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¡Caramba!: A Tale Told in Turns of the Card
Welcome to Lava Landing, population 27,454, a town just this side of Mexico, where Miss Magma reigns and rockabilly and mariachi music are king. Enter our protagonists, Natalie and Consuelo, self-described “like-minded individuals.” They spend their days at The Big Cheese Plant and their nights at The Big Five-Four, the hottest spot in town. But they have long-term projects, foremost among them to cure Consuelo of her unreasonable fear of public transportation and long car rides so they can finally take Natalie’s 1963 Cadillac convertible on the road trip it deserves . . .
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 20, 2004
18 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Nina Marie Martínez
4 books11 followersNina Marie Martínez was born in San José, California to a first generation Mexican-American father, and an American mother of Germanic descent. A high school dropout, she holds a Bachelors degree in literature from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
An avid baseball fan, her first great ambition was to be the play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants. Since she hasn't completely lost hope in the possibility of, at the very least, being a baseball commentator, she intends to attend scout school in the Dominican Republic as soon as is humanely possible (which probably won't be for a few years). Her favorite ballplayer is the Dominican sensation Vladimir Guerrero whom she considers the only bonafide five tool player in the game.
In addition to writing novels, she is also a vintage clothes enthusiast and dealer. For shoes, her favorite eras are the 1940s and the 1980s, which saw the rise of pinup girl platform shoes and electric color pumps, respectively. Cashmere cardigans from the 1950s are also part of her everyday wardrobe, and while she believes it is fine to wear fur as long as it is vintage, she is strictly against new fur on the basis of cruelty.
She currently resides in Santa Cruz where she is at work on her second novel.
Author photo copyright Marion Ettlinger, obtained from the publisher website.
An avid baseball fan, her first great ambition was to be the play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants. Since she hasn't completely lost hope in the possibility of, at the very least, being a baseball commentator, she intends to attend scout school in the Dominican Republic as soon as is humanely possible (which probably won't be for a few years). Her favorite ballplayer is the Dominican sensation Vladimir Guerrero whom she considers the only bonafide five tool player in the game.
In addition to writing novels, she is also a vintage clothes enthusiast and dealer. For shoes, her favorite eras are the 1940s and the 1980s, which saw the rise of pinup girl platform shoes and electric color pumps, respectively. Cashmere cardigans from the 1950s are also part of her everyday wardrobe, and while she believes it is fine to wear fur as long as it is vintage, she is strictly against new fur on the basis of cruelty.
She currently resides in Santa Cruz where she is at work on her second novel.
Author photo copyright Marion Ettlinger, obtained from the publisher website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 14, 2022
Oh wow this was such a good time, I hardly know where to begin.
Actually, here's someplace: Goodreads has improperly titled this book, which should be ¡Caramba!, with that initial inverted exclamation point. This may seem nitpicky but you'd be wrong to think so — this book is (to me, an oafish monolingual American) a fully bilingual novel, smattered delightfully throughout with Spanish and Spanglish and neologisms and portmanteaux in all three languages, so much so that I kept a Spanish-to-English translator open on my phone the whole time I was reading. This includes delights like "primperations" and "disastrophe" and "I love to play el kíckbol" and "you can kill two birds with un solo tiro." The initial inverted punctuation marks carry through everywhere, whatever language or hybrid is being used, even midsentence, so a phrase with a question in the middle might ¿look like this? She drops terminal gs like Thomas Pynchon in words like "smokin" and "dancin," and her inventive and inconsistent use of commas — though it pains my copyeditor soul to say so — keeps things zingy and breezy and zips everything along fast and fun.
¿Is the language the most interesting thing about this novel? ¡Certainly not! But it's an appropriate situating device, I think. Here's another: The whole book is constructed according to a Mexican card game called Lotería, which, as near as I can tell, seems to be some kind of hybrid between tarot and bingo. I may not be smart enough (or have been reading closely enough) to see all the ways this played out, but at the very least the cards are part of all the chapter interstitials, as are delightful ephemera like shopping lists, handwritten letters, maps of the sexual prowess of men from different provinces in Mexico, newspaper articles about temperamental volcanos, paper dolls with different regional South American costumes, and plenty more fun.
