Re-reading “The House on Mango Street” as an Adult— Giveaway Included

You probably read Sandra Cisneros’ classic novel as a teenager. You may remember the cast of characters that make Mango Street so memorable. Through the eyes of Esperanza, our humorous, hopeful, and sometimes melancholy narrator, The House on Mango Street is a collection of poetic vignettes that paint a dynamic portrait of Latino life in Chicago in the late twentieth century.

I re-read the book as an adult and—let me tell you—it’s as beautiful. Maybe more beautiful the second time around.

Esperanza—an observant, artistic teenager—is the oldest of four children. At first, she’s reserved, unsure of herself, surer of others. As the stories unfold, her voice gains individuality. Their house on Mango Street, the first house that’s fully theirs, is the setting for her coming-of-age adventures. She makes friends. She learns lessons. She notices boys for the first time. She writes poetry. She explores her identity. She develops dreams of her own.

She writes:

I want to be

like the waves on the sea,

like the clouds in the wind,

but I’m me.

One day I’ll jump

Out of my skin.

I’ll shake the sky

like a hundred violins.

So often in coming-of-age stories, the main character is the one we know best. In this story, like in The Great Gatsby, it’s who we know the least. At least at first glance.

Each vignette focuses on someone else—her pretty sister, the mysterious neighbour, the Mamacita across the street who just arrived from her country and no speak English—and it’s through their stories we come to understand Esperanza’s spirited point of view. What she notices says more than any small-talk details about who she is. From one vignette to the next, we sympathize with her complex feelings about growing up Mexican in a bustling American city.

Mango Street is the stage, a character in her own right.Like on a colorful, patterned set of a Broadway show, each scene, with all its drama and plot, unveils another layer of the street’s welcoming, chaotic, and at times challenging atmosphere.

We meet Sally the girl with eyes from Egypt, Elenita the witch woman, Marin who lights cigarettes at night, Gil who owns the junk store, Esperanza’s own Papá who cried on her bed when his own father died. It’s these collection of individual narratives that, as a whole, bring Mango Street to life—with Esperanza at the helm, an emerging writer inspired by the diverse array of people that made this street, her home, so special.

Here at LatiNation, we are doing something special in honor of the book’s 40th anniversary. We’ve teamed up with Vintage Anchor Books and Yo Sabo The Game to give away one beach read prize pack!

You’ll get a stunning hardcover anniversary edition and paperback edition of The House on Mango Street, an exclusive tote bag featuring the iconic cover art, a game pack of Yo Sabo The Game, and some LatiNation merch!

HOW TO ENTER:

Follow @latinationmedia @vintageanchorbooks and @yosabo_thegame on Instagram

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*Giveaway closes 7/10 @ 11:59pm PST. The winner will be announced THURSDAY 7/11 via IG stories + will receive a DM from @latinationmedia with details. Good luck!

This giveaway is in no way associated with Meta or Instagram. By entering all parties adhere to the rules of the giveaway and confirm they reside in the USA. Must be 18 years or older to enter.