The author, Helena Maria Viramontes, has a very interesting style. She book is almost entirely in English, but she occasionally writes a few sentences in Spanish. This reminds the reader of the cultural aspects behind the book. It serves as a reminder that just because this family lives in the United States, it doesn't mean they have forgotten their roots. They have not completely adapted to American customs, holding on to their cultural identity. These short blurbs of Spanish are difficult for me as the reader because I am not familiar with the language. I have to go look up what the phrases mean, which can be a bit annoying. However, I think that these passages add a lot of authenticity and character to the book. It reinforces the point that personal character should be held on to. Our differences shape our entire lives. Also, the author also has a tendency to jump from one scene to another without any warning. This is entirely too distracting and I think it detracts from my enjoyment of the novel. I think it would suit the novel better to switch chapters when switching story lines.
(Prompt #11, Chapter #2)
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