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Almost a Woman
"Not only for readers who share [Santiago's] experiences but for North Americans who seek to understand what it means to be the other."-- The Boston Globe
In her new memoir, the acclaimed author of When I Was Puerto Rican continues the riveting chronicle of her emergence from the barrios of Brooklyn to the theaters of Manhattan.
"Negi," as Santiago's family affectionately calls her, leaves rural Macún in 1961 to live in a three-room tenement apartment with seven young siblings, an inquisitive grandmother, and a strict mother who won't allow her to date. At thirteen, Negi yearns for her own bed, privacy, and a life with her father, who remains in Puerto Rico. Translating for Mami at the welfare office in the morning, starring as Cleopatra at New York's prestigious Performing Arts High School in the afternoons, and dancing salsa all night, she yearns to find balance between being American and being Puerto Rican. When Negi defies her mother by going on a series of hilarious dates, she finds that independence brings its own set of challenges.
At once a universally poignant coming-of-age tale and a brave and heartfelt immigrant's story, Almost a Woman is Santiago's triumphant journey into womanhood.
"A universal tale familiar to thousands of immigrants to this country, but made special by Santiago's simplicity and honesty."
-- The Miami Herald
"A courageous memoir. . . . One witnesses. . .the blessings, contradictions and restraints of Puerto Rican culture."
-- The Washington Post Book World
In her new memoir, the acclaimed author of When I Was Puerto Rican continues the riveting chronicle of her emergence from the barrios of Brooklyn to the theaters of Manhattan.
"Negi," as Santiago's family affectionately calls her, leaves rural Macún in 1961 to live in a three-room tenement apartment with seven young siblings, an inquisitive grandmother, and a strict mother who won't allow her to date. At thirteen, Negi yearns for her own bed, privacy, and a life with her father, who remains in Puerto Rico. Translating for Mami at the welfare office in the morning, starring as Cleopatra at New York's prestigious Performing Arts High School in the afternoons, and dancing salsa all night, she yearns to find balance between being American and being Puerto Rican. When Negi defies her mother by going on a series of hilarious dates, she finds that independence brings its own set of challenges.
At once a universally poignant coming-of-age tale and a brave and heartfelt immigrant's story, Almost a Woman is Santiago's triumphant journey into womanhood.
"A universal tale familiar to thousands of immigrants to this country, but made special by Santiago's simplicity and honesty."
-- The Miami Herald
"A courageous memoir. . . . One witnesses. . .the blessings, contradictions and restraints of Puerto Rican culture."
-- The Washington Post Book World
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 1998
104 people are currently reading
3503 people want to read
About the author
Esmeralda Santiago
28 books928 followersEsmeralda Santiago (born 1948 in San Juan, Puerto Rico). Is a renowned Puerto Rican author In 1961, she came to the United States when she was thirteen years old, the eldest in a family that would eventually include eleven children. Ms. Santiago attended New York City's Performing Arts High School, where she majored in drama and dance. After eight years of part-time study at community colleges, she transferred to Harvard University with a full scholarship. She studied film production and graduated in 1976 magna cum laude. Shortly after graduation, she and her husband, Frank Cantor, founded CANTOMEDIA, a film and media production company, which has won numerous awards for excellence in documentary filmmaking.
Her writing career evolved from her work as a producer/writer of documentary and educational films. Her essays and opinion pieces have appeared in national newspapers including the New York Times and the Boston Globe, and on mass market magazines like House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, and Good Housekeeping.
Her writing career evolved from her work as a producer/writer of documentary and educational films. Her essays and opinion pieces have appeared in national newspapers including the New York Times and the Boston Globe, and on mass market magazines like House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, and Good Housekeeping.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
November 20, 2024
In my secret life I wasn't Puerto Rican. I wasn't American. I wasn't anything. I spoke every language in the world, so I was never confused about what people said and could be understood by everyone. My skin was no particular color, so I didn't stand as black, white, or brown. (PG 84)
I really enjoyed this coming-of-age, coming-to-America book. I could relate so much to Esmeralda and the things she felt trying to fit into two worlds and never fitting in. I was too Mexican for the whites and too White for the Mexicans. I taught myself to speak better without an accent and was made fun of by my own family members, which got me ready for the real world. I still get "There's Mexicans that look like you?" Lol....
I like how the story flowed and wish there was another book to continue her into her twenties. Santiago's writing is like she's confiding in a friend. I savored the words and her thoughts, her adventures and her family life. I think learning about her huge family was the most interesting to me. The way she described them made me feel like I was part of her club.
I would highly recommend this.
I really enjoyed this coming-of-age, coming-to-America book. I could relate so much to Esmeralda and the things she felt trying to fit into two worlds and never fitting in. I was too Mexican for the whites and too White for the Mexicans. I taught myself to speak better without an accent and was made fun of by my own family members, which got me ready for the real world. I still get "There's Mexicans that look like you?" Lol....
