"Church movies we saw were mostly westerns—old westerns, in black and white. Father Mueller drove to 'Los,' as we called Los Angeles, to pick up the films and assorted reels. He never explained why western movies were all he got; I figured he knew a cowboy."
It's the 1940s. Little Mary Helen Ponce and her family live in Pacoima, a Mexican American barrio near Los Angeles. Unmindful of their poverty, Mary Helen and friends Beto, Concha, Virgie, la Nancy, and Mundo sneak into the circus, run wild at church bazaars, snitch apricots from the neighbor's tree, and poke fun at Father Mickey, the progressive priest who plays jazz on the church organ.
Experience the shame of first-generation Americans examined at school for lice, and the desire of a little girl who longs for patent leather shoes instead of clunky oxfords. Share Mary Helen's joy as she savors the sun on her face during walnut-picking expeditions, and basks in her family's love all year long.
"I am overjoyed to be invited into la casita on Hoyt Street. . . . Thank you, Mary Helen, for placing your house on the map, for inviting me to the intimacy of its rooms, allowing me the privilege to sit at the table and be nourished. In naming your own life history on Hoyt Street, you are also naming mine."—Sandra Cisneros
This tender and funny memoir traces Mary Helen's childhood from the age of eight to the beginnings of young womanhood at age 13. Combining a child's freshness of vision with adult irony, she conveys the poverty and prejudice she faced without sacrificing the memories of the everyday joys she experienced.
brings barrio life to the reader
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 21, 2001
Although she lived at Hoyt for a period briefer than Pedro, Ponce has been able to disrobe the true spirit of communal living and expose the bare naked realities that lie beneath. Readers will say it was a white trash lifestyle at first glance with their 'Hot Sauce Wars' and pornographic wallpaper. But by the end of this wonderful tale we find that they truly Kings among men.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 25, 2001
Somewhat uncomfortable was the sexual tension between the 'Jerome' character and the 'little girl with big eyes' who lived next door with her crack-smoking father. But who could forget the sunset scenes, as they all watched domestic disputes break out like clockwork as dark descended on the barrio streets. All in all, a good read.
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Overview
"Church movies we saw were mostly westerns—old westerns, in black and white. Father Mueller drove to 'Los,' as we called Los Angeles, to pick up the films and assorted reels. He never explained why western movies were all he got; I figured he knew a cowboy."
It's the 1940s. Little Mary Helen Ponce and her family live in Pacoima, a Mexican American barrio near Los Angeles. Unmindful of their poverty, Mary Helen and friends Beto, Concha, Virgie, la Nancy, and Mundo sneak into the circus, run wild at church bazaars,...