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¡Ándale, Prieta!: A Love Letter to My Family
When I tell people who don't speak Spanish what prieta means--dark or the dark one--their eyes pop open and a small gasp escapes . . . How do I tell them that now, even after the cruelty of children, Prieta means love? That each time Prieta fell from Ita's lips, I learned to love my dark skin.
No one calls me that anymore. I miss how her words sounded out loud.
My Ita called me Prieta. When she died, she took the name with her.
Anchored by the tough grandmother who taught her how to stand firm and throw a punch, debut author Yasmín Ramírez writes about the punches life's thrown her non-traditional family of tough Mexican American women.
Having spent years of her twenties feeling lost--working an intensely taxing retail job and turning to bars for comfort--the blow of her grandmother's death pushes Yasmín to unravel. So she comes home to El Paso, Texas, where people know how to spell her accented name and her mother helps her figure out what to do with her life. Once she finally starts pursuing her passion for writing, Yasmín finds herself processing her grief by painting a portrait of her Ita, a resilient matriarch who was far from being a stereotypical abuelita. She remembers coming along to watch boxing matches at a dive bar as a child, Ita wistfully singing old Mexican classics, her mastectomy scar, and of course, her lesson on how to properly ball your fist for a good punch. Interviewing her mom and older sister, Yasmín learns even more about why her Ita was so tough--the abusive men, the toil of almost-literally back-breaking jobs, and the guilt of abortions that went against her culture.
Expertly blending the lyrical prose of a gifted author with the down-to-earth, conversational remarks of a close friend, this debut memoir marks Ramírez as a talented new author to watch. Her honesty in self-reflection, especially about periods where she felt directionless, and her vivid depictions of a mother and grandmother that persevered through a lot of hard knocks, offers vulnerable solidarity to readers who've had hard knocks of their own.
No one calls me that anymore. I miss how her words sounded out loud.
My Ita called me Prieta. When she died, she took the name with her.
Anchored by the tough grandmother who taught her how to stand firm and throw a punch, debut author Yasmín Ramírez writes about the punches life's thrown her non-traditional family of tough Mexican American women.
Having spent years of her twenties feeling lost--working an intensely taxing retail job and turning to bars for comfort--the blow of her grandmother's death pushes Yasmín to unravel. So she comes home to El Paso, Texas, where people know how to spell her accented name and her mother helps her figure out what to do with her life. Once she finally starts pursuing her passion for writing, Yasmín finds herself processing her grief by painting a portrait of her Ita, a resilient matriarch who was far from being a stereotypical abuelita. She remembers coming along to watch boxing matches at a dive bar as a child, Ita wistfully singing old Mexican classics, her mastectomy scar, and of course, her lesson on how to properly ball your fist for a good punch. Interviewing her mom and older sister, Yasmín learns even more about why her Ita was so tough--the abusive men, the toil of almost-literally back-breaking jobs, and the guilt of abortions that went against her culture.
Expertly blending the lyrical prose of a gifted author with the down-to-earth, conversational remarks of a close friend, this debut memoir marks Ramírez as a talented new author to watch. Her honesty in self-reflection, especially about periods where she felt directionless, and her vivid depictions of a mother and grandmother that persevered through a lot of hard knocks, offers vulnerable solidarity to readers who've had hard knocks of their own.
272 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
54 people are currently reading
2793 people want to read
About the author
Yasmin Ramirez
10 books49 followersYasmin Ramirez is a 2021 Martha's Institute of Creative Writing Author Fellow as well as a 2020 recipient of the Woody and Gayle Hunt-Aspen Institute Fellowship Award. Her fiction/CNF works have appeared in Cream City Review and Huizache among others.
She is an Assistant Professor of English, Creative Writing, and Chicanx Literature at El Paso Community College. She stays active in the Borderplex arts community and serves on the advisory board of BorderSenses, a literary non-profit. Her memoir ¡Ándale, Prieta!, by Lee and Low Books, is now available.
She is an Assistant Professor of English, Creative Writing, and Chicanx Literature at El Paso Community College. She stays active in the Borderplex arts community and serves on the advisory board of BorderSenses, a literary non-profit. Her memoir ¡Ándale, Prieta!, by Lee and Low Books, is now available.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 30, 2022
Reading Yasmín Ramírez's ¡Ándale, Prieta! feels like giving yourself a gift—something you've been hungry for for a long time, but couldn't quite put your finger on. The book's subtitle, "A Love Letter to My Family" makes it clear what the nature of the gift will be: time spent with a loving, imperfect family facing one challenge after another, both economic and emotional, and remaining strong despite the obstacles. Ramírez's voice and her blend of border Spanish and English is an absolute delight: welcoming and with a bell-like clarity as she studies herself and those around her. I could read thousands of pages of Ramírez writing without wearying. I'm already waiting for Ramírez's next book.