I like how the story flowed and wish there was another book to continue her into her twenties. Santiago's writing is like she's confiding in a friend. I savored the words and her thoughts, her adventures and her family life. I think learning about her huge family was the most interesting to me. The way she described them made me feel like I was part of her club.
I would highly recommend this.
February 3, 2017
Santiago describes the pull of family, of school, career, and lovers. She has to make a decision. I understand her decision which pull she will respond to. I hope I would make the same decision.
Santiago describes the label she uses to refer to herself, "Puerto Rican", "that no longer works after she has been in US for awhile. She doesn't seem to be comfortable with "hispanic" either. She is torn between cultures and social classes (education, acting, and dancing) pull at her. She will have to find her own way. Santiago wrote this book to describe her journey toward self-definition. There are no easy labels, definitions.
Santiago describes the label she uses to refer to herself, "Puerto Rican", "that no longer works after she has been in US for awhile. She doesn't seem to be comfortable with "hispanic" either. She is torn between cultures and social classes (education, acting, and dancing) pull at her. She will have to find her own way. Santiago wrote this book to describe her journey toward self-definition. There are no easy labels, definitions.
February 17, 2012
I must admit, I was not looking forward to reading this for my book club. Another coming of age memoir from a disadvantaged urban kid done good? However, the easy tone and family vignettes drew me in, and I found Negi's experiences to be universal. Anyone who has felt different, been bullied, or felt torn between family values or traditions and popular culture or individual sensibilities will find a kindred spirit in this book.
We had a decent discussion about how family and parental relationships shape children, in addition to the more obvious topics of Americanization, poverty, the unfortunate hierarchy of skin color that is present in all ethnicities, and growing up as an immigrant in an urban environment.
We had a decent discussion about how family and parental relationships shape children, in addition to the more obvious topics of Americanization, poverty, the unfortunate hierarchy of skin color that is present in all ethnicities, and growing up as an immigrant in an urban environment.
November 10, 2020
I didn´t think that I was going to read/finish the book which I´m surprised because reading isn´t my thing. It means that I enjoyed reading it and that I liked it. It´s a good book :)
February 24, 2012
In this book, Esmerelda picks up where she left off in "When I was Puerto Rican". It's about her teen years in NYC. Whilst I enjoyed more, learning about her childhood in Puerto Rico, I still really enjoyed this memoir as well. Esmerelda Santiago is a very readable author, her descriptions fun and interesting, alive. The only thing I didn't particularly like about this book was how it ended so abruptly. I guess, though, that it must end somewhere, and it makes sense where she leaves off, the point in her life where this book ends. If she ever decides to write another book, picking up where she left off in this book, I will definitely read it!
April 3, 2007
I went into this book thinking that it would talk a little about things I understood like acting and dancing and that the rest of her life would go right over my head.
However, I found a very different story waiting inside. Santiago's story had elements of every young persons life who's ever been different somehow, or whose parent(s) were overprotective. I think that through her relationships with her family, friends and boyfriends she sends a positive message to all young women.
However, I found a very different story waiting inside. Santiago's story had elements of every young persons life who's ever been different somehow, or whose parent(s) were overprotective. I think that through her relationships with her family, friends and boyfriends she sends a positive message to all young women.
January 21, 2019
Acabé el libro encantada, fascinada, gritando AMIGA DATE CUENTA y desesperada por encontrar la tercera parte.
https://www.neapoulain.com/2019/01/al...
Almost a Woman (Casi una mujer, casi señorita) es la segunda parte de las memorias de Esmeralda Santiago. Supongo que puede ser leída sin haber leído antes la primera parte, pero recomiendo que empiecen por When I Was Puerto Rican, porque es ahí donde se presenta, donde presenta a su familia y donde podemos ver los cimientos de lo que más tarde será está obra. Almost a Woman empieza cuando Esmeralda Santiago llega a Nueva York con su madre y parte de sus hermanos (es de una familia numerosa, su madre ya tenía siete hijos al llegar a Nueva York y en Nueva York tendría varios más) y nos muestra su vida en Brooklyn, las dificultades que pasó su familia y cómo empezó a explorar su adolescencia. Mientras que When I Was Puerto Rican es una historia de identidad y familiar, Amost a Woman es un coming-of-age que además trata el tema de la inmigración. Las voces son las mismas, pero los temas cambian radicalmente. Es un libro hermoso y, sobre todo, honesto a morir. Esmeralda Santiago va contando su historia, su verdad, tal y como la recuerda de la manera más honesta que puede.
