Pasos Firmes: Taking Hold (Spanish Edition)

by Francisco Jiménez

En este ultimo libro de su premiada serie de memorias, Francisco Jiménez deja todo atrás en California—una familia cariñosa, una novia devota, y la cultura que lo formó—para asistir a la Universidad de Columbia en Nueva York. Rara, honesta y auténtica de la experiencia de los latinos en los Estados Unidos de América, Pasos firmes ahora esta disponible en Español. In this final book in his award-winning series of memoirs, Francisco Jiménez leaves everything behind in California—his loving family, devoted girlfriend, and the culture that raised him—to attend Columbia University. Singular, honest, and an authentic portrayal of the Latinx experience in the USA, Pasos firmes is now available in Spanish. Llevando consigo recuerdos sobre años de pobreza y prejuicios sufridos, Francisco Jiménez entra en un mundo culturalmente diferente al suyo, uno que le hace cuestionarlo todo. ¿Podrá sobresalir entre sus compañeros de la Ivy League? ¿Cómo apoyará a su familia en casa, y a su padre en México, que está demasiado enfermo para trabajar? Esta serie autobiográfica, honesta y conmovedora, ha encontrado un gran número ascendente de lectores. La obra de Jiménez cobra vida con detalles acerca del cariño y la resistencia de la familia y la búsqueda de la identidad contra todo pronóstico aparentemente imposible.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 31, 2022

About the author

Francisco Jimenez emigrated from Tlaquepaque, Mexico, to California, where he worked for many years in the fields with his family. He received both his master's degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now chairman of the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Santa Clara University, the setting of much of Reaching Out. He is the award-winning author of The Circuit, Breaking Through, La Mariposa, and his newest memoir, Reaching Out. He lives in Santa Clara, California, with his family.

Author photo courtesy of Santa Clara University.

Reviews

[Franklin Codel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Pasos Firmes in Spanish as part of my self-paced studies. Not only is the story of the life of Francisco Jimenez inspiring and powerful, but also his books are written in a style that is approachable for intermediate Spanish students.

My 5 star rating is for the full trilogy plus one that encompass the series of books by Francisco Jiminez - Cajas de Carton, Senderos Fronterizos, Mas Alla de Mi, and Pasos Firmes. Together these books tell the story of the author’s life as a Mexican migrant to the US, the difficulties he encounters growing up in CA, the obstacles he had to overcome in the education system, and eventually the joy of starting his own family. I learned a lot about the culture of the Mexican family, the value placed on hard work and service, and the ways in which the system works against newcomers in our country.

The chapters are short enough to be digestible and useful for Spanish lessons with my tutor. Each section comes with observations and parables that are full of grace and caring. Each book is only 100-150 pages long and in a small format so they aren’t dense tomes.

I strongly recommend the series for those that have interest in learning more about the lives of migrant workers and their families as well as any who are self-studying Spanish. The author is a kind soul and there are several interviews of him in English and Spanish on YouTube if you want to hear from him before reading the books.

[Bella2811 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
This was a great book to end the series/Fue un excelente libro para concluir esta serie.

This book follows Francisco Jimenez through his time at Columbia University. You follow his struggles with being away from his family but then marrying Laura and having his children.