Here are a few of the characters you'll be taking this rollicking ride with: Javier, un hombre de basura and born-again mariachi who finds himself in love with a just-released jailbird; Fabiola, mute since a childhood trauma took away her voice, who may just find it again when it matters most; Don Pancho, a recently deceased drunk who's been trapped in Purgatory and, once laboriously freed, finds himself restyled as El Santo Patrón de los Borrachos y las Putas; Lulabell, Javier's mama and an expert in brujería, who has found the fast-and-loose lifestyle she's gladly lived for several decades has begun to make her lonely and so decides to help the dope who has loved her since childhood to ensorcel her into loving him back; Natalie and Consuelo (Nat and Sway), best friends for more than twenty years, each lovely and rosy and complicated and stubborn, together above all on their literal and metaphorical journeys through life; and True-Dee, salon owner and gorgeous star of the show transvestis (a self-described "woman under construction"), just waiting for a macho man to love her as she truly is.
And I haven't even bothered with the fiery redheaded roller-skating dynamo and nine-time winner of the Miss Lava Landing pageant, the Big Cheese Factory and its slightly skeevy but golden-hearted owner, a pond full of axolotls, a petulant volcano, a soul-auctioning, tamales stuffed with mala hierba, and ¡truly so much more!
Just an utter rip-roaring delight of a book, ¿¡can't you tell!?
Actually, here's someplace: Goodreads has improperly titled this book, which should be ¡Caramba!, with that initial inverted exclamation point. This may seem nitpicky but you'd be wrong to think so — this book is (to me, an oafish monolingual American) a fully bilingual novel, smattered delightfully throughout with Spanish and Spanglish and neologisms and portmanteaux in all three languages, so much so that I kept a Spanish-to-English translator open on my phone the whole time I was reading. This includes delights like "primperations" and "disastrophe" and "I love to play el kíckbol" and "you can kill two birds with un solo tiro." The initial inverted punctuation marks carry through everywhere, whatever language or hybrid is being used, even midsentence, so a phrase with a question in the middle might ¿look like this? She drops terminal gs like Thomas Pynchon in words like "smokin" and "dancin," and her inventive and inconsistent use of commas — though it pains my copyeditor soul to say so — keeps things zingy and breezy and zips everything along fast and fun.
¿Is the language the most interesting thing about this novel? ¡Certainly not! But it's an appropriate situating device, I think. Here's another: The whole book is constructed according to a Mexican card game called Lotería, which, as near as I can tell, seems to be some kind of hybrid between tarot and bingo. I may not be smart enough (or have been reading closely enough) to see all the ways this played out, but at the very least the cards are part of all the chapter interstitials, as are delightful ephemera like shopping lists, handwritten letters, maps of the sexual prowess of men from different provinces in Mexico, newspaper articles about temperamental volcanos, paper dolls with different regional South American costumes, and plenty more fun.
Here are a few of the characters you'll be taking this rollicking ride with: Javier, un hombre de basura and born-again mariachi who finds himself in love with a just-released jailbird; Fabiola, mute since a childhood trauma took away her voice, who may just find it again when it matters most; Don Pancho, a recently deceased drunk who's been trapped in Purgatory and, once laboriously freed, finds himself restyled as El Santo Patrón de los Borrachos y las Putas; Lulabell, Javier's mama and an expert in brujería, who has found the fast-and-loose lifestyle she's gladly lived for several decades has begun to make her lonely and so decides to help the dope who has loved her since childhood to ensorcel her into loving him back; Natalie and Consuelo (Nat and Sway), best friends for more than twenty years, each lovely and rosy and complicated and stubborn, together above all on their literal and metaphorical journeys through life; and True-Dee, salon owner and gorgeous star of the show transvestis (a self-described "woman under construction"), just waiting for a macho man to love her as she truly is.