Almost a Woman es un recorrido por casi diez años de su vida. Desde sus comienzos en una secundaria estadounidense hasta el momento en el que dejó la casa de su madre. Te lo advierte desde el principio. De algún modo, sabes en qué acaba este libro (que es sólo la segunda parte de una trilogía de memorias, siendo la tercera The Turkish Lover) pero no sabes cómo va a llegar ahí. Entonces, empieza la historia. Esmeralda Santiago vivió en incontables departamentos y casas de Brooklyn. Su familia tuvo que recurrir a la ayuda del gobierno incontables veces, ella se hizo un espacio en su escuela, en su secundaria y en su preparatoria y se fue haciendo un espacio en el mundo. En este libro, habla mucho de su madre (personaje que en este libro se merece una mención honorífica, su madre es una mujer que admiro en todo sentido, que vive en un país donde no entiende el idioma que se habla, que hace hasta lo impensable por sacar adelante a sus hijos de un padre que decidió abortarlos y largarse, que trabaja, que lucha por entender a sus hijas, aunque vivan en otro mundo y vean la vida de diferente manera), algo de sus hermanos, de su educación y de los hombres. De cómo descubrió el amor. De como, finalmente, se volvió una señorita (como constantemente le recuerda su madre).
Al principio, da la impresión de que ella misma se siente una forastera en su propia vida. Orbita como satélite alrededor de los demás. Nos cuenta sus historias y, en los primeros capítulos, apenas si se hace un tiempo para ella misma. Me gustó ese contraste con el final del libro, donde apenas si habla de los demás para enfocarse en sí misma porque la misma narración da pistas de la evolución y de los cambios de Esmeralda Santiago. La admiro mucho. Me gusta la manera en que cuenta su historia. No se hace juicios (no más de los necesarios) sino que lo pone todo sobre el papel y se lo entrega a los lectores. Yo puedo pensar mil veces "amiga, date cuenta" al estar leyendo, pero creo que, al escribir eso, ella ya se dio cuenta. Por eso lo escribió.
Almost A Woman es el coming-of-age que no sabía que necesitaba y que leí. Lo metí de pura suerte en mi lista de libros del maratón #GuadalupeReinas2018 porque no tenía ni idea de qué iba a leer y me acordé que ahí lo tenía, pudriéndose en mi biblioteca de calibre y que ya había leído la parte anterior. Lo leí de pura suerte. El azar me lo puso enfrente. Y siempre me ha parecido curioso como la vida te va poniendo los libros enfrente.
Entre sus páginas, la autora habla de su entrenamiento como actriz y, más tarde, como bailarina india clásica. Habla de un par de obras para niños en los que representó papeles del folclore indio y, estoy segura de que una de las que describe es el Ramayana y que ella interpretó a la gran Sita. Secuestrada por Ravana y rescatada por un mono. Sounds about right. (El Ramayana es la única cosa que he leído de literatura clásica hindú y este es el momento en el que les confieso que, la verdad, Ram no se merecía a Sita, era mucha mujer para él). Me resonó mucho toda la historia y me gustó. Lamentablemente, el final queda abierto porque así es la vida y así son las memorias. No hay finales tal cual. Así que ahora estoy desesperada por conseguir The Turkish Lover para seguir averiguando más cosas de esta gran escritora que hoy no dudo en recomendarles.
Fue parte de mi maratón #GuadalupeReinas2018 (que ya acabó hace varios días, el día del aniversario de Libros b4 Tipos) y la verdad es que me alegro de haberlo leído. Para ustedes también super recomendado.
https://www.neapoulain.com/2019/01/al...
Almost a Woman (Casi una mujer, casi señorita) es la segunda parte de las memorias de Esmeralda Santiago. Supongo que puede ser leída sin haber leído antes la primera parte, pero recomiendo que empiecen por When I Was Puerto Rican, porque es ahí donde se presenta, donde presenta a su familia y donde podemos ver los cimientos de lo que más tarde será está obra. Almost a Woman empieza cuando Esmeralda Santiago llega a Nueva York con su madre y parte de sus hermanos (es de una familia numerosa, su madre ya tenía siete hijos al llegar a Nueva York y en Nueva York tendría varios más) y nos muestra su vida en Brooklyn, las dificultades que pasó su familia y cómo empezó a explorar su adolescencia. Mientras que When I Was Puerto Rican es una historia de identidad y familiar, Amost a Woman es un coming-of-age que además trata el tema de la inmigración. Las voces son las mismas, pero los temas cambian radicalmente. Es un libro hermoso y, sobre todo, honesto a morir. Esmeralda Santiago va contando su historia, su verdad, tal y como la recuerda de la manera más honesta que puede.