This memoir recounts her experiences growing up in El Paso (and other parts of Texas) and find her way to her current life as a teacher and writer. But the real heart of this memoir is Ramírez's Ita, her maternal grandmother, who cares for Ramírez while her mother works long hours as a Border Parol agent. Ita is a remarkable woman, confounding the expectations one normally connects with a memoir about a beloved grandmother. There are some of the expected elements—home-cooked breakfasts, affectionate nicknames—but there are unexpected ones as well: being taught how to how to fist-fight, late nights spent out in bars, where everyone knows Ita and Ramírez contentedly sips her virgin bloody Marys while Ita sings, flirts, and roots passionately for her favorites during boxing matches.
As Ramírez hits her teen years, she finds herself spending less and less time with Ita, and when Ita dies while Ramírez is working a job in Houston, she hasn't seen her grandmother in years. This where Ramírez's honest reflection comes into play as she tries to understand who she became as she grew older and why becoming that person meant distancing herself from her Ita.
This book is permeated with love—a love that sees clearly and embraces much. Regardless of challenges and rough spots, it's a wonderful place to spend one's time.
I'd like to add a shout-out here to the imprint, Cinco Puntos Press. Founded as an independent press, Cinco Puntos focused on work exploring life along the U.S.-Mexico border. Their catalog included titles for children, young adults, and adults, and all of these were the kind of essential reading giving names and faces to a community not well represented in the publishing world. In 2021, Cinco Puntos Press was acquired by Lee & Low Books. Let's hope that ¡Ándale, Prieta! is typical of the kind of work Cinco Puntos, now a Lee & Low imprint, will continue to publish.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
This memoir recounts her experiences growing up in El Paso (and other parts of Texas) and find her way to her current life as a teacher and writer. But the real heart of this memoir is Ramírez's Ita, her maternal grandmother, who cares for Ramírez while her mother works long hours as a Border Parol agent. Ita is a remarkable woman, confounding the expectations one normally connects with a memoir about a beloved grandmother. There are some of the expected elements—home-cooked breakfasts, affectionate nicknames—but there are unexpected ones as well: being taught how to how to fist-fight, late nights spent out in bars, where everyone knows Ita and Ramírez contentedly sips her virgin bloody Marys while Ita sings, flirts, and roots passionately for her favorites during boxing matches.
As Ramírez hits her teen years, she finds herself spending less and less time with Ita, and when Ita dies while Ramírez is working a job in Houston, she hasn't seen her grandmother in years. This where Ramírez's honest reflection comes into play as she tries to understand who she became as she grew older and why becoming that person meant distancing herself from her Ita.
This book is permeated with love—a love that sees clearly and embraces much. Regardless of challenges and rough spots, it's a wonderful place to spend one's time.
I'd like to add a shout-out here to the imprint, Cinco Puntos Press. Founded as an independent press, Cinco Puntos focused on work exploring life along the U.S.-Mexico border. Their catalog included titles for children, young adults, and adults, and all of these were the kind of essential reading giving names and faces to a community not well represented in the publishing world. In 2021, Cinco Puntos Press was acquired by Lee & Low Books. Let's hope that ¡Ándale, Prieta! is typical of the kind of work Cinco Puntos, now a Lee & Low imprint, will continue to publish.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
April 24, 2022
I tore through the pages of Andale Prieta. Incredibly relatable coming of age story that will resonate with anyone who has grown up in the hands of strong women. Ita is a larger than life character and Yasmin Ramirez writes with nothing but unabashed love for her. Yasmin captures the chaotic roller coaster of emotions that comes with family and the unique magic of downtown El Paso.
October 13, 2025
Cute and heartfelt book, it just felt a little flat for me. The love letter to family that I was promised was not executed as throughly as I thought it would be. And as an audiobook, it just pissed me off that the author could not pronounce some Spanish words properly. But overall, light and nicely written. I could relate to a lot of things.
May 15, 2022
A beautiful and emotional read that will warm your heart.
April 20, 2022
It was awesome! It hooked me,reeled me in. It gave an insight to things I had never given any thought to and a different perspective.I laughed, I cried and I didn’t want the book to end. Definitely a must read!
