La Vida: A Puerto Rican Family in the Culture of Poverty-San Juan and New York

by Oscar Lewis

Después de "Antropología de la pobreza", "Los hijos de Sanchez" y "Pedro Martinez", que constituyen estudios ejemplares de la cultura de la pobreza en la ciudad y en el campo mexicanos, Lewis nos ofrece en "La Vida" el libro más dramático y revelador que se haya escrito sobre la existencia de los desheredados en un país latinoamericano cuyas estructuras sociales, económicas y políticas han sido conformadas por singulares circunstancias históricas.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Anthropology

669 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Oscar Lewis was born in New York City in 1914, and grew up on a small farm in upstate New York. He received his PhD in anthropology from Columbia University in 1940, and taught at Brooklyn College and Washington University before helping to found the anthropology department at the University of Illinois, where he was a professor from 1948 until his death. From his first visit to Mexico in 1943, Mexican peasants and city dwellers were among his major interests. In addition to The Children of Sanchez, his other studies of Mexican life include Life in a Mexican Village, Five Families, Pedro Martinez, and A Death in the Sanchez Family. He is also the author of La Vida: A Puerto Rican Family in the Culture of Poverty—San Juan and New York, which won the National Book Award, and Living the Revolution: An Oral History of Contemporary Cuba, with his wife, Ruth Maslow Lewis, and Susan M. Rigdon. Lewis also published widely in both academic journals and popular periodicals such as Harper’s Magazine. Some of his best-known articles were collected in Anthropological Essays (1970). The recipient of many distinguished grants and fellowships, including two Guggenheims, Lewis was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He died in 1970.

Reviews

[Carmendelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Similar way of expression and text is the manner in which I am accustomed . Very easy to read. I should have read this book decades ago when my mama read it. But worth the wait and experience. Culturally, unique but eerily familiar as it emphasizes same topics as discussed in my own household.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should list Rosita Gonzales as the co-author, since she ("Rosa" throughout the book) actually interacted with the Rios family and did the ethnographic fieldwork. The way this ethnography is written is...problematic to say the least. As someone who teaches anthropology, this book is referenced as the source of the "culture of poverty" which is basically the class ideology of poor people only have themselves to blame. I think this text has its place as a useful read for certain anthropology students looking to understand the history of anthropological theories and how not to write an ethnography (no reflexivity at all), but I cannot recommend this book for a general audience.

For a full discussion of this book, check out my episode of "From the Archives"

https://anchor.fm/anthropologyarchives

[Aida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its basically accurate to what percentage?? How do I know what they are saying is all truth? The author was awesome and I got to meet him when i was younger...I did read the book by accident one day....and took it to Spain to finish it.

It was unbelievable, yet when I read things in this book...it was matter of fact on a lot of things.

[Patti Overholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to Oscar Lewis in a sociology class in 1970. I thought I had read of his works but just discovered two more through Goodreads. His writings make the people come alive. From time to time, I still find myself thinking of the individuals he wrote about.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Studies of poverty like this one are important to read. The events that the poor are faced with can be disturbing and frustrating to read about, but they provide a perspective. Having that perspective allows one to achieve empathy, understanding, and feelings of gratitude.
The book starts with a lengthy intro that outlines the methods for data collection- which are thorough but not exactly enjoyable to read about. There is some historical background concerning Puerto Ricans, but the point is made that the book is about poverty, not necessarily Puerto Ricans. The author notes that regardless of ethnic background, patterns emerge when studying the effects of poverty on a population. Perhaps the most disturbing, and best summation of this pattern he refers to as the individuals taking an attitude of “cheapness of human life”.
The information is relayed from different family members. After a while, the anecdotal stories become tedious to read. Often family members repeat the same events-although from a different perspective, but the accounts don’t vary much. As I neared the end, I wasn’t really excited to pick the book up.
As mentioned, books like these are important for anyone to read, but personally, the fact that these stories can produce feelings of appreciation for what I have is the most significant to me.

[Beth Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Lewis’ theory on the culture of poverty does not take into account the systemic nature of poverty and has not stood the test of time, I appreciated the anthropological technique of narrating a life through only the words of the subjects themselves. The interview style made La Vida very readable and relatable and I am grateful to learn more about the victories and struggles of a Puerto Rican family in NYC.

[Leeann Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The study of families of Puerto Rico and New York living in poverty. Character study and sociological comment

[Jeff Keehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fine work of sociology by Lewis. I will never forget the way the heroine kept a razor blade in her mouth in case she was attacked.

[erl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a detailed monograph of one family. “La Vida” means “life”, but in this case, it means “the life”, ie prostitution. Three sisters and their mother all are or have been in “the life,” both in Puerto Rico and the eastern US. The book consists of observing a day in the life of each woman plus extensive interviews with each. Their brother, current and former spouses, and some of their children are also interviewed. I found it fascinating to see how they see their own lives and their ideas about the future. A book about living in the moment, because the future is never guaranteed.

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracias a Lewis y sus etnografías de la vida marginal empecé a interesarme en la antropología sin saber aún que existía esta manera de encontrarte con el otro. El libro fue uno de los tesoros encontrados en la casa cuando era adolescente, me encantó el detalle de sus descripciones y la multiplicidad de voces ahí capturadas.

[Julie p · Rating 4 out of 5]

classic

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ethnography of a Puerto Rican family - greate window into their lives with an unflinching look at povery, sexuality and power, family. A bit long but good trip

[Rosalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember if I read Oscar Lewis for a class in college or if I just rad them, but they have stayed with me for many years

[JMRL]

Find it at JMRL: http://bit.ly/2960n6I

[Tara Reyes-Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book.. it gave me such a picture of the life my grandmother and her siblings may have lived and such a beeter understanding of the older memebers of my family and their determination to make it in the states while still holding a true and deep love for the island ..excited to read more from this author!