This novel touches on an important topic for many people nowadays. Who are we, when we're tied to two different words that have different meanings to what it means to be successful and happy. As a Hispanic-American, I've struggled my whole life with 'fitting in'. I've never felt Hispanic enough, knew barely any Spanish because I wasn't raised speaking it, while at the same time I didn't feel American enough either. Kids in my class looked different than me and often pointed it out, one girl going as far to stop me from going on a part of a school play-ground for not being light enough in color. I couldn't understand how I spoke the same language as her, dressed like girls our age, took the same classes, and played the same playground and yet, was different.
While, at the same time, a certain woman on my mother's side of the family--whom reminds me a lot of the hero, Frank's, parents--always criticized my sisters and I. I was always too American for her, not proud enough of our culture, not as religious, etc. I didn't realize all this until I read this book, but as someone who's family came from a different culture and country, there is an impact of the children or legacy, whether positive or negative. My parents always made me feel loved, no matter what language I spoke, and they were happy for me to make friends, not worrying about ethnicity. Frank an I both had a lot of the same struggles but I can't image my parents being the way they were because that's just awful.
This novel reminds me a lot of another groundbreaking novel I read in high school, the Namesake, which led me to be excited for Frank's story. That, along with the fact that this story is very important, especially in this day and age. I'm so excited to read this novel and dig deeper into Frank's life.
While, at the same time, a certain woman on my mother's side of the family--whom reminds me a lot of the hero, Frank's, parents--always criticized my sisters and I. I was always too American for her, not proud enough of our culture, not as religious, etc. I didn't realize all this until I read this book, but as someone who's family came from a different culture and country, there is an impact of the children or legacy, whether positive or negative. My parents always made me feel loved, no matter what language I spoke, and they were happy for me to make friends, not worrying about ethnicity. Frank an I both had a lot of the same struggles but I can't image my parents being the way they were because that's just awful.
This novel reminds me a lot of another groundbreaking novel I read in high school, the Namesake, which led me to be excited for Frank's story. That, along with the fact that this story is very important, especially in this day and age. I'm so excited to read this novel and dig deeper into Frank's life.