May 5, 2025
3.4 stars. Andale, Prieta! is a sweet coming of age story and portrait of Yasmin's family, with a focus on Yasmin's grandmother, Ita. This story is so deeply rooted in vibrant scenes - of her grandmother teaching her how to fight; of sitting with her grandmother as a child in a bar, of her grandmother coming out of her bathtub naked, of her grandmother's cooking and facial routines. The details are really stunning - of the specific ingredients and flavors, the exact brand of soap her grandmother uses. Her grandmother Ita is a tough but loving big personality in the family, while she struggles with her absent father, her mom who is constantly working at her customs job, and her distant sister, Angie. We go through Yasmin's school life, dating, her move to Dallas with her sister, grieving her grandmother, and eventually enrolling into a creative writing program. She gives a lot of helpful context - listing all of her grandmother's seven scars, her grandmother's husbands, her family members, and even at the end there is a note about her ancestral history and placement in El Paso. There wasn't too much commentary on race and identity, it was kind of just blended through all of the scenes (in their food, in the Spanglish they speak, in the way they look, in their nicknames), and when she moves to Dallas it is commented on a little more just because of the drastic difference. Overall we get a portrait of deep family love and support, especially at the end as the family supports each other more with the loss of Ita. As much as I loved the details and the scenes, the writing/narrative didn't draw me in as much. Maybe it's because my family looks quite different from hers - my Latine grandmother lives in another country and I don't have as close a relationship with her, but I resonate with the toughness. And so maybe it didn't resonate with me as much.
May 15, 2022
This is the beautiful hard-hitting book you've been waiting for. The language is beautiful and the descriptions thoughtfully done. It's the author's vulnerability and the sharing of her life through the good and the hard that really makes this book meaningful and hard to put down. Her words shine a light not only on the frontera but also on the generations of strong woman who influenced her life and immersed her in her culture. No matter where you are in life, this book manages to find some way for you to recognize yourself in it. We all have a beautiful Ita who has made us feel better, stronger, and loved. This beautiful book echoes in your thoughts and heart long after reading.
May 13, 2022
This book feels like home in so many ways.
This book is a testament to loving your family with your eyes open, deeply examining your own life experiences and coming full circle.
If you love El Paso or have never heard of El Paso, this book is for you. It’s a love story about a unique city that is often overlooked.
It’s also about food and memory and how we need both to nourish ourselves.
Just. Read. It.
This book is a testament to loving your family with your eyes open, deeply examining your own life experiences and coming full circle.
If you love El Paso or have never heard of El Paso, this book is for you. It’s a love story about a unique city that is often overlooked.
It’s also about food and memory and how we need both to nourish ourselves.
Just. Read. It.
April 21, 2022
I don’t usually review books, but this book made laugh and cry. I really admire the strength of the grandmother through all her tribulations. Yasmin brought her to life and showed us the impact that family dynamics can have on us. I think many of us will appreciate that she was able to put into words what we may have experienced with our families and with how society may look at Latin people.
April 24, 2022
Almost equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and deeply sentimental, Yasmín Ramírez's ¡Ándale, Prieta! tells the story of her family, childhood, and success in El Chuco, the locals-only nickname for El Paso, Texas. The focal figure in all of her experiences is her grandmother, her Ita, whose impact and influence inform every chapter of the memoir. Even when Ramírez describes her years away from El Paso, working merciless retail hours in the white-washed outskirts of Dallas, Ita hovers behind her experiences, never far from her thoughts. Her grandmother's larger than life personality and life story--early on, Ramírez relates nights spent in Downtown El Paso bars with her grandmother as she sold her own ad hoc raffle tickets before singing the night away with regulars and bar owners alike--radiate throughout, making it clear why her grandmother is such a center of gravity for Ramírez. But even when she shifts to the second half of the book and steps out of those childhood years when her Ita was a daily presence, Ramírez's voice is consistently compelling and engaging as she navigates Reality Bites-esque (once upon a time, she tells us, her favorite movie) challenges of a Gen-X adulthood and moves toward her destiny as a professor and writer. One thing that keeps the book fresh and compelling are the flourishes that Ramírez weaves in, differentiating some chapters with diagonal sentences crossing the page when dialogue is being yelled up and down a flight of stairs or structuring another around an inventory of her grandmother's different scars and the stories each evokes. Ramírez proves herself a master craftsman as she moves across the decades of her life, with careful dances back in time and other sashays into dreams, but what really makes ¡Ándale, Prieta! work so well is the copious humor and the radiant warmth of it all.
January 5, 2023
This was probably my favorite book I read in 2022.
Yasmin, eres GENIAL.
I read this book during the fall of 2022 as it was introduced to me by my book club.
While I was reading through the book, Jasmin hit me with so many stories of her abuela and their life while she (Yasmin) was growing up and I felt a sadness and longing for her grandma and mine (who I did not grow up with). Abuela became a stand in grandmother for me, and I genuinely love her.
