The Sunday Tertulia

by Lori Marie Carlson

“Heartfelt, intelligent. . . imagine Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club crossed with Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate . . . . Carlson’s love and appreciation for Latin cadences and culture comes though on every page.”  —  Los Angeles Times Claire is a young, struggling New Yorker whose understanding of life is enriched after a group of older and wiser Latina women bring her into a close-knit their Upper West Side  tertulia . Once a month, they come together for a Sunday afternoon of revelry, at which delicious food and strong opinions are served up in equal measure. Through their recollections and counsel, Claire comes to know the colorful, exotic, and sometimes contradictory attitudes that informed these women's lives. She begins to see her own challenges through a prism more poetic and worldly. Humorous and bittersweet,  The Sunday Tertulia  brings to life cherished Latin traditions and celebrates women's wisdom and spirituality.

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Lori Marie Carlson was born in Jamestown, New York. She went to college at Indiana University, earning a MA in Hispanic Literature. She has taught at several universities.

Carlson has written several books for children and young adults, including Cool Salsa and Sol a Sol. The Sunday Tertulia is her first novel for adults.

Reviews

[Apphia Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel that underscores the value of friendship, community and support. It's filled with cliche but sound advice for navigating life, your 20's and womanhood. Toward the end, the tone or voice gets a bit annoying, cringe and sort of like a soap opera that would not end. It's an easy read if you aren't bothered by the tone as I mentioned before.

[Kate Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

White girl aspires of being a NYC writer. Moves to NYC, writes of her lively conversations with Latina women, publishes her boring journal. Abandoned a few pages in.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is billed as a novel, but I don't consider it a novel at all. There really is no plot, very little character development, and no story. It is just a group of Latina women in New York who meet every Sunday (the tertulia) and discuss various topics, often dispensing advice to the young narrator, Claire. An easy read, and it was interesting to hear what these women had to say, but not what I expected at all. A bit of a disappointment.

[Maribeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As some who grew up around a lot of Latinos and Chicanos, and then worked at migrant HeadStart- for several years- I can relate to a lot of this book. Heartfelt, appreciative, sweet. Gringa from upstate moves to NYC, is adopted by a group of older ladies of Latin/Mexican descent. Lunches and life lessons ensue.

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be a blessing to be included in a loving, nurturing group as manifested in this novel. I identify with Claire's uncertainty and it can demolish your self-concept. Your friends can be your greatest healers. The women who surround Claire give every magnificent and spectacular gift from their trove of wisdom.

These women trust and love each other. A safe place for each other.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday Tertulia Carlson, Lori Marie 4 F drama Young woman lost in NYC joins group of older Latina women gather in traditional brunch celebrate life & help each other w/ struggles- poetic descriptions 2015 3/4/2015

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Words of advise about life and relationships from a group of wise Latina women. Unfortunately the novel lacks a plot and does not flesh out the characters of the wise women nor the narrator. It also lacks the charm of "Like Water for Chocolate" which is apparently influenced this novel. After reading it, I wondered whether his novel would have been published if the author was not the partner of a prize-winning author given its episodic nature and that much of what is presented in it would be better suited to an advice book

[Theresa Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a feel good book for all women. It is about a group of women who come together every week to talk about life and eat good food. The two things I love most. The advice the older women give the younger ones is invaluable. The author writes, "Isn't that where all of us begin? With doubts and questions that force us to discover ourselves what we are about, what we must do, then keep on struggling, praying, loving, dreaming, and forgiving."

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A great story of friendships between women, full of wonderful advice and philosophy. Claire a young New Yorker meets with a group of older and wiser Latina women once a month to learn and be inspired. We can all learn something from these wonderful women.
"Carlson's love and appreciation for Latin cadences comes through on every page" Los Angeles Times....I couldn't agree more.

[Meranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just barely rated it "it was ok". It was boring. There were bits and pieces of unique snippets of wisdom throughout the book that I enjoyed. My favorite "Routine so clouds the extraordinary qualities of our friendships, our work, and our homes." I couldn't agree more.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but pleasant read. It reminded me of a satisfying afternoon with friends you value and love, women who are willing to cross that line and care enough to talk over the awkward, painful, or confusing areas of life.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

You do not have to be Latina to fully appriciate this book! Old spanish sayings are sprinkled throughout the story. I loved the relationships between the "sabia" wise women and the "gringa" with latin sensibilities. They include her in thier inner circle. It's group therapy with food!

[Cassy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of disappointing. It was just "ok".

[Nita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok novel to pass the time. liked the cultural component

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

women's conversations on lifes issues at a Sunday Tertulia - a meal and comfort group once a month.