And I haven't even bothered with the fiery redheaded roller-skating dynamo and nine-time winner of the Miss Lava Landing pageant, the Big Cheese Factory and its slightly skeevy but golden-hearted owner, a pond full of axolotls, a petulant volcano, a soul-auctioning, tamales stuffed with mala hierba, and ¡truly so much more!
Just an utter rip-roaring delight of a book, ¿¡can't you tell!?
Read
June 18, 2008I bought this book for $2.50 at a library sale. When finally got around to reading the book, I noticed it had been signed by the author who is from San Jose, CA. It is literally a beautiful books with lovely end papers, amusing illlustrations and maps, and vivid colored pages opening each chapter.
When I was looking at other readers' opinion on Amazon.com I was surprised to see it categorized as chick lit. Maybe because it was primarily about the friendship of two women but it throws in some magical realism and humor.I enjoyed the book but I found it a little stylized which stopped an in-depth exploration of the characters.
When I was looking at other readers' opinion on Amazon.com I was surprised to see it categorized as chick lit. Maybe because it was primarily about the friendship of two women but it throws in some magical realism and humor.I enjoyed the book but I found it a little stylized which stopped an in-depth exploration of the characters.
July 17, 2012
One of the most fun and interesting books I've read.
Superficially, Caramba! is a story about love, friendship, and the ways in which people deal with the crazy game of chance that is life. But there are so many more issues and ideas to consider as a reader. A beautiful and culturally rich work of art. :)
It has more fun and quirky characters than almost any other book. You really come to like and care about them and their crazy lives. I was very satisfied with the way the book ended each character's story.
I wish Martinez would publish another book. I'd buy it in a second.
Superficially, Caramba! is a story about love, friendship, and the ways in which people deal with the crazy game of chance that is life. But there are so many more issues and ideas to consider as a reader. A beautiful and culturally rich work of art. :)
It has more fun and quirky characters than almost any other book. You really come to like and care about them and their crazy lives. I was very satisfied with the way the book ended each character's story.
I wish Martinez would publish another book. I'd buy it in a second.
March 24, 2020
The mixture of fantasy and realism in this Mexican American novel is superbly entertaining. I love the way that this book's characters are all so shameless in their celebration of life and culture. It makes me wonder why we can't all be at ease with the world around us. Caramba! seems to suggest that we should just accept ourselves for what we are, without judgement or embarrassment. Martinez recognizes that if we are blinded by our own insecurities, we will never be able to see the beauty surrounding us.
July 7, 2017
I was drawn to this book because of its bright colors and unique pages. Caramba is a tale that covers many views in life. From fear, love, acceptance, and faith in God - this book covers it all.
As this book has a mixture of English or Spanish, I would only recommend this book to people who have knowledge of both languages. Unless you are okay with using a dictionary or Internet to look up meanings.
Definitely an interesting read with a lot of action.
As this book has a mixture of English or Spanish, I would only recommend this book to people who have knowledge of both languages. Unless you are okay with using a dictionary or Internet to look up meanings.
Definitely an interesting read with a lot of action.
April 16, 2009
I picked up this book based on the author stating she admires the baseball player Vladimir Guerrero.
Here's why:
Vladimir Guerrero, like any true great talent, gives you insight to the human experience even when they aren’t really trying.
And he doesn’t even use batting gloves.
I was sitting at a ballgame watching him play back when he was with the Montreal Expos. They had runners on second and third. He was on second base. One out. The batter hits a drive to deep right-center field. The runner on third for the Expos tags up and it looks like he’ll make it home easily on a sac fly.
And he does.
But I’m watching and Vlad was tagging up from second.
Ok, I seeing, thinking…he’s going to third.
Then I see he’s going WIDE and trying to score on a routine sac fly from second base to home! I’m starting to get a chill. He’s actually going for it!
I’m looking around the crowd: all asleep. I stand up.
The ball hits the relay man just beyond second base who turns and fires it home....Vlad is now really churning, really I’m stunned thinking this insane blaze of glory might just make it!
Even the Umpire was shocked. He was bent over already almost ready to dust off homeplate. He jumps back up, and steps away…
The ball is almost in the catchers mitt and Vlad JUST beats it. He did it! SAFE!