Thank you, Yasmin. Thank you for sharing your beloved Abuela with us. For sharing your memories and experience. For this beautiful tribute to her. And also for your vulnerability throughout with your own life and your own struggles.
This will be a book that I will read year after year and that will help me through life.
Andela, Prieta!
Yasmin, eres GENIAL.
I read this book during the fall of 2022 as it was introduced to me by my book club.
While I was reading through the book, Jasmin hit me with so many stories of her abuela and their life while she (Yasmin) was growing up and I felt a sadness and longing for her grandma and mine (who I did not grow up with). Abuela became a stand in grandmother for me, and I genuinely love her.
Thank you, Yasmin. Thank you for sharing your beloved Abuela with us. For sharing your memories and experience. For this beautiful tribute to her. And also for your vulnerability throughout with your own life and your own struggles.
This will be a book that I will read year after year and that will help me through life.
Andela, Prieta!
July 11, 2022
Beautiful and heartbreaking. It took me a while to finish because I couldn’t face the feeling of losing someone and live with it. I don’t have words to describe it. I can see myself in Ita, in Yasmin too. I understand why this book was written and must be on paper. I really don't have words to describe this book besides all these nonsense sentences.
As someone who has lost someone important, I know (even though I never met Ita) that she would be happy.
Ojalá todos conozcan su historia y que siga dejando una marca en el mundo.
As someone who has lost someone important, I know (even though I never met Ita) that she would be happy.
Ojalá todos conozcan su historia y que siga dejando una marca en el mundo.
January 3, 2024
This book felt like a warm hug.
December 2, 2025
Rather dull and way too long and detailed. The narrator is often frustratingly dramatic. Even though I don’t speak Spanish, it was nice that it was embedded in the book.
January 11, 2026
2.5
Idk. Not for me. I felt nothing and will probably forget this pretty quickly.
Idk. Not for me. I felt nothing and will probably forget this pretty quickly.
May 31, 2022
This snuck up on me! I love a memoir and reading about an El Paso family filled me with so much warmth. Thankful for Yasmin Ramirez letting us in to her complex family dynamics and stories.
July 3, 2023
Reading Yasmín Ramírez’s book ¡Ándale, Prieta! made me resonate with her in many ways I had not thought about before. This book managed to find a way for me to recognize myself and she was able to put into words personal experiences I have had as well as many others have. It is a very hard-hitting book and I like the way Yasmín shared her life through the good and bad moments, giving it a beautiful and vulnerable significance. This book shows the strong generations of women who have overcome difficult challenges as mothers, wives, and Latin women. Despite these obstacles, they all remained strong throughout their challenges and did the best they could to have a good life for themselves and their family. Reading this book made me realize how I used to think that I was lost and had no clue what I wanted to do with myself in the future, but seeing Yasmín going through similar situations and getting out of them stronger than before give me hope that I would be able to find my own future. Yasmín wrote this memoir as a love letter to her family, but I believe she wrote this love letter to her memories as well.
January 27, 2023
Love this❣️Makes me think of my own strong willed precious grandmother♥️
September 26, 2025
¡Ándale, Prieta! by Yasmin Ramirez is a heartfelt and layered memoir that reads like both a love letter and a reckoning. Ramirez invites us into her El Paso childhood and young adulthood, where family, loss, identity, and resilience shape her.
At its heart is the relationship between Yasmin and her grandmother—fierce, protective, and complicated. Through her grandmother’s voice and expectations, we see the tension between being nurtured and being pushed, loved and sometimes constrained. Ramirez doesn’t shy away from the harder edges of this relationship, and that honesty makes their bond feel real and deeply human.
The book weaves between personal memories, cultural snapshots, and moments of grief and joy. Ramirez’s depiction of family life—rooted in traditions, food, language, and sharp humor—feels vibrant and familiar. At the same time, she traces how tragedy (particularly the sudden death of her mother) and intergenerational struggles leave lasting imprints. Some of the most powerful sections are those where she wrestles with what it means to be called “prieta”—once an insult, later reclaimed as a term of belonging and identity.
The narrative is strongest when it lingers on character: her grandmother’s sharp tongue and deep loyalty, Yasmin’s own younger self navigating school and self-doubt, and the extended family who hover between background and backbone. At times, the timeline jumps felt slightly abrupt, but overall the structure mirrors memory itself—fragmented but connected by emotion.
This memoir doesn’t tie everything up neatly, which makes it resonate all the more. It’s about survival, love that’s not always gentle, and the ways we come to understand our families and ourselves. A beautiful debut—raw, tender, and memorable.
At its heart is the relationship between Yasmin and her grandmother—fierce, protective, and complicated. Through her grandmother’s voice and expectations, we see the tension between being nurtured and being pushed, loved and sometimes constrained. Ramirez doesn’t shy away from the harder edges of this relationship, and that honesty makes their bond feel real and deeply human.