Almost a Woman es un recorrido por casi diez años de su vida. Desde sus comienzos en una secundaria estadounidense hasta el momento en el que dejó la casa de su madre. Te lo advierte desde el principio. De algún modo, sabes en qué acaba este libro (que es sólo la segunda parte de una trilogía de memorias, siendo la tercera The Turkish Lover) pero no sabes cómo va a llegar ahí. Entonces, empieza la historia. Esmeralda Santiago vivió en incontables departamentos y casas de Brooklyn. Su familia tuvo que recurrir a la ayuda del gobierno incontables veces, ella se hizo un espacio en su escuela, en su secundaria y en su preparatoria y se fue haciendo un espacio en el mundo. En este libro, habla mucho de su madre (personaje que en este libro se merece una mención honorífica, su madre es una mujer que admiro en todo sentido, que vive en un país donde no entiende el idioma que se habla, que hace hasta lo impensable por sacar adelante a sus hijos de un padre que decidió abortarlos y largarse, que trabaja, que lucha por entender a sus hijas, aunque vivan en otro mundo y vean la vida de diferente manera), algo de sus hermanos, de su educación y de los hombres. De cómo descubrió el amor. De como, finalmente, se volvió una señorita (como constantemente le recuerda su madre).
Al principio, da la impresión de que ella misma se siente una forastera en su propia vida. Orbita como satélite alrededor de los demás. Nos cuenta sus historias y, en los primeros capítulos, apenas si se hace un tiempo para ella misma. Me gustó ese contraste con el final del libro, donde apenas si habla de los demás para enfocarse en sí misma porque la misma narración da pistas de la evolución y de los cambios de Esmeralda Santiago. La admiro mucho. Me gusta la manera en que cuenta su historia. No se hace juicios (no más de los necesarios) sino que lo pone todo sobre el papel y se lo entrega a los lectores. Yo puedo pensar mil veces "amiga, date cuenta" al estar leyendo, pero creo que, al escribir eso, ella ya se dio cuenta. Por eso lo escribió.
Almost A Woman es el coming-of-age que no sabía que necesitaba y que leí. Lo metí de pura suerte en mi lista de libros del maratón #GuadalupeReinas2018 porque no tenía ni idea de qué iba a leer y me acordé que ahí lo tenía, pudriéndose en mi biblioteca de calibre y que ya había leído la parte anterior. Lo leí de pura suerte. El azar me lo puso enfrente. Y siempre me ha parecido curioso como la vida te va poniendo los libros enfrente.
Entre sus páginas, la autora habla de su entrenamiento como actriz y, más tarde, como bailarina india clásica. Habla de un par de obras para niños en los que representó papeles del folclore indio y, estoy segura de que una de las que describe es el Ramayana y que ella interpretó a la gran Sita. Secuestrada por Ravana y rescatada por un mono. Sounds about right. (El Ramayana es la única cosa que he leído de literatura clásica hindú y este es el momento en el que les confieso que, la verdad, Ram no se merecía a Sita, era mucha mujer para él). Me resonó mucho toda la historia y me gustó. Lamentablemente, el final queda abierto porque así es la vida y así son las memorias. No hay finales tal cual. Así que ahora estoy desesperada por conseguir The Turkish Lover para seguir averiguando más cosas de esta gran escritora que hoy no dudo en recomendarles.
Fue parte de mi maratón #GuadalupeReinas2018 (que ya acabó hace varios días, el día del aniversario de Libros b4 Tipos) y la verdad es que me alegro de haberlo leído. Para ustedes también super recomendado.
September 26, 2009
Wow.. I thought I had a strict upbringing.. Esmeralda's takes the cake. This memoir picks up where "When I Was Puerto Rican" stops (well, the first chapter or 2 basically repeats the end of the first book for those that did not read it) and covers her teenage years. She had a mother that bore eleven children and never married, but was apparently so concerned that her daughter not follow her example, she did not let Esmeralda date and kept her on a very short leash. Esmeralda finds ways around it tho like any spunky rebellious teenager. I found parts of it engrossing. I felt embarassed with her during the retelling of her Mami showing up at a party simply because she forgot to call. However, I did not find this one as humorous as "When I Was Puerto Rican". I also do not care to read an entire novel about the Turkish guy she meets at the end, which the next novel covers. Basically what I am trying to say, is that unlike "When I Was Puerto Rican," this memoir, although good, does not make me want to keep reading. However, I am going to read the next one just to find out if Esmeralda ever asked her mother "Mami, why do you not use birth control?" I am dying for the answer at this point.
February 5, 2012
Since I first happened upon this book and this author in Spanish, I was actually surprised to discover this book was written in English first and then translated into Spanish. Regardless, I thought this was a really interesting and pretty compelling story of a first-generation "immigrant" (since she's Puerto Rican, she's not necessarily coming from a different country, technically, but she certainly shares many of the experiences that other immigrants would), and especially as a child adjusting to life in the US and experiencing her culture here.
