretly worrying about the 'what if...'. so i don't say it! But, I too, like Diaz, write in my best Spanglish and do not italicize. Sometimes I do it out of habit, like when speaking, just weaving the two together because, well, sometime the sentiment is better in Spanish. I also rebel against italics because it's my language and not some foreign exotic words. if anything, sometimes i want to italicize english!canelawomynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-1344517982767245612009-02-11T09:01:00.000-08:002009-02-11T09:01:00.000-08:00I read the book last year and am re-reading and to...I read the book last year and am re-reading and to be honest I didn't pay much attention to the Spanish words 'til you mentioned it. First time I read it i just read as if nothing was strange about it. It just seemed normal to me...after all that is how I speak therefore reading it was normal. <BR/><BR/>As for the F word, well I'm not at all superstitious but I did find it amusing mostly because I think every culture has something like it.sonrisa morenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738263903489914099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-62587646501913863832009-02-11T04:28:00.000-08:002009-02-11T04:28:00.000-08:00I say, no italics for Sterling Brown, no italics f...I say, no italics for Sterling Brown, no italics for Junot Diaz. We're knee-deep in the new American idiom, y'all. Whether or not some folks are ready to accept that, of course, is a whole other story.Rich Villarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07880914119997022819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-31655662785275542302009-02-10T19:43:00.000-08:002009-02-10T19:43:00.000-08:00Thanks for inviting muchachas! I read the book in ...Thanks for inviting muchachas! I read the book in December and remember some of my frustration in knowing that I was missing out on the scifi references and jokes. Just like non-spanish speakers may feel with the nontranslated spanish words. Junot makes no excuse for writing as he thinks and speaks. Yet I loved the footnotes!! As a non-Dominican I appreciated the historical and cultural explanations! It left me yearning to learn more about Dominican history...Junot is quite clever! Let me see if I take the book out of the library again and re-read along with you ladies--now that my little guy (who just turned 3 mos) is sleeping better at night!<BR/>Oh and I do NOT say the word, scared to say it to myself?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-1876507910255222162009-02-09T21:10:00.000-08:002009-02-09T21:10:00.000-08:00Great start, to the book and the book club, thanks...Great start, to the book and the book club, thanks to all who are making it happen. <BR/><BR/>I haven’t said the ‘f’ word out loud since reading the intro, but I keep saying it in my head, over and over. Superstition always gives me pause but really only a pause. I will note when something is #13, but I won’t avoid the number. I will walk around ladders, if its not convenient, I will go under one - noting the whole time what it is Im doing. I will avoid stepping on cracks in the sidewalks, but more to pass the time on a long walk as something to lose my mind in for a while. So saying the F word will now give me pause as well, a super conscientious pause. I’ll question myself, “are you being foolish to use this word?”. I’ll think of African slaves screaming this curse word from the depths of their pain. I'll wonder about “The Nightmare Door’. And then I will cross myself and say a little prayer. This will be my life the next while with the f word. <BR/><BR/>More about the other questions later…Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02521769490847759851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-53888518348428479122009-02-08T07:03:00.000-08:002009-02-08T07:03:00.000-08:00First of all, thanks to you ladies for doing this,...First of all, thanks to you ladies for doing this, I've been craving this type of sharing about literature and Cindy, thanks for inviting me in. <BR/><BR/>That intro, wow! I had just taught my students the craft of writing good beginnings to draw the reader into their stories, and whamo, I read his powerful words. Unfortunately, I couldn't use this author as an example for the kiddies, they're only 7.<BR/><BR/>Seamless is a good word, I hadn't even noticed that there were words in Spanish, I didn't bat an eye when I read them. I'm trying to remember if my other favorite Latino/a authors italicize. Interestingly, he does italicize other words quite a bit. <BR/><BR/>On an added note: I also thought I was saved when he referred to Ana's eyes as "beautiful Caribbean-girl eyes, pure anthracite." I thought, is this it? Did Junot finally find the most romantic way to describe the brown eyed girl next door? Blue eyes are romantically saphire, violet, deep as the ocean, bright as the sky. Very dark eyes are ebony, black as the night sky. I think green eyed Latinas have it the best, mesmerizing, cat eyes, emeralds. So I googled/image anthracite, it is a silver/grey sparkly stone. (sigh) So now I am in search of the romantic literary referral to the brown eyed girl. I don't know if I just jumped ahead. Do we stick to the general idea of the question at hand?