The book weaves between personal memories, cultural snapshots, and moments of grief and joy. Ramirez’s depiction of family life—rooted in traditions, food, language, and sharp humor—feels vibrant and familiar. At the same time, she traces how tragedy (particularly the sudden death of her mother) and intergenerational struggles leave lasting imprints. Some of the most powerful sections are those where she wrestles with what it means to be called “prieta”—once an insult, later reclaimed as a term of belonging and identity.
The narrative is strongest when it lingers on character: her grandmother’s sharp tongue and deep loyalty, Yasmin’s own younger self navigating school and self-doubt, and the extended family who hover between background and backbone. At times, the timeline jumps felt slightly abrupt, but overall the structure mirrors memory itself—fragmented but connected by emotion.
This memoir doesn’t tie everything up neatly, which makes it resonate all the more. It’s about survival, love that’s not always gentle, and the ways we come to understand our families and ourselves. A beautiful debut—raw, tender, and memorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
“¡Ándale, Prieta!: A Love Letter to My Family” by Yasmín Ramírez is a beautifully open coming-of-age memoir that doubles as a love letter to the tough grandmother who raised her. The title itself, “Prieta,” is a term of endearment. When explaining its meaning to those who don’t speak Spanish, the author reveals that it translates to “dark” or “the dark one.” However, as the narrative unfolds, we discover that for Yasmín, “Prieta” holds a deeper significance.
The book centers around Yasmín’s non-traditional family of tough Mexican American women, anchored by her resilient grandmother, affectionately called “Ita.” Through vivid prose, Yasmín recounts the punches life has thrown at her, from working an intensely taxing retail job to seeking solace in bars during her twenties. But it’s the blow of her grandmother’s death that pushes her to unravel and return home to El Paso, Texas.
In El Paso, where people know how to spell her accented name, Yasmín grapples with grief and begins pursuing her passion for writing. She weaves her grandmother’s story—the matriarch who defied stereotypes—into her own narrative. Ita, far from the typical domestic abuelita, taught Yasmín resilience, how to stand firm, and even how to throw a punch. Their bond transcends generations, and Yasmín’s honest self-reflection resonates with readers who’ve faced their own hard knocks.
“¡Ándale, Prieta!” is a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the strength found in the women who shape our lives. Yasmín Ramírez’s debut memoir invites us to reflect on our own roots and the power of love passed down through generations.
The book centers around Yasmín’s non-traditional family of tough Mexican American women, anchored by her resilient grandmother, affectionately called “Ita.” Through vivid prose, Yasmín recounts the punches life has thrown at her, from working an intensely taxing retail job to seeking solace in bars during her twenties. But it’s the blow of her grandmother’s death that pushes her to unravel and return home to El Paso, Texas.
In El Paso, where people know how to spell her accented name, Yasmín grapples with grief and begins pursuing her passion for writing. She weaves her grandmother’s story—the matriarch who defied stereotypes—into her own narrative. Ita, far from the typical domestic abuelita, taught Yasmín resilience, how to stand firm, and even how to throw a punch. Their bond transcends generations, and Yasmín’s honest self-reflection resonates with readers who’ve faced their own hard knocks.
“¡Ándale, Prieta!” is a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the strength found in the women who shape our lives. Yasmín Ramírez’s debut memoir invites us to reflect on our own roots and the power of love passed down through generations.
April 29, 2024
"Andale Prieta: A Love Letter to My Family" by Yasmine Ramirez is a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and culture. The title, "Andale Prieta," carries a sense of familiarity and endearment, hinting at the intimate nature of the piece. Yasmine Ramirez's "Andale Prieta: A Love Letter to My Family" is a profoundly moving and reflective piece that delves into the complexities of identity, family, and culture. The author's choice of title, "Andale Prieta," evokes a sense of intimacy and tenderness, providing a glimpse into the personal nature of the writing. Through her heartfelt exploration of these themes, Ramirez invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and relationships, ultimately creating a work that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
The novel is set in the enchanting city of El Paso, Texas, where the author, Ramirez, takes us on a journey through time, transporting us to different eras, including the 1980s and 1990s and the early 2000s. In the book's first half, Ramirez artfully shares a series of compelling stories about her beloved grandmother, Ita. Through her vivid storytelling, we learn about Ita's physical and mental strength and how she imparted these traits to her granddaughter. The book's second half is a poignant account of Ita's passing and how it affected Ramirez. It is a tale of self-discovery as Ramirez navigates her sense of purpose and identity.