The book was mostly told in a series of vignettes strung together, which I thought worked well. The first chapters helped me to better understand what some of my students and their families must be going through and feeling - the child forced to act as translator for the parent even as their English skills are still developing, the marvel of discovering that one is 'Hispanic' instead of Puerto Rican, and of finding that she is too dark to be 'white', but too white to be 'black'. She definitely merits having her story told, as it's pretty incredible - a Latina who worked hard in school to get into Performing Arts High School in NYC, became an actress and started taking Indian dance classes, and has a host of adventures with acting, dancing, and relationships. I was surprised at what an international crew of people she became friends with, even in the 60s, but I guess even then, NYC was very much a diverse place.
I think the things that most stick with me are her descriptions of her mother and her relationship with her, negotiating between Puerto Rican culture/traditional expectations vs. "American" culture witnessed via the lens of an "outsider," the media, and Archie comics. The descriptions of her mother are much more realistic than sentimental, and very much bring out the contradictions of her mother not letting her date and wanting her to have a wedding in the church while her mother lives with a few different men during the course of the novel and has children with them. I was also very surprised by her sheer audacity and willingness to just go off and do whatever. I don't know if it's a case of "simpler times," but it seemed like, on numerous occasions, she was invited out to do things by strangers and went without hesitation, or told of an audition by someone on the street in such and such building, and went without thinking twice. I kept thinking she was going to get jumped or killed, but somehow most things worked out okay... I think the most surreal story is that of
The creepiest part of the book almost goes to
Anyway, a memorable and truly interesting book, and an interesting glimpse into race, gender, immigration, and class barriers in 1960s New York, even though that's not what the novel focuses on.
***EDIT: Having seen the title of Santiago's follow-up book, The Turkish Lover, I retract my earlier statement about her making the right choice at the end of the book; I had assumed that she But no! No! No! This is the definition of a "reach-into-the-book-and-shake-the-protagonist" moment. It's been at least three years since I've read this book, and I still feel so strongly about this that I can actually feel my pulse rate rising. If I were a vein-popping-out-of-my-forehead person, it would be popping out with a vengeance. My only consolation is that reviews of "The Turkish Lover" are hasty to reassure the reader (almost from the very first sentence) that she leaves that megalomaniac.
The book was mostly told in a series of vignettes strung together, which I thought worked well. The first chapters helped me to better understand what some of my students and their families must be going through and feeling - the child forced to act as translator for the parent even as their English skills are still developing, the marvel of discovering that one is 'Hispanic' instead of Puerto Rican, and of finding that she is too dark to be 'white', but too white to be 'black'. She definitely merits having her story told, as it's pretty incredible - a Latina who worked hard in school to get into Performing Arts High School in NYC, became an actress and started taking Indian dance classes, and has a host of adventures with acting, dancing, and relationships. I was surprised at what an international crew of people she became friends with, even in the 60s, but I guess even then, NYC was very much a diverse place.
I think the things that most stick with me are her descriptions of her mother and her relationship with her, negotiating between Puerto Rican culture/traditional expectations vs. "American" culture witnessed via the lens of an "outsider," the media, and Archie comics. The descriptions of her mother are much more realistic than sentimental, and very much bring out the contradictions of her mother not letting her date and wanting her to have a wedding in the church while her mother lives with a few different men during the course of the novel and has children with them. I was also very surprised by her sheer audacity and willingness to just go off and do whatever. I don't know if it's a case of "simpler times," but it seemed like, on numerous occasions, she was invited out to do things by strangers and went without hesitation, or told of an audition by someone on the street in such and such building, and went without thinking twice. I kept thinking she was going to get jumped or killed, but somehow most things worked out okay... I think the most surreal story is that of
The creepiest part of the book almost goes to
Anyway, a memorable and truly interesting book, and an interesting glimpse into race, gender, immigration, and class barriers in 1960s New York, even though that's not what the novel focuses on.
***EDIT: Having seen the title of Santiago's follow-up book, The Turkish Lover, I retract my earlier statement about her making the right choice at the end of the book; I had assumed that she But no! No! No! This is the definition of a "reach-into-the-book-and-shake-the-protagonist" moment. It's been at least three years since I've read this book, and I still feel so strongly about this that I can actually feel my pulse rate rising. If I were a vein-popping-out-of-my-forehead person, it would be popping out with a vengeance. My only consolation is that reviews of "The Turkish Lover" are hasty to reassure the reader (almost from the very first sentence) that she leaves that megalomaniac.
November 5, 2008
This was a very good book that really went into the life experiences of Esmeralda Santiago. Before I read Almost A Woman I read another book by Santiago, When I Was Puerto Rican. I Loved When I was Puerto Rican and wanted to read Almost a Woman because of that. Although I found a lot of overlap between the two books, they are still amazing texts. Almost a Woman is a very relateable text that goes through Santiago's struggle with maintaing her Puerto Rican culture while trying to assimilate and become a successful American. Santiago must deal with the differences between Puerto Rico and New York City. It is a really enjoyable book to read because Santiago does in fact become successful due to her intense drive. It is interesting to read about all of the people Santiago encountered that both were in similar situations and ha no idea where she was coming from. Overall this is a great book that I would recommend to anyone interested in reading about a problem that is very common in NYC, assimilation without losing where you come from and who you are.
