Caramelo, de Sandra Cisneros (en INGLÉS)

Caramelo (2002) is a multi-generational family epic by American-Chicana author Sandra Cisneros. The novel follows the coming-of-age stories of Soledad Reyes; her son, Inocencio Reyes; and her granddaughter, Celaya “Lala” Reyes. The narrative takes place as the family moves among Chicago, Mexico City, and San Antonio. Written in a unique bilingual English and Spanish voice, Caramelo features themes of memory, Mexican-American heritage, female strength, and the search for a “home” between and beyond national borders.

In interviews, Cisneros has explained that much of Caramelo is semi-autobiographical, drawing from her own memories and emotions following the death of her father. Cisneros is also widely known for her debut novel, The House on Mango Street (1984), which helped bring Chicano-American stories into the mainstream of American culture.

Caramelo opens with the entire Reyes family making their annual summer drive from Chicago to Mexico City to visit “the Little Grandfather” (Narciso Reyes) and “the Awful Grandmother” (Soledad Reyes). In three separate cars, they’re a boisterous group of aunts and uncles, cousins and nephews, mothers and fathers. The novel’s narrator is Celaya “Lala” Reyes, the youngest of seven siblings and the only girl.