This book would most likely fit El Pasoans and young women entering a coming-of-age phase. It deals with culture, love, grief, and growth. The novel's themes are powerful and relatable, making it a must-read for those experiencing personal transformation.
The novel is set in the enchanting city of El Paso, Texas, where the author, Ramirez, takes us on a journey through time, transporting us to different eras, including the 1980s and 1990s and the early 2000s. In the book's first half, Ramirez artfully shares a series of compelling stories about her beloved grandmother, Ita. Through her vivid storytelling, we learn about Ita's physical and mental strength and how she imparted these traits to her granddaughter. The book's second half is a poignant account of Ita's passing and how it affected Ramirez. It is a tale of self-discovery as Ramirez navigates her sense of purpose and identity.
This book would most likely fit El Pasoans and young women entering a coming-of-age phase. It deals with culture, love, grief, and growth. The novel's themes are powerful and relatable, making it a must-read for those experiencing personal transformation.
April 10, 2024
I am not a reading person; reading was never easy for me, yet this book was one of the most effortless and entertaining books I have ever read. Every page was like an episode of a great show. It left you wanting to find out more, to the point where you pulled an all-nighter without knowing. Yamin wrote about her childhood and the struggles she had with her mom being a single mother and being raised by her grandmother, who had dealt with many struggles in her life. Throughout the book, Yazmin captured each scenario so that the reader could imagine themselves right next to her, which is outstanding; I felt like I had known her whole life. This book is so relatable not just because I am also from El Paso but because of how her family functions, having a single mother, learning from hardworking women, and how women were viewed and treated in the Mexican culture. One of the chapters resonated so much with me and talked about Ita's scars. This chapter made me cry because it reminded me so much of my grandmother and mother. They had too many jobs that worked them to the bone literally, my grandmother got arthritis over time, and my mom's hands are beating up because of the amount of damage caused by these jobs. Even though this is a common topic in our culture, it still hurts that they had to go through that to get by. I 100% recommend this book. It will give you a great insight into a Mexican-American woman going through hardships throughout her life that shaped her into who she is.
April 8, 2024
To start off I loved this book a lot! From the first chapter the book get's the ball rolling, and keeps getting better and better. Yasmin's culture bleeds through her words she doesn't have to say that she is Mexican American it just shows. From her upbringing you can tell she comes from one of many families in El Paso for the good and the bad, the way she begins to describe her life I can surely say I have some of these things in common. When I first started reading I went through the pages quickly and entertained wanting to find out more about what was next! The Author keeps you hooked with stories from her life, her vulnerability, fears, hopes and wants. Yasmin does a really good job at bringing the characters in her book to life, you could really imagine how her grandmother was; and how she is similar to many of the strong and proud women of Mexican decent we have in El Paso. Yasmin's mother is also portrayed greatly in this book, many people would see the similarities of Yasmin's family structure and find them familiar. Yasmin's mom reminds me of many of my friends mom's having to work hard for the family and having little to no time to be home with everyone so they send the little ones with the grandparents for the meantime. This book was really great it had me laughing, wanting to cry, and wanting the best for Yasmin, I didn't want the book to end; it shows you lessons, culture, struggles, acceptance and life all from different perspectives in age.
July 7, 2023
¡Ándale, Prieta! is a mesmerizing literary work that took me on a profound and thought-provoking journey. Set in a vividly portrayed Mexican village, the novel skillfully explores the complexities of identity, cultural heritage, and the struggle for self-acceptance.
The author's rich and evocative prose effortlessly transports the reader to a world brimming with vibrant characters and intricate relationships. The protagonist, Prieta, captivated me with her resilience and determination as she navigated the societal expectations that weighed upon her.
The book delves deep into themes of tradition, gender roles, and the clash between modernity and heritage. Through the narrative, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals torn between embracing their roots and pursuing their own aspirations.
¡Ándale, Prieta! is a triumph in storytelling, seamlessly blending social commentary with intimate personal narratives. The author's skillful portrayal of the cultural nuances and the emotional depth of the characters left a lasting impact on me.
I wholeheartedly recommend ¡Ándale, Prieta! to readers who seek immersive storytelling that sheds light on the complexities of identity and the enduring power of the human spirit. This book is a true gem that deserves widespread recognition for its compelling narrative and thought-provoking themes.
The author's rich and evocative prose effortlessly transports the reader to a world brimming with vibrant characters and intricate relationships. The protagonist, Prieta, captivated me with her resilience and determination as she navigated the societal expectations that weighed upon her.
The book delves deep into themes of tradition, gender roles, and the clash between modernity and heritage. Through the narrative, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals torn between embracing their roots and pursuing their own aspirations.
