Chicana Falsa : And Other Stories of Death, Identity, & Oxnard

by Michele Serros

From the white boy who transforms himself into a full-fledged Chicano, to the self-assured woman who effortlessly terrorizes her Anglo boss, the author introduces a unique new viewpoint of the American literary landscape through a collection of poems and stories. Reissue.

Genres: Poetry, Short Stories, Nonfiction, Latinx, Latino, Essays, Feminism

79 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

About the author

Named by Newsweek as "A Woman to Watch for in the New Century," Michele Serros is the author of Chicana Falsa and other stories of death, identity and Oxnard, How to be a Chicana Role Model, Honey Blonde Chica, and ¡Scandalosa!

A former staff writer for "The George Lopez Show," Serros has written for the Los Angeles Times, Ms. Magazine, Marie Claire, CosmoGirl, and The Washington Post and contributes satirical commentaries regularly for National Public Radio. An award-winning spoken word artist, she has read her poems to stadium crowds as a national touring "Road Poet" for Lollapalooza, recorded "Selected Stories from Chicana Falsa" for Mercury Records, and was selected by the Poetry Society of America to place her poetry on MTA buses throughout Los Angeles County.

Serros attended Ventura College before moving to Venice, Calif. and enrolling at Santa Monica College. She transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles where she graduated with a degree in Chicana/o Studies cum laude in 1996. "With the so many years I spent in college," Ms. Serros has been known to joke, "I should have three Ph.Ds by now."

via http://www.miralamichele.com/

Reviews

[Vanessa G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in high school right around the time that I began to accept the fact that I was a chicana. Not that I was in denial, but when you grow up in a white town and go to a white school and you can barely speak to your own grandmother because your spanish is so terrible.. well, things can get confusing. This book was very reassuring.

[da AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

super fun & insightful - the audio version is classic!

[Cristal Velez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it ! It's about time we get some female Latino authors up in here !

[Thalia Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this was written in a female perspective. I am completely identifiable with Serros in that I am not a ”hardcore Mexican”. Thank you to my friend for giving me this book. I am glad to have read this and am glad Serros has given a voice to girls like us who don't feel quite committed to one particular culture other than the one our parents sway us towards. It was both touching and hilarious reading each verse and story.

[Mrs. Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book for a 2nd time. It’s a book I wish I had read in high school because I didn’t know books like this existed. The author and I have so much in common being Southern California Chicanas that do not speak Spanish. This book will always deserve a reread and a place in my heart. It’s unfortunate she passed away. We need more authors like her. 💜🙏🏾

[Angela Sauceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally identify with Serros, having grown up in Southern California and being called a fake Mexican as well. She manages to be humorous and point out injustices within and outside our culture. Also love that she talks a lot about writing and the struggle that comes with being a writer.

[Grettel Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

me reí mucho con este libro dominguero!

[Courtney Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attention Shoppers, White Owned, Mi Problema, A Belated Victory (For Us), Stuff, and The Gift were the standouts for me. But they were all pretty fantastic.

Stuff especially.

[Frania Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life in a nutshell.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of poetry and short stories gave a wonderful glimpse inside Serros' experiences growing up.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍👍

[Nea Poulain · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://divagaciones-de-una-poulain.bl...

Este fue un descubrimiento nuevo y sin duda más contemporáneo. Llevo tiempo buscando literatura chicana, sobre todo si es literatura que ahonde en la identidad de los chicanos (mexicanos nacidos en Estados Unidos) y Michelle Serros, que murió hace unos años, expresa perfectamente su identidad y sus problemas en este libro de poemas. Habla de los estereotipos con los que ha vivido y ha sido marcada toda la vida, de cómo pocos la apoyaron cuando quiso ser escritora, de cómo su familia es muy complicada, porque su tía fulanita no le habla a menganita, pero igual las dos van a las fiestas y a los funerales así que hay que evitar que se sienten a menos de veinte asientos de distancia. Y de los mejores poemas es un poema corto donde cuenta como la confundieron con una mujer de limpieza en un gimnasio y tuvo que enseñar el carnet para que le creyeran.