He scored from second base on a sac fly! All the throws were good. No errors. He was just that FAST. That Insane that he thought he could make it. And he did. I’m cheering and I think I even started to run up and down the aisles (no beers) that’s the greatest play I’ve ever seen! I exclaim.
And I look around: and no one even cares. No one even understands what just occurred. Scoring from second base is something you will never see in MLB. Rare, like the cable company keeping an appointment. I’m jumping for joy, feeling so lucky I got to witness a treat feat of greatness!
Then all of the sudden someone says something about my praise:
WHY ARE YOU CHEERING FOR CANADIANS!???
Oddly sad, but true, about how people don’t really understand what is going on, and who is doing what, yes the Expos are from Canada, but Vlad is from the Dominican.
This book captures the tone of that experience. Observationally true, spiced with joy, with a bit of sadness about the nature of life tossed in here and there for the proper realistic context.
Here's why:
Vladimir Guerrero, like any true great talent, gives you insight to the human experience even when they aren’t really trying.
And he doesn’t even use batting gloves.
I was sitting at a ballgame watching him play back when he was with the Montreal Expos. They had runners on second and third. He was on second base. One out. The batter hits a drive to deep right-center field. The runner on third for the Expos tags up and it looks like he’ll make it home easily on a sac fly.
And he does.
But I’m watching and Vlad was tagging up from second.
Ok, I seeing, thinking…he’s going to third.
Then I see he’s going WIDE and trying to score on a routine sac fly from second base to home! I’m starting to get a chill. He’s actually going for it!
I’m looking around the crowd: all asleep. I stand up.
The ball hits the relay man just beyond second base who turns and fires it home....Vlad is now really churning, really I’m stunned thinking this insane blaze of glory might just make it!
Even the Umpire was shocked. He was bent over already almost ready to dust off homeplate. He jumps back up, and steps away…
The ball is almost in the catchers mitt and Vlad JUST beats it. He did it! SAFE!
He scored from second base on a sac fly! All the throws were good. No errors. He was just that FAST. That Insane that he thought he could make it. And he did. I’m cheering and I think I even started to run up and down the aisles (no beers) that’s the greatest play I’ve ever seen! I exclaim.
And I look around: and no one even cares. No one even understands what just occurred. Scoring from second base is something you will never see in MLB. Rare, like the cable company keeping an appointment. I’m jumping for joy, feeling so lucky I got to witness a treat feat of greatness!
Then all of the sudden someone says something about my praise:
WHY ARE YOU CHEERING FOR CANADIANS!???
Oddly sad, but true, about how people don’t really understand what is going on, and who is doing what, yes the Expos are from Canada, but Vlad is from the Dominican.
This book captures the tone of that experience. Observationally true, spiced with joy, with a bit of sadness about the nature of life tossed in here and there for the proper realistic context.
April 3, 2017
I finally finished! Please know it's not because I didn't like it. I get most of my books from the library but this book was lent to me by my sister. Since I always have books checked out I have to read them first. So, I loved this book til the every end. I would have rated it a 4-5 but was let down at the end - hence the 3 star rating. I loved all the Spanish-English and the vivid storytelling but I felt it ended too abruptly.
November 8, 2013
I read this ten years ago and it remains to this day one of my all-time favorite novels, and what prompted me to write my own. I love the quirkiness of the characters, the bit of underlying magical realism, the vintage clothes and classic car, the uniquely odd friendship, even the design of the book thrilled me. most of all, I could relate to the girls. Thank you Nina Marie for writing this.
November 23, 2007
Nina Marie Martinez is an amazing, sweet, mango con chile, escritora. I love this book. I want to be a chola in cowboy boots, rat my hair, wear glitter, and have authentic Mexican food while playing Loteria with un gorgeos muchacho.
