The Memories of Ana Calderón

by Graciela Limón

Now available for the first time on paperback, The Memories of Ana Calderón is the fictional memoir of a talented woman, born in tradition-bound rural Mexico, who comes to the United States and greater opportuninty only to find that here, too, society, family and religion seem to conspire to hold her back. In order to succed Ana must give up all that she holds dear. She must re-make herself into a rootless and obsessed individual. But even after accomplishing this, fate still conspires to wound her. Ana Calderón has will, guts and intelligence, but her battle against family, church, and the justice system shakes our belief in the ability to forge our own destinies. The Memories of Ana Calderón is a second novel by the writer of who The New York Times Book Review hailed as one who "leaves the reader with that special hunger that can be created only by a newly discovered writer. Ms. Limón's prose is self-assured and engrossing."

Genres: Fiction

200 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Graciela Limón is the author of eight widely read novels: In Search of Bernabé, The Memories of Ana Calderón, The Song of the Hummingbird, Day of the Moon, Erased Faces, Left Alive, The River Flows North and The Madness of Mamá Carlota. Her writing has received reviews from Publishers Weekly, library Journals and scholarly journals. The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Houston Chronicle and other leading newspapers have reviewed her work, as well as several anthologies. She was the recipient of the prestigious award for U.S. Literature: The Luis Leal Literary Award. The Los Angeles Times listed her as a notable writer for the year 1993. The Life of Ximena Godoy is due to be published in the spring of 2015. Graciela was born in Los Angeles, California, where she has resided until recently relocating to Simi Valley, California. Los Angeles plays a major role in many of her novels.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ew! This was one of the most depressing stories I've read. And gross! Did the author need to add that last bit?

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar themes and writing styles to those literary novels (usually written by white men) that we get in high school, to the degree that I'm surprised this book isn't laden down with more awards. Possibly for the same reason, while I thought the book was fine and very well written, it wasn't exactly enjoyable for me. There was a bit during the business woman arc where I thought this was going to be an uplifting joyous story (despite of the foreshadowing), and then when I started to really suspect where it was heading I kept reading anyway out of hope that the author would divert at the last minute. She did not. Ultimately this made a more complex, thematically significant story, but I disliked it so much that it negated how much I liked the earlier parts of it.

[Maribel De Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all time favorite book! And highly recommend it! It was on my syllabus in Chicano Literature. The main character, Ana, goes through various situations that affected Chicanos during the Chicano Movement. And on top of that also faced the machismo that is implied in our culture. Towards the end of the book it takes her back to her roots in Mexico. To the church she once attended as a little girl. Where she once witnessed a lady on her knees pleading for mercy. She then understood what sin could be so deeply severe that would bring a women down to her knees and beg for forgiveness.

[Lauren R Lipson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most tragic stories I’ve ever read but well written and compelling. I’ll remember this book for a long time

[Deanna Shelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly inspiring for the Chicano female community. In keeping with Limon's strong female character portrayal, Anna Calderon rises above tremendous odds to become a successful businesswoman . The back love story is on of biblical if not greek mythical proportions.

[LG · Rating 4 out of 5]

At one point I felt that I was watching a telenovela. Clean sentences. Very compelling. The end was not what I expected.

[Irma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love strong women characters able to rise above adversity.

[Taissa Heston]

This book was awesome. I enjoyed reading it!