House on Mango Street: Deceptively Spare

I recently joined a new women's book group made up of university faculty, staff and students. For the inaugural book, we decided to read The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisnero's novel about growing in a Chicago Latino neighborhood. Taking a cue from My Name, the narrator Esperanza Cordera's mediation on the meaning of her name, we started our first group meeting by sharing the stories of our names. This was a wonderful book to start with as it enabled every woman to share part of her own story.

Told in short, spare and moving scenes, The House on Mango Street touches on themes of home and belonging (A House of My Own), self and identity and finding a place in a confusing and sometimes brutal world. Esperanza relates a variety of short vignettes giving the reader glimpses into the complex yet hopeful world of a young girl. Although each story could stand on its own, not until the end do you see that each thread is part of a stronger and more beautiful whole.

The House on Mango Street shows us the world unflinchingly through a child's eyes and yet is unafraid of a sometimes brutal reality. It teaches lessons without preaching and overall provides a sense of hope. It makes me very grateful for my many blessings, yet also reminds me to look at the world around me with caring and compassion.