December 1, 2008
Dreamy, spicy-salsa flavored, and pretty, too, this is a book that I enjoyed throughout. Recommended by Adrienne, Powells.com
March 14, 2023
super fun, love the magical realism & suspension of disbelief
October 2, 2025
this book was so good i needed a mourning period afterwards. i haven’t been able to finish a book in weeks because it’s not this one. it’s only rated four stars because it had to end. if this book never ended it would be five stars for sure.
p.s. if you don’t speak spanish reading the e-book is really great because you can highlight words/sentences and translate right away!!!! however, the book itself is a literal ART PIECE so perhaps do what i did: read the e-book and then, buy the hardcover to keep forever and ever.
p.s. if you don’t speak spanish reading the e-book is really great because you can highlight words/sentences and translate right away!!!! however, the book itself is a literal ART PIECE so perhaps do what i did: read the e-book and then, buy the hardcover to keep forever and ever.
September 14, 2023
read it english but i think it would be better to read in spanish (og) so minus 1 because some words or contexts in english didn't do it justice for how poetic and amazing the author's writing is. beautiful tale of two girlie pops and their journey together in their town's weird ways. not a single boring character, every character added to the lore. did take me forever and a day to read tho because of school/work and also there were like 5 million storylines to keep up with (which made for an extra interesting book literally loved how everyone had something going on with them) will recommend to my future children or students...or i'll read it to my pets hehehehe
May 12, 2021
In cleaning my bookcases I came across this book which I thought I had read and liked a lot. I thought I’d read it again as I needed something light and fun to read. Well, it turned out that I had not read it at all! I loved it! It was an easy read and funny. I loved each of the characters even if at times I wasn’t sure about how they all related to the others. But it all worked out. This would be a book I’d read while on vacation by the beach.
May 23, 2024
This book is full of pretty: the layout, the characters, the cars and outfits and jukebox. One of those books into which I want to magically transport myself.
May 23, 2024
I would like to see a film adaptation.
March 5, 2012
I am not really sure how to review this book, but I can tell you one thing. A little knowledge of Spanish is helpful. The story is about a Hispanic community within a town called Lava Landing, CA. So they often speak Spanglish. They may start off speaking in Spanish or English, but will end in the other. To me the story is about a bunch of lost souls trying to find themselves.
First you have Natalie and Consuela. They lead a pretty mundane life, except for the fact that Consuela has a phobia of travelling outside their little town and her father, Don Pablo, is stuck in purgatory. Natalie embarks on a trip to Mexico to help release Don Pablo in hopes to help release Consuela from her fear.
We also meet Natalie and Consuela’s friend True – Dee. True – Dee has a conflict with herself. You see, she is a pre – op transsexual, who is not quite ready to make that final leap. She feels very much like a woman, but the last little detail is hindering her from finding true love. This is something she truly wants but cannot find.
Next, you have Javier. Javier and his mariachi band are real warriors for Jesus. At least he was, until he meets Lucha, who is a warrior for herself. Javier and his band travel the area trying to save souls. He meets Lucha at the women correctional facility, where she charmed him with a hymn. Javier thought he was saving her soul, but Lucha was stealing his. This leads Javier into life of drinking, dancing, and romancing. Javier, unable to decide who he is anymore, leaves town to Mexico in search of gold. (I didn’t get that but ok.) Also, it did not help that his mother told him that due to a marital indiscretion, Lucha may be his half-sister.
Finally, this leads us to Lulabell, Javier’s mother. Lulabell use to love God, but decided that serving the devil is more rewarding. Lulabell enjoyed the company of men, many men. Javier tries to help her, but you know the saying, you can only help those who help themselves. Eventually she tires of the life she is leading and decides to allow the one man who always loved her, Alberto, to put a love spell on her. They eventually ride off into the sunset back home to Mexico.
All in all is an interesting, mystical story. The ending was kind of strange, but then again so was the whole story.
First you have Natalie and Consuela. They lead a pretty mundane life, except for the fact that Consuela has a phobia of travelling outside their little town and her father, Don Pablo, is stuck in purgatory. Natalie embarks on a trip to Mexico to help release Don Pablo in hopes to help release Consuela from her fear.
