So Far from God: A Novel
by Ana Castillo
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I loved this book. It's kind of magical realism for the North American feminist. Growing up in a catholic feminist family with my mom and 3 sisters and a dad who was there -- but not so much -- the story felt like a dramatic and whimsical telling of themes I've lived. Like Ana Castillo, I've lived in Chicago and New Mexico, so the terrain and language felt pretty familiar, too.
It's a fun fast read and it's one of those books where you pick up odd little random facts such as:
* what really...more
It's a fun fast read and it's one of those books where you pick up odd little random facts such as:
* what really...more
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
Southwestern residents, those intrigued by magical realism
I read this book as part of a Southwestern Literature class I was taking. Upon first reading the book I hated it. I know that personally I have a bit of trouble suspending my disbelief particularly with magical realism.
I didn't appreciate the characters or the story until we discussed it later in class. And although I haven't come to love the book I have come to understand it better.
There are some very touching moments in the book. I particularly was moved by the story of Fe and her work...more
I didn't appreciate the characters or the story until we discussed it later in class. And although I haven't come to love the book I have come to understand it better.
There are some very touching moments in the book. I particularly was moved by the story of Fe and her work...more
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
Chicano Literature Lovers
I've been reading a lot of great books lately, and unfortunately, I would not consider this to be one of them. This was required reading in a representations of women in literature class, and I didn't read the whole thing back then, but liked what I had read enough to make me want to go back to it after class. It took a couple of years, and now I know why. The reading was dry, and a little too mystical for me to get in to. I do think Ana Castillo is a very talented author, and she developed ...more
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
people who need a reminder that anything they do is ok, just stay sincere
"so far from god, so close to the united states" - Porfirio Diaz
This book was like talking the author- she writes in a mixture of Spanish and English, and doesn't mind if you don't understand. I read this for Southwest Lit in Durango, CO, and loved the book, hated what we did with it in the class. I think I could have received an A for spilling PBR on the back of a receipt from the porn shop and passing it off as my essay. This book deserves more- or maybe that's exactly what it...more
This book was like talking the author- she writes in a mixture of Spanish and English, and doesn't mind if you don't understand. I read this for Southwest Lit in Durango, CO, and loved the book, hated what we did with it in the class. I think I could have received an A for spilling PBR on the back of a receipt from the porn shop and passing it off as my essay. This book deserves more- or maybe that's exactly what it...more
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Read in October, 2007
Castillo's writing is fast and quick with a hodge-podge of fantastic code-switching and pop Chicano cultural references. The story sometimes went all over the place, but even that suited the off-the-hip style. There's something about Castillo's writing -- it hooks me, and it's an easy, interesting read. I think that maybe more than her books, I am falling in love with Ana Castillo herself. Her voice is very strong, and I imagine her out there in the world, with clear, sharp eyes and a deep l...more
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
everyone, but especially those who can suspend their disbelief
I love reading magic realism, and this novel is a nice introduction to the genre, mainly because it's crazy and supernatural and strange, but not exceedingly so. It's funny, too. I mean, it's more of a drama than a comedy, but there are so many funny little bits thrown in the narrative that can easily be skipped over, if the reader's not careful.
The story is tragic, but in a supernatural way, so it's not really that sad. This novel is hard to describe... but I highly recommend it.
The story is tragic, but in a supernatural way, so it's not really that sad. This novel is hard to describe... but I highly recommend it.
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Read in July, 2008
"So Far From God" reads like an oral narrative, with the way it adds Spanish words and phrases to the English, the way it skips back and forth in time, has many rambling asides, and follows the lives of the family. Rambling asides usually drive me nuts, but it worked since the narrative voice was so compelling, and the novel felt more like listening to someone tell a story instead of a literary story. But I had to take it in small doses. I think it's worth the read.
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Read in July, 2005
one of those books you can totally escape into. in this manner, my kind of book.
this book is chicana, feminist, and gay-positive. it's pretty radical. it has a charming, wonderful story. it's in the genre of magical realism, literature category from latin american which uses magic and ridiculous events to say something important about reality. oh, the book has many spanish words so if you don't know spanish, get a dictionary (or an online dictionary).
this book is chicana, feminist, and gay-positive. it's pretty radical. it has a charming, wonderful story. it's in the genre of magical realism, literature category from latin american which uses magic and ridiculous events to say something important about reality. oh, the book has many spanish words so if you don't know spanish, get a dictionary (or an online dictionary).
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Read in March, 2006
i read this for a class an instantly fell in love with it. after the class was over and i had more free time, i read it over again. the plot moves very quick and is heavy with allegory so the second time was better because i could wrap my mind around it more thoroughly. it can, however, be hard to read at times if you don't know spanish because it is woven throughout the book. but even with that tripping me up i thought it is a beautiful story.
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Read in October, 2006
Castillo touches upon a number of themes tied to environmental justice and feminism in this novel. Her female characters are often depicted as very strong people, fighting against exploitive men, politics, and corporations. And when she combines magical realism with spiritual traditions, you end up with women who resemble goddesses in a catholic and Mayan religious tradition synergism.
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As a chicana originally from New Mexico, I highly identify with the voice and language Castillo uses to create her dynamic charaters and setting. However, those not familiar with the author or with the genre of magical realism may want to stay away from this one.
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This book is an astounding mix of chicana culture, magical realism, and flawlessly interwoven action, morals, and relationships. There's sparkling humor and the characters are real - all feels real, even what you can't imagine. Very fun and special.
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I love that this book brings in traditions such as the curandera and mal de ojo and other milagros. This book combines the best of several worlds and peers into cultures in a humorous and poignant way.
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I liked it, but I don't think many other people would. It jumps around, which is typical of Hispanic literature, and it mixes reality and fantasy. If you are a patient reader, it's a good choice.
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Ah, Ana Castillo. She makes me weep, she makes me dream.
Long ago, I read "Peel My Love Like an Onion" which is still my favorite. You'll love her use of language, history and imagery.
Long ago, I read "Peel My Love Like an Onion" which is still my favorite. You'll love her use of language, history and imagery.
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The symbolism is a little in your face but the text is powerfully portrays the tragedy of 4 sisters who die brutal deaths-- "so close to the United States, and so far from god."
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Beautiful, but I might be biased since I love Latin American literature and anything that seems just a little bit magic realism-ish.
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Read in February, 2004
recommends it for:
women from new mexico
Always a favorite. Some of my favorite things:
- magical realism
- politics
- women
- sisters
- New Mexico
Awesome!!
- magical realism
- politics
- women
- sisters
- New Mexico
Awesome!!
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About a Mexican-American family living in the southwest and the fate of the three very different daughters. Magic-realism.
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone
I am enjoying this book very much. Ana Castillo uses magic realism to describe a very interesting family in New Mexico
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 3.97 (316 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 3.97 (266 ratings) number of reviews: 38popular shelves
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quote
"...something about giving himself over to a woman was worse than having lunch with the devil..."
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