¡Ándale, Prieta! is a triumph in storytelling, seamlessly blending social commentary with intimate personal narratives. The author's skillful portrayal of the cultural nuances and the emotional depth of the characters left a lasting impact on me.
I wholeheartedly recommend ¡Ándale, Prieta! to readers who seek immersive storytelling that sheds light on the complexities of identity and the enduring power of the human spirit. This book is a true gem that deserves widespread recognition for its compelling narrative and thought-provoking themes.
April 24, 2023
Yasmin Ramirez shares a collection of loving memories she has of her abuela, Ita, in her honest and sincere memoir, Andale, Prieta! Growing up, Yasmin recalls the evenings she spent with Ita at a local dive bar eating her favorite foods, bonding over their love for spicy food, and watching Ita’s rituals of bathing and adorning herself with face creams and make up. Ita served as a pillar of love in Ita’s life, so after her passing, Yasmin navigates her life as a young adult with an immense loss and a mixture of repressed emotions.
Ramirez beautifully casts Ita as a character to love in her memoir. I appreciate how Ramirez detailed what made Ita a lovable woman- both physically and internally- by describing her fierce attitude towards life and recounting each scar on her body that houses stories of domestic abuse, loss, illness, and fatigue.
I enjoyed reading Ramierz’s journey of healing and self-discovery in her memoir motivated by the love of her grandmother and her love for creative writing. With the support of the women in her family, her sister and mother, Yasmin reinvents herself and gives herself the life Ita had imagined for herself, a loud house filled with laughter, food, and love.
Ramirez beautifully casts Ita as a character to love in her memoir. I appreciate how Ramirez detailed what made Ita a lovable woman- both physically and internally- by describing her fierce attitude towards life and recounting each scar on her body that houses stories of domestic abuse, loss, illness, and fatigue.
I enjoyed reading Ramierz’s journey of healing and self-discovery in her memoir motivated by the love of her grandmother and her love for creative writing. With the support of the women in her family, her sister and mother, Yasmin reinvents herself and gives herself the life Ita had imagined for herself, a loud house filled with laughter, food, and love.
April 8, 2024
Considering that I reside in El Paso, this novel has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. I really loved reading this book and felt very identified as I am someone who is extremely close to his grandparents. In addition to the fact that I reside here, we had to visit some of the sites that Yasmin discusses in various portions of the reading. I feel like this book was written by someone I have known for a long time. I have Mexican descent and I believe that is something that also greatly aided in my understanding. This book made me laugh a lot, reflect, and occasionally even feel emotional. The traditions that she mentions are very typical of a Mexican family, the teachings that your grandmother left you, her advice, your ita became a person whom I admire just by reading how you talk about her and the great grandmother that she was, you were blessed with her.I really enjoyed this book but above all the delicious recipes that I couldn't wait to try those tacos, this book is excellent for someone who wants to start reading, very entertaining, and leaves many different teachings and points of perspective, incredible Since someone else's experiences and memories can connect with yourself, I would definitely read this book again.
July 4, 2023
¡Ándale, Prieta! by Yasmin Ramirez is an exceptional literary work that takes readers on a poignant journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration. Through her eloquent prose, Ramirez beautifully weaves together themes of identity, family, and heritage, providing readers with a compelling narrative that resonates deeply.
The novel follows the protagonist, Prieta, a young woman grappling with the complexities of her Mexican-American heritage while navigating the challenges of life in a diverse urban setting. Ramirez skillfully delves into Prieta's internal struggles, capturing her emotions and inner conflicts with sensitivity and authenticity. Yasmin Ramirez speaks about the troubles of absent parents, the loss of loved ones and the turmoil that lead her back to the city of El Paso. Where she finished school and wrote this beautiful memoir for her grandmother Ita. This novel will in deed pull on your heart strings all through out the book as it emerges you into the eyes of a child.
The novel follows the protagonist, Prieta, a young woman grappling with the complexities of her Mexican-American heritage while navigating the challenges of life in a diverse urban setting. Ramirez skillfully delves into Prieta's internal struggles, capturing her emotions and inner conflicts with sensitivity and authenticity. Yasmin Ramirez speaks about the troubles of absent parents, the loss of loved ones and the turmoil that lead her back to the city of El Paso. Where she finished school and wrote this beautiful memoir for her grandmother Ita. This novel will in deed pull on your heart strings all through out the book as it emerges you into the eyes of a child.
July 7, 2023
¡Ándale, Prieta! shares a vibrant story full of emotions that takes the reader on a figurative roller coaster.
