Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz: A Quinceañera Club Novel
Publication Date: August 11, 2009
ISBN: 978-0446540513
Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is ostensibly about 14 year old Carmen Ruiz's quinceanera - the event that marks her as a woman. However, it's really about her mother, Ana, and her quest to figure out her life.
After Ana's husband, Esteban, moved out of their house, Ana is left to raise her 14 year old daughter and 17 year old son on her own. It would be easy, however both children don't understand why their father left and resent their mother for the situation (specifically Carmen). To help ease the tension, and to get closer to her angry daughter, Ana decides to throw Carmen a quinceanera to celebrate her 15th birthday. Because, really, is there a better way to have the family come together?
As Ana tries to figure out her husband's estrangement, she becomes intrigued by a visiting artist at the college she works with. And as her feelings towards the stranger become more intense, Carmen's feelings towards her mom get worse. All the while, Diego, the son, acts as the voice of reason between his sister and mother, all the while trying to win a girl's heart and live up to his father's expectations. On top of all that, Carmen's cousin Bianca frantically takes over the quinceanera planning only to get over some secrets of her own.
Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is a whirlwind of a book that shows what it's like to be a mother, a daughter, a son, and a father. Taking each character's side, the book shows how one event can tear a family apart, and yet another can seamlessly sew it back together.
You could instantly tell that Acosta has been to her fair share of quinceaneras from the detailed descriptions spread through the book - from the dresses to the dancing. Although the quinceanera is the event that brings the story together, Ana Ruiz is truly the backbone. You watch her go from highs to lows throughout the book and cheer her on along the way. She's an incredibly likeable character and although her progress is slow, it's revealed incredibly powerfully. Acosta did an excellent job characterizing each person and bringing them to life. With that, you even like 14 year old Carmen, even though she's annoying, because she's written as a teenager should be. I especially liked Bianca, the cousin. Full of energy and enthusiasm, it's all an act that hides what she's truly feeling. That's what being a teenager is all about.
I liked how the book opened and closed. The prologue starts at the end, the day of the quinceanera, hinting at the chaos that will ensue. At the end, it goes back to that same moment, bringing it back around, giving the opening a new understanding.
One thing I didn't necessarily like about the novel is the interjections of Spanish terms and phrases. On one hand, it make the book more authentic. You felt like you were part of the family, hearing them as they spoke and that was a nice touch. However, on the other - since I don't speak Spanish, I didn't understand key parts, needing to translate quite a bit.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the book. It's a quick read that keeps you interested and entertained. I learned quite a bit about the San Antonio culture and felt for each character deeply. I'm intrigued to read the next part of the series, as it's about Beatriz, a minor character in this book, and her quinceanera. Fun debut novel from a talented new author.
Read the Hachette Reading Group Guide
Read Belinda Acosta's blog
Read the prologue
Read the author's articles in the Austin Chronicle
1 comments:
I've seen this one make the rounds. We are at a pretty big disadvantage for not speaking Spanish down here, aren't we? There are times throughout my week when I realize that I am often the only soul in the room that doesn't speak the language! My kids started learning it in Kindergarten. Anyway, when I read books that do that, I end up blipping right over that part, which is probably not the intent of the author...
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