We also meet Natalie and Consuela’s friend True – Dee. True – Dee has a conflict with herself. You see, she is a pre – op transsexual, who is not quite ready to make that final leap. She feels very much like a woman, but the last little detail is hindering her from finding true love. This is something she truly wants but cannot find.
Next, you have Javier. Javier and his mariachi band are real warriors for Jesus. At least he was, until he meets Lucha, who is a warrior for herself. Javier and his band travel the area trying to save souls. He meets Lucha at the women correctional facility, where she charmed him with a hymn. Javier thought he was saving her soul, but Lucha was stealing his. This leads Javier into life of drinking, dancing, and romancing. Javier, unable to decide who he is anymore, leaves town to Mexico in search of gold. (I didn’t get that but ok.) Also, it did not help that his mother told him that due to a marital indiscretion, Lucha may be his half-sister.
Finally, this leads us to Lulabell, Javier’s mother. Lulabell use to love God, but decided that serving the devil is more rewarding. Lulabell enjoyed the company of men, many men. Javier tries to help her, but you know the saying, you can only help those who help themselves. Eventually she tires of the life she is leading and decides to allow the one man who always loved her, Alberto, to put a love spell on her. They eventually ride off into the sunset back home to Mexico.
All in all is an interesting, mystical story. The ending was kind of strange, but then again so was the whole story.
March 18, 2012
This is my second time through this fun read about a pair of Mexican American women, their lives working at the Big Cheese in California, their friends and social life. Chapters are introduced with Loteria cards (read Mexican Bingo -- but MUCH more interesting pictures instead of numbers). You'll love Natalie and Consuela's childhood friend Javier -- who has a mariachi for God and a girlfriend he meets when he goes to play mariachi hymns for the ladies at the prison -- for a while. Lulubelle, Javier's flashy mom -- gotta love those sequins...puts a love spell on Alberto -- actually to make HER fall for Alberto -- since it's her time of life to slow down, quit running to the bars and be in love. When Nat heads to Mexico to pray Consuela's father out of pergatory (they call it perg for short)
Who else? well you'd like to know Tru-Dee, the "transtite" hairdresser in town. She's done on the top, hasn't started the bottom -- which tends to put a bit of drama into the after hours dates with the cowboys she picks up at the dances down at the bar.
I giggled and snorted, it's naughty but never smutty, and a lot of fun -- especially if you have more than a smattering of experience in Mexican lives and loves. Try it -- it's a great mood lifter.
Who else? well you'd like to know Tru-Dee, the "transtite" hairdresser in town. She's done on the top, hasn't started the bottom -- which tends to put a bit of drama into the after hours dates with the cowboys she picks up at the dances down at the bar.
I giggled and snorted, it's naughty but never smutty, and a lot of fun -- especially if you have more than a smattering of experience in Mexican lives and loves. Try it -- it's a great mood lifter.
November 20, 2021
Beautifully illustrated book, charming writing. Endearing characters, although a bit flat- a light, humourous book without too much of a storyline. Did I mention it was beautiful?
(Book given to Tammy dL)
(Book given to Tammy dL)
May 27, 2020
One of those rare books I picked from the cover, then flipped through the pages and had to read it just because it was pretty and had lots of colors. I was not disappointed - I devoured this book and must read it again.
Update May 2020 (16 years after the first read): It doesn’t really hold up on a second reading for me. It starts out delightfully, enough that I was telling all my friends about it. And then...well, changes happen but there’s an awful lot of wheel-spinning to get to those changes. I’m not sorry I read it a second time. This time, unlike my first run-through in 2004, all the songs from the jukebox at The Big Five Four were available to me to download and it was fun mirroring the jukebox playlist to use as my background music while reading. I’ll probably read it again in some distant future.
Update May 2020 (16 years after the first read): It doesn’t really hold up on a second reading for me. It starts out delightfully, enough that I was telling all my friends about it. And then...well, changes happen but there’s an awful lot of wheel-spinning to get to those changes. I’m not sorry I read it a second time. This time, unlike my first run-through in 2004, all the songs from the jukebox at The Big Five Four were available to me to download and it was fun mirroring the jukebox playlist to use as my background music while reading. I’ll probably read it again in some distant future.