February 19, 2017
I liked this. I'm giving it fewer stars than I gave her first memoir, When I Was Puerto Rican, though because I was a bit less interested in this one than the other. There was a point when it seemed this one was dragging on with too many recollections of all her boyfriends and dating experiences. Her family also really receded in this one, in the last quarter of the book. Part of this was necessary for the storytelling I guess because of Esmeralda growing older and preparing herself to become independent or breaking away from her mother, but at times it seemed like her family and home life became an afterthought, not just in how her life played out but in the storytelling itself. It made the ending less poignant than it could've been. I will likely read her third memoir, The Turkish Lover, which picks up where this one leaves off, but I feel less compelled to read than I did this one after reading When I Was Puerto Rican.
Loved all her memories of theater life in NYC in the 60s.
Loved all her memories of theater life in NYC in the 60s.
August 15, 2010
What a lovely book. Santiago shares her feelings, fears, and fantasies, growing up as a young Puerto Rican girl. She arrives in New York at the age of thirteen. That's a crucial time in a girl's life. Her experiences within her large family are recounted lovingly, with humor and typical teen-aged disdain. Her experiences with men are recounted honestly, without any sugar-coating, I believe. This was a fast read for me. I was engaged in the story from beginning to end and see this as a true, coming-of-age story from the 60's.
April 23, 2009
apr 15: started this book on my way home from a business trip. i hadn't had much sleep and wasn't sure that i'd make any headway, but it is wonderful! the story - her personal life - is fascinating and her style is light and easy to read. i also am an immigrant to this country and it is very interesting to read the experience of another and compare it to mine. i ended up not sleeping for most of the flights! will probably finish it this weekend.
apr 22: ok so I had to wait until another trip to be able to finish it, but it was good. the ending was a bit abrupt but I understand there are more books to follow. I loved her fight and determination, and I understood her inability to leave her family. It's so interesting that she met so many foreigners as potential love interests. I also liked how she admitted there was some 'daddy complex' stuff I'm her relationship with Ulvi, but she enjoyed the relationship anyway. I smiled when she described telling everybody and relating everything to Puerto Rico. I know several Trinidadians who are the same way. It was a well-written, honest book and I can see why, as she said in her remarks at the end, that some of her family had issues with her writing it.
apr 22: ok so I had to wait until another trip to be able to finish it, but it was good. the ending was a bit abrupt but I understand there are more books to follow. I loved her fight and determination, and I understood her inability to leave her family. It's so interesting that she met so many foreigners as potential love interests. I also liked how she admitted there was some 'daddy complex' stuff I'm her relationship with Ulvi, but she enjoyed the relationship anyway. I smiled when she described telling everybody and relating everything to Puerto Rico. I know several Trinidadians who are the same way. It was a well-written, honest book and I can see why, as she said in her remarks at the end, that some of her family had issues with her writing it.
July 18, 2010
This book is about a girl named Esmeralda (aka Negi) who has moved from Puerto Rico all the way to Brooklyn. Throughout her life she moves from one house to another, in search for more room where her growing family can live. Her mother didn't work for some time and she needed Child support (when the government gives you money for food, water, shelter). When she went to school, she didn't know english. As she went to High School, her english grew and grew. When she went to the Performing Arts school, she had a career, a dancer. When she was out of High School, she went to College. During those years, she was looking for someone to love, someone to mary although, it doesn't go well at first, but at the end it starts to be perfect.
This book made me think that anyone can accomplish something, as long as they try. Negi didn't know how to speak english in the beggining, but in the end, she was able to. It's like me, spanish was my first language and i had a hard time learning it (i was about 5) at first but now i can speak it well. I thought this was a great book to read. Something that I'm wondering about the book is what happened to Ulvi in the end. It was a weird ending, just wanting to know what she chose. Great book overall!
This book made me think that anyone can accomplish something, as long as they try. Negi didn't know how to speak english in the beggining, but in the end, she was able to. It's like me, spanish was my first language and i had a hard time learning it (i was about 5) at first but now i can speak it well. I thought this was a great book to read. Something that I'm wondering about the book is what happened to Ulvi in the end. It was a weird ending, just wanting to know what she chose. Great book overall!
November 9, 2012
11/2012: I LOVE how this author writes! She writes in such a swift way that the story moves right along but you don't feel as if anything is skipped or like anything is missing. It's like writing streamlined and yet with depth. She has an interesting life story but not so strange or different that you feel like you couldn't relate to some of her reactions or emotions. I really enjoyed this book and may read some fiction she wrote also.
Fall 2012: This author is so great. I've only read the first few pages and I'm already re-impressed with the way she writes.