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-21771422854251896982009-02-05T19:59:00.000-08:002009-02-05T19:59:00.000-08:00It is a breathe of fresh air to read Wao. Often I...It is a breathe of fresh air to read Wao. Often I find that we speak in English and Spanish mixed in with a Chicago 80's Twang! Okay so "I" do this...maybe not "we". There is an ease reading (in Spanish)about Wao's life. He is including me in the conversation because his style is similar to my rhythm of communicating. I didn't even notice that the words in Spanish were not italicized until you posted the question! Interesting! There are times the antidotes help me so much. Especially around the comic book details. B/c I couldn't afford to buy them there are some concepts I miss. But enjoy once I read the notes. Irasema, you really captured our exchange on the Dominican "F" Word! Even though I say in my head that there is no such thing as superstition...just in case..SAFA!!!Cynthia Nambohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933057117403823960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-8173644820152841962009-02-05T19:38:00.000-08:002009-02-05T19:38:00.000-08:00If I did say the Dominican f-word, I bet I wouldn'...If I did say the Dominican f-word, I bet I wouldn't pronounce it right. I think I can pronouce zafa OK, though.<BR/><BR/>I love that Junot Diaz just puts in the Spanish and lets you deal with it. As someone who's not a native Spanish speaker and expects to spend the rest of her life trying to master it without succeeding (like the asymptote back in math class, that line that always gets closer and closer but never really gets there), it's a little victory every time I can read straight through those sentences and know all the words and hear what they might sound like based on what I hear on the block around my house.Maureen Kelleherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06919817829347660556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-36004035666165707362009-02-02T10:01:00.000-08:002009-02-02T10:01:00.000-08:00Nino, I am glad to hear that your event was a succ...Nino, I am glad to hear that your event was a success. I am so sorry I missed it. *kicks self* I do want to continue reading the story of The Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man. So, you will have to let us know how to find copies of your comic.<BR/><BR/>Jessica, thanks for the kind words about Tianguis. I miss my knitting lessons but I'm sure we will get together soon--I can't wait to see what you are working on. And thanks for the Table Con feedback, I'm sure Nino appreciates it. :)Irasema Gonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15789653612279959116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-26325552210892111992009-02-01T13:09:00.000-08:002009-02-01T13:09:00.000-08:00I went to Third Coast Comics for the Table Con eve...I went to Third Coast Comics for the Table Con event. My time there was short, because of other plans I had made, but here are the couple of things I got from my 20min there.<BR/> <BR/>One - Super friendly people. Im pretty shy at new places, and both Terry, the store owner, and Nino, the event organizer, made me feel right at home, I could get really into comic books just by talking with them for a bit.<BR/> <BR/>Two – the thought of a super hero born of Laundry soap really attracted me. Im drawn to things that take the domesticated life and make it cool. So now I have the first two episodes of The Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man for my next trip to the lavanderia, I haven’t been this excited about doing laundry in quite some time, and Bubbleland will hopefully never be the same for me again. Once I finish Laundry Detergent Man #2 it may be difficult finding Nino’s other episodes, but he did tell me there is a store on Washington in the Loop East of Wabash that carries some of his comics. <BR/><BR/>Three - I learned comic books can be a very collaborative effort different illustrators, story writers, I didn't know that, I’d always seen it as a one person show, which I suppose sometimes it is, but the collaborative process seems inviting and full of potential for a group of folks. <BR/><BR/>Finally, There were other comic book creators there which unfortunately I wasn’t able to talk to. Amazingly there was a public Q and A going on with an ex Marvel comics editor via a speaker phone on a cell!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02521769490847759851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314485331791704565.post-63233730703087221992009-01-31T22:35:00.000-08:002009-01-31T22:35:00.000-08:00Hi. This is Jose' " Nino" Mesarina. The creator of...Hi. This is Jose' " Nino" Mesarina. The creator of the Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man, and creator of Table-con. I want to thank you if you showed up to buy my comic(s). I am sorry if you did show up and I didn't have a chance to speak to you more. Some nice young ladies did come in and mention " tianguis" at that very moment I had to take a call because one of the guest speakers, via speaker phone was scheduled to speak . I appologise if I wasn't able to speak to you more at length. Well, thanks alot for the support. I will be in touch. <BR/><BR/>Nino.Nino.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14926201963513435275noreply@blogger.com