May 25, 2007
I picked this book for the cover! When I saw it sitting on the 'recommended reads' shelf at my public library a few years ago, it was like love at first sight. Then a peek inside and it was marriage! I eventually bought 4 copies.
The story itself is wickedly imaginitave, I definitely got a Vonnegut feel from her writing. The characters are eccentric, surreal, yet completely relatable. The storylines are pretzel like in their intertwining, and equally delicious. The combination of the fantastic tale with the awesome Loteria inspired images (yes, this book even has pictures!) was almost too much fabulousness to handle. I love this book, and am waiting with baited breath for her next novel to be released...
The story itself is wickedly imaginitave, I definitely got a Vonnegut feel from her writing. The characters are eccentric, surreal, yet completely relatable. The storylines are pretzel like in their intertwining, and equally delicious. The combination of the fantastic tale with the awesome Loteria inspired images (yes, this book even has pictures!) was almost too much fabulousness to handle. I love this book, and am waiting with baited breath for her next novel to be released...
January 26, 2014
This is the first book I have been able to get really into in awhile. The story is enchantingly original and the characters, although flawed, were very likable. It is a charming book, and one that I can recommend. Yes, there is quite a bit of Spanish phrases intermixed with English, and I did consult a Spanish to English translating app to get the meanings, but I will say that if you look at the context before and after the Spanish, you can usually get the gist of what the author is trying to convey. I saw some reviews where readers were put off by some of the supernatural story lines. It reminded me a bit of Like Water For Chocolate in that sense, but much more lighthearted. It is an original novel and transported me to a different place and lifestyle.
November 11, 2008
Funny. Beautifully structured. The book is sectioned off, and loteria cards separate each section from one another. Spanish is mixed with English, but not in a stilted or showy way. Spanish and English flow into one another, and when each character speaks, it's so perfectly written that you can hear each accent. Incredibly funny-Natalie rescues Consuelo's father from Purgatory, Consuelo inherits a cheese factory, Trudy gets duped by a volcano cult--HILARIOUS.
September 9, 2014
I was disappointed by this book. I was hoping for a Latina version of Thelma & Louise. I felt like the bulk of the book was all about Javier & Lucha rather than Consuelo and Natalie. Most of the characterization seemed based on stereotypes. And the women were portrayed as being uneducated floozies! None of them work full-time jobs either. Not sure why, but it bothered me. That being said, it was entertaining and helped pass the time whilst commuting.
July 10, 2007
This is a delicious, fun book studded with Spanglish, gaudy fashion and cheeky religious irony. Sway and Nat are best friends who love each other above all manner of hot men, patriarchal ghosts and kitschy calamity. What is better than going on an adventure with a couple of ladies who know how to kick ass, hoe down and transcend bullshit? Thank You for the book, mi corazone.
September 15, 2009
I found this at a library book sale, where else, and indeed pretty much bought it for the cover. but I did enjoy the characters, the story, the very imaginative use of graphics to illustrate the story. I did think that the last third or so of the book fell apart. But a great first effort and I would enjoy reading more from this author.
October 27, 2018
A perfect blend of magic realism, quirky characters and small town dramas, this book was a lot of fun to read, and beautiful in the way the characters shamelessly accepted each other and their circumstances. There was a lot of spanish within the book, so at times it was very confusing for a reader who remembers minimal spanish.
January 23, 2008
i love this book. it is filled with fabulous illustrations and mementos about the story. and i'm always a sucker for good latino magical realism. seriously, how can you not love a book about a mystical mariachi band?
February 15, 2008
After I read this novel, I was left wanting more from this fantastic author! I hope she is releasing a new novel soon! Martinez has a wonderful style of writing and a great grasp of Latino culture! So many different twists and turns, it was a page turner!
October 20, 2008
I need more stars! This book is probably more of a three and half for me. Brujeria and all, it lacked a little of the spark needed for four stars. Maybe I need to work on learning a little more spanish....
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