Fall 2012: This author is so great. I've only read the first few pages and I'm already re-impressed with the way she writes.
September 15, 2010
I liked this book alot. It showed how a poor girl that barely had anything in life succeeded at the end. It also explained the hardships that she went through trying to adjust to life in the US. Also i liked this book because I was able to connect to it alot. I liked the book mostly because the girl Esmeralda was new to a country, had to adjust, face difficulties and never gave up on anything even when no one wanted to accept her to be an actor or be a part of a play.
November 29, 2007
Santiago does a wonderful job in retelling the story of herself as a young girl coming to age. Her memoire is blunt, funny, and even sad at times. Her voice is that of a friend reminiscing her childhood. Her honesty is refreshing and her style very entertaining. This was a wonderful sequel to her memoire, When I was Puerto Rican.
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July 4, 2016I loved the contrast between her Puerto Rican upbringing (with 11 siblings and a strict but unmarried mother) and her New York City/School of the Arts adolescent journey. She really helped me *feel* the richness and conflicts of her immigrant life.
April 22, 2023
[I listened to the Spanish version of this book, read by the author]
There’s something special about listening to an author read a memoir: I feel like the author is peeling back layers and letting me into her life. I’m always amazed when I read/listen to a memoir too—how do people remember this much detail about their lives?!
I liked the first half of this book MUCH more than I did the second half. And I think the first half set a different expectation/life path than I thought the author would go down. The memoir ends abruptly, but I’m glad it ended where it did because SPOILER ALERT, apparently the author spent 7 years of her life in a toxic relationship with her “Turkish lover.”
It’s hard to critique someone’s life path and that’s really my complaint with the book, not the prose, not the descriptions or flow of the story. Instead, I liked the first half of the book because we were focused on Negi and her family, while in her adolescence chapters we were focused on Negi and her foreign lovers. I kept wanting to go back to Negi, but I guess these encounters helped to define her?
Still, although I was frustrated by some of the choices—what 19 year old gets engaged to a man that she’s met only three hours before just because she can’t “escape” AND let’s a whole wedding get planned as a result!—I still enjoyed the journey.
There’s something special about listening to an author read a memoir: I feel like the author is peeling back layers and letting me into her life. I’m always amazed when I read/listen to a memoir too—how do people remember this much detail about their lives?!
I liked the first half of this book MUCH more than I did the second half. And I think the first half set a different expectation/life path than I thought the author would go down. The memoir ends abruptly, but I’m glad it ended where it did because SPOILER ALERT, apparently the author spent 7 years of her life in a toxic relationship with her “Turkish lover.”
It’s hard to critique someone’s life path and that’s really my complaint with the book, not the prose, not the descriptions or flow of the story. Instead, I liked the first half of the book because we were focused on Negi and her family, while in her adolescence chapters we were focused on Negi and her foreign lovers. I kept wanting to go back to Negi, but I guess these encounters helped to define her?
Still, although I was frustrated by some of the choices—what 19 year old gets engaged to a man that she’s met only three hours before just because she can’t “escape” AND let’s a whole wedding get planned as a result!—I still enjoyed the journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2020
Almost A Woman is an interesting book with a great plot. I like how I can relate to things she experiences because I live in New York. The story is easy to read but it is very slow paced and has some mature topics. The fact that she grinded on boys to get them aroused just to leave was a little strange and an uncomfortable thing to read. Although I understood the text each page took very long to read which would be fine if I was a slow reader but I am a fast reader. It took me over 40 minutes to read 20 pages which was a little much considering that other lengthy books take less. I’d recommend this book to patient people who are open to many opinions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2020
The first few chapters went fairly slowly. I found that the first couple of chapters were hard to read because they weren't too intriguing. Some sections I think went too in depth and made me loose interest. However as the book went on, it became more interesting to read about Esmerelda's relation ship with her mother and the rest of her family. She talks about being the favorite child and the oldest. Although I can't relate to being the oldest, it was still captivating to read about her family hardships. I would recommend this book to people who don't mind slow books and find interest in relationship.
January 6, 2020
I had to read “Almost a Woman” for school and I honestly did not have high hopes because it is a memoir, but this book completely changed my perspective on this genre. The story has something for everyone, whether you’re an immigrant, have been bullied, have wanted to try something new, or just felt like an outsider. The book is beautifully well-written, captivating, exciting and moving. I highly recommend this book to all ages and backgrounds.
January 6, 2020
Santiago's works flawlessly depict the very common woes of immigrants and their children. Family is the one thing that is constant in this story of womanhood, through trauma and success, becoming the origin of the storyteller inside herself. Torn between several personas and wanting to own their identity, Esmeralda tells tales of her childhood and many others by proxy, as she navigates the streets of New York and her own life.