This work shares an in-depth insight into the author's life, Yasmin, and her meaningful experiences with her beloved grandmother, Ita, effectively inferring the lifelong influence of Ita on her granddaughter Yasmin. The book also includes Yasmin's crucial experiences with the rest of her family, giving each character depth with great personalities and background stories. Therefore, this book always delivers its purpose as a love letter to Yasmin's family.
One detail that strikes me the most is its abundance of Mexican-American culture which built a solid resonance with me since I happen to be from the same culture. The cultural influence of the author shows in the book mainly through the use of Spanglish, which might be confusing for some readers, but profoundly touching for most readers coming from mixed cultures (like me).
This book is an ensured great experience for folks in El Paso coming from now abundant Chicano culture.
This work shares an in-depth insight into the author's life, Yasmin, and her meaningful experiences with her beloved grandmother, Ita, effectively inferring the lifelong influence of Ita on her granddaughter Yasmin. The book also includes Yasmin's crucial experiences with the rest of her family, giving each character depth with great personalities and background stories. Therefore, this book always delivers its purpose as a love letter to Yasmin's family.
One detail that strikes me the most is its abundance of Mexican-American culture which built a solid resonance with me since I happen to be from the same culture. The cultural influence of the author shows in the book mainly through the use of Spanglish, which might be confusing for some readers, but profoundly touching for most readers coming from mixed cultures (like me).
This book is an ensured great experience for folks in El Paso coming from now abundant Chicano culture.
April 8, 2024
Once I started reading this book, I thought it would be a waste of time as it was a book assigned by my college professor. As I went deeper into the reading, I realized I was wrong. Her relationship with her grandmother was one I desired to have with at least one of my grandparents, but sadly, they all passed away when I was a little kid. It is beautiful how her grandmother inspired her or was the reason her granddaughter, “Yazmin,” did what she did. I was also raised in a Mexican household, so I could relate many things to Yazmin. She also explains how she felt lost in her twenties and how being home seemed to cure her loneliness.
Nonetheless, so much had changed in her home since she left town for ten years because she thought she would find a purpose away from home. Yasmin felt that she was beginning to lose herself once her grandmother passed away. Yasmin felt that her mother didn’t understand her struggles and couldn’t find the words to describe the intricate feelings she was experiencing. Yasmin had trouble figuring out her life during this time as she was not “happy.” She imagined attending grad school in Dallas until she realized she didn’t know why. This was an opportunity for her mother to step in and be there for Yasmin, letting her know she would not be disappointed if she did not attend grad school. It was moving to see Yasmin unable to explain her feelings, but seeing her mother step in when she needed support was heartwarming. I strongly recommend this memoir if you have time to read a story written beautifully.
Nonetheless, so much had changed in her home since she left town for ten years because she thought she would find a purpose away from home. Yasmin felt that she was beginning to lose herself once her grandmother passed away. Yasmin felt that her mother didn’t understand her struggles and couldn’t find the words to describe the intricate feelings she was experiencing. Yasmin had trouble figuring out her life during this time as she was not “happy.” She imagined attending grad school in Dallas until she realized she didn’t know why. This was an opportunity for her mother to step in and be there for Yasmin, letting her know she would not be disappointed if she did not attend grad school. It was moving to see Yasmin unable to explain her feelings, but seeing her mother step in when she needed support was heartwarming. I strongly recommend this memoir if you have time to read a story written beautifully.
May 19, 2022
If you love family…. Read this book!
If you remember being two feet tall, and the smell of a loved ones home or cloths has as they hugged you tight… this book is for you. Life isn’t about the Sears family portraits hanging on the wall or the Christmas card of smiling children sent out every year— it is about the smells and tastes of being loved and accepted for who you are/ and loving and accepting your family for who they are. This is what makes us each the special and perfectly imperfect humans we are.
This book makes me want to do loved ones in my family the honor of writing down my aching love and joy for them as richly, honestly and poignantly as the author has. The laugh out loud family stories and tearful raw moments (both bitter and sweet) are the family heirlooms those of us lucky enough to have good families get to inherit.
I can only hope that many of us can relate to this wonderful story of an amazing and loving family!!!
If you remember being two feet tall, and the smell of a loved ones home or cloths has as they hugged you tight… this book is for you. Life isn’t about the Sears family portraits hanging on the wall or the Christmas card of smiling children sent out every year— it is about the smells and tastes of being loved and accepted for who you are/ and loving and accepting your family for who they are. This is what makes us each the special and perfectly imperfect humans we are.
This book makes me want to do loved ones in my family the honor of writing down my aching love and joy for them as richly, honestly and poignantly as the author has. The laugh out loud family stories and tearful raw moments (both bitter and sweet) are the family heirlooms those of us lucky enough to have good families get to inherit.
I can only hope that many of us can relate to this wonderful story of an amazing and loving family!!!
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