MUDDY CUP: A Dominican Family Comes of Age in a New America

by Barbara Fischkin

Traces the challenges faced by four generations of a Dominican family after leaving their poverty-stricken country under the dictator, Trujillo, and arriving in Queens, New York, where the youngest son gains U.S. citizenship. 10,000 first printing.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 1997

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a close high school friend who is now a reporter/writer in NYC. Book was written following research done for local newspaper in Long Island,NY.

[Ercilia Delancer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Dominican who immigrated to the United States in the 70s, I have to say that I was disappointed with this book as I felt the author should have followed a chronological format to make it easier for the reader to understand the effects immigration had brought to the family members in their physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. Instead, the author goes back and forth in time and inserts her own story into the book in ways I felt was unnecessary. What I had expected were the reactions of the different family members to having a flushing toilet, fridge and stove at hand. How they felt the first time they shopped at a supermarket with its dizzying array of choices and whether they modified their diet as a result. And where are the funny anecdotes brought about due to language and cultural misunderstandings? I do know Dominicans don't cook "sancocho" for every meal as this is time-consuming dish offered at special occasions. We don't "drink" our sweet bean concoction as it is thick enough to be eaten with a spoon, just like soup. And as far as I know, this dish was only prepared for the Holy Week celebration.