January 6, 2020
I had to read this book for school, and I enjoyed it. Santiago created a honest picture of what her life was as an immigrant. Family is important to her, and she portrays it in totality, without beating around the bush. I feel that everyone should read this book. Whether you are an immigrant, or have been bullied for who you are, this is the book for you.
May 3, 2024
I finished this book in 3 days….Esmeralda Santiago is a born storyteller. This memoir is a stunning coming of age story about a woman’s quest to find her identity, femininity, and peace in a world defined by chaos and constant change. It’s relatable and entertaining and easy to forget at times that it’s her real story. I ate this book up!
March 9, 2014
''Almost A woman'' by Esmeralda Santiago is an inspiring book. The memoir starts off by introducing us to the 13-year-old Esmeralda. She and her family had just moved from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, New York. She tells us of the difficulties of fitting at school and a new country. Since she didn't speak English everything was a challenge for example helping her mother through economic times. Being the oldest of her siblings, her strict mother forbid her to date and had high expectations for her. At the age of 15-16 she became interested in acting. Esmeralda became a student at performing Arts high school and starred as Cleopatra in a play. She graduated from high school and continued her dream to be on Broadway. At the age of 19 she had come across many men but never settled. She always focused more on her career. I think she was doing the right thing, after all the right man would come as destined. This is such a great book because Esmeralda Santiago made it in Brooklyn, she accomplished her dream. After her mother being very over -protective Esmeralda learned to be on her own and make her own decisions. People should take some time to read this book.
September 2, 2014
This book resonated with me in so many ways. It's not just because I'm half Puerto Rican, but even more because it's so much about learning who you are when you're straddling two cultures. And no matter where I've lived, I've always done so. I found it absolutely fascinating, a little heartbreaking, and even beautiful at times. I began Post-It tabbing lines soon after I started the book, and by the end I'd tabbed so much that I'm too embarrassed to take a photo and show people. It's intense.
I also happen to really like Esmeralda Santiago's writing style. It's descriptive, detailed, and flows in a way that makes me think of when I first learned to read in Spanish. At the same time, it's not heavy, and I can still find points of self-awareness and objectivity that make me smile, or ponder. I'm looking forward to discussing this book at ER next week - and also, to reading the next volume of Santiago's memoirs!
I also happen to really like Esmeralda Santiago's writing style. It's descriptive, detailed, and flows in a way that makes me think of when I first learned to read in Spanish. At the same time, it's not heavy, and I can still find points of self-awareness and objectivity that make me smile, or ponder. I'm looking forward to discussing this book at ER next week - and also, to reading the next volume of Santiago's memoirs!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2014
"Almost A Woman" by Esmeralda Santiago was a very detailed and fascinating story to read as Esmeralda told of being a young girl coming to America from Puerto Rico. Esmeralda or "Negi" as she is known in the book, faces the rough changes coming from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, New York. Esmeralda wanted to learn the ropes of being a regular American girl but her mom was on her back, which kept her in the tradition and culture of being a Puerto Rican girl. Through out the book spreading her wings and growing into a women is hard for her not being able to really know what she wanted. Many young girls can relate to Esmeralda's story coming from different countries and having to settle in different environments. Learning new languages, dealing with climate changes and new people with new personalities are things that Esmeralda shows in the book, making it interesting and relatable for us readers.
October 17, 2008
Negii (as her family calls her) comes to New York at age 13. Her mom and dad are seperated, she has ALOT of brothers and sisters, and she doesnt speak fluent english. She makes it through middle school and high school with dreams of becoming an actress. She lives with her mom most of her life. She dates many men much older than her. She's proposed to twice. She dates a heroin abuser, an actor, a pornography director, and alot more men. She's a virgin until she's a woman of about 19, and she loses her virginity to the "director". Her mom doesnt want to let her leave the house until she's married, and she has to deal with most of her family most of her life.
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January 12, 2012Is on page 150
Negi has a secret life while a sleep as like a dream, she would do whatever she wanted and think how she wanted. She would feel free.she became an American in those dreams. I know i would dream the same if i wasn't American Negi wants to loose her puerto rican accent. Negi realizes how much her mom has done for them. Negi becomes ashamed of where they live. Negi starts thinking about guys. After Negi's mom starts to feel better after the death of her boyfriend she takes Negi out to club's with her. Negi feels the beauty of her self as she dances.After Negi gets disappointed at her father because he was never there for her. She misses him more than ever as she gets older.
Negi has a secret life while a sleep as like a dream, she would do whatever she wanted and think how she wanted. She would feel free.she became an American in those dreams. I know i would dream the same if i wasn't American Negi wants to loose her puerto rican accent. Negi realizes how much her mom has done for them. Negi becomes ashamed of where they live. Negi starts thinking about guys. After Negi's mom starts to feel better after the death of her boyfriend she takes Negi out to club's with her. Negi feels the beauty of her self as she dances.After Negi gets disappointed at her father because he was never there for her. She misses him more than ever as she gets older.
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