Woman's Cry: Llanto de la mujer

by Vanessa Mártir, Tracy Sherrod (Editor)

Ivy League meets the streets in this vivid work of hip-hop fiction. As a senior at prestigious Columbia University and the girlfriend of a drug dealer, India Maldonado is living two seemingly opposite lives. As India tries to gain control over her relationship and navigate cultural and class boundaries, she is drawn down a dangerous path. India quickly learns that every action brings an unexpectedly brutal reaction and realizes that the perilous nature of her decisions could cost her her soul. A smattering of easily-understood Spanish terms and slang add a distinctly Latina flavor.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ellen]

Not my favorite--probably mostly a genre issue.

There is a LOT of name dropping of various brands in here. Versace, Dior, Moët, etc. It got to be a bit much.

I was not a fan of India's "perfect" relationship with Ruben. Obviously he was better than Fabian, but a dead toad would be better than Fabian. Ruben just seemed EXHAUSTING. They barely knew each other and he was writing odes to her? He had gotten so attached to her after one chance subway conversation? And then he's threatening other people and saying he's going to protect her...like, I understand how that can be important, but when that gets added to comments about how having a baby is the most important thing ever, I get wary. And proposing after only a few months isn't great either.

I wish Anais had been in the story throughout, instead of just showing up at the beginning and then randomly again in Florida near the end.

I wasn't sure what the point of James was. Did India need another love interest? Obviously she needed someone to live with, but it would have made things flow better, I think, if she had gone to her mother at that point. Her mom just kind of showed up at the hospital. And James' character wasn't well-developed--first he's sweet and sexy and in love with her and she's developing feelings too, and then he's kind of an asshole and out of her life. I understand feeling rejected and lashing out...but it felt like a disservice to his character to have him acting continually bitter to her after he started seeing Cynthia.


Good job, though, on depicting a grade-A awful creepy abuser.

Edit: I have no doubt in my mind that Mártir can write--the reason I wanted to read this book was because of an essay that the author wrote in Bitch magazine a few years ago that I found well-written and intriguing. I certainly can't chalk that up to Bitch's editors since they barely seem to have any. Maybe Mártir is a more talented nonfiction writer, or maybe this book just needed a few more edits.

[Marybeth]

This book was captivating, a true tale of a woman leading a double life, trying to find where she belongs. I really loved every bit of it, from India's never ending struggle, to her fierce character. This book is definitely worth the read!

[Vanessa Martir]

This is my first opus. I'd love to hear what you think.

[Lahtere]

supposedly a really dope book about a young latina in washington heights, ny who is dating an abusive drug dealer and in school at Colombia University... sounds good...

[Cynthia]

Great book to read, Vanessa whom I went to JHS with has talent...

[Erica L]

Really good book! I really loved the lead character. This book was great from the Beginning to the end! So glad I found this one!