Estos poemas son poemas muy sencillos y no necesitas drogarte para entenderlos, como a Baudelaire, por ejemplo. Lo digo precisamente porque me han dicho varias veces que no leen poesía porque "no la entiendan". Y con este libro, que además es pequeñito, les aseguro, no van a tener ese pequeño problema.

[Linda Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have read this book a long time ago. I knew of Michele Serros early in her career but didn't read her until after she passed away, about a year and a half ago. This is a writer I connect with on so many levels. Her upbringing, her writings about family, her feelings of inadequacy as a Spanish speaker, her feelings of inadequacy as a "real" Mexican, a Chicana falsa. Yet she speaks to so many of us through her work. I like this final verse from her poem "Planned Parenthood: Age Sixteen":

Shunning the wise words
from my past
I take the questionnaire
cross out "other"
to pencil in "woman of color,"
and wait for my name to be called.

I borrowed this book from the library, but I will buy my own copy soon. This is a book I want to own.

[jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is... it has been sitting on my bookshelf since i was in middle school. i met michele serros at a book signing when she came to my middle school, & i remember loving this book like crazy. i read it once, half understood it & put it away for years. picking it up brought on such a wave of nostalgia. the writing, could have been better, but the messages were things i could relate to on such a personal level, it reminded me that the reason i first wanted to be a writer was because of this book right here.

[Katsumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I good friend of mine from California gave it to me so "Thanks for your gift". The book is an interesting mix of poetry and stories about author Michele Serros' experiences growing up in Oxnard, CA. The frankness of it surprised me and quickly won me over. It has lots of humor, some sadness, and offers a fresh perspective on what it means to grow up in today's multicultural society.

It's a great read, you won't be disappointed!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at a used bookstore and thought it had promise, and although I predominantly listen to NPR, I had never heard of Michele Serros. I am thrilled that I bought this book and it works as a reminder as to why I frequent used bookstores and why Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble don't always provide the best recommendations. It's fun and quick to read, but I may have rated it three stars if I had payed full price.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot not tell you how many people I have forced this book of poetry on. I love it and will never never give it up. I esp. love the one titled 'Attention shoppers'... Discrimination in the frozen foods section... you just have to read it.

I try to read "Annie Says" at least once every year- What can I say, my mom is a writer!

[Bill Littell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the author/poet's voice was fresh. I loved the combination of realistic poetry interspersed with short fiction. Serros keeps us in the neighborhood with recurrent characters and themes. Although some of her themes/resolutions are sophomoric, she has moments of real creativity. I truly enjoyed this quick little collection of writings.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a lot of people who liked this book, I also sympathized with Serros. I'm pure mexican and I hardly speak spanish. I have also dealt with the issue of not being "brown enough." I picked this up about 10 years ago at a book outlet in Gilroy. Good find, still have the copy to this day. She inspires me to write!

[Felicia Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it when I first read it in 2000 and I love it still. I share it with my students and people that I meet. Michele Serros taught me that my story was interesting just like hers and that everyone has a great story to tell. I love her style of writing and I love how she made me love reading again.

[Sabina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't super impressed with this book at first, but the last two stories, "Manos Morenas" and "The Gift" made it worth it. Serros' story about how she came to write the book, after her mama passed, is really moving and I definitely appreciate it for that.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. My favorite chapters were the introduction, which explained why she wrote this book, Stuff, The Grudge Holders, and The Gift. Serros is very descriptive and very honest in her writing. I recommend her book.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely stunning! The writing is so rich and so moving; an absolute page turner. Pick this up when you need to feel inspired or when you want to grin and laugh. Enjoy this book, it is truly something special. One of my all time favorites.

[Manatee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that the question of Chicano identity can be dealt with in an irreverent and refreshing way. I loved the story about the Price is Right.

[Sarita]

i read this when i was in high skool. :)

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny.

[Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably better than how I reviewed it but poetry isn't my thing. Lots of stories involving race and other aspects of growing up in So Cal.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Serros make you feel like you are reading a diary worded in the most interesting way.

[JR Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of poetry by Sherman Alexie, Kevin Young, and Natasha Tretheway.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective, humor among all the experiences of a life of not quite fitting into "White" or "Chicana."