Macho!

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Last year for my sophomore English class I had to read this book. At first I didn't like the book, but after a few chapters I started to love the book. This year my school was privileged enough to have Victor Villasenor come and speak to my fellow juniors, and some of the sophomore class. Victor Villasenor is a great author and speaker, if you haven't read this book or any of his books, I would suggest reading them !

Jon Pait, 16, TUHS.

Rating:
Summary: To Be a Man
Review: Macho is a Spanish word that means male. But, like the Spanish words masculino and varonil, it has many more connotations than masculine, virile or just designating the male gender. The word macho is also used to describe masculine vigor, verve and fortitude. This book by Victor Villaseor portrays the fascinating story of a Mexican youth's journey to the United States in search of a better life for himself and his family. The young man's passion, pride and burning desire for freedom carry this "coming of age" story. He needs his masculine vigor, verve and fortitude to overcome the trials and tribulations of seeking justice in a "white world" trying to deny his humanity. But, it is Villaseor's description of the experiences of the Mexican farm workers in the Salinas valley, as they seek respect, dignity and the opportunity to make a decent living, that is the real story being told through the tale of a young man striving to be macho.

The Odysseus in this Odyssey is the young man Roberto Garcia. He does not want to pursue his education in a school. He believes that he does not need to know "about those things." The seventeen year old does learn the value of education as he is "coming of age" in Norte America's California. The sights and sounds of the Mexican-American workers are vividly portrayed. The dangers of crossing the border and working their way north to their "land of opportunity" in overcrowded boxcars and locked trucks is accurately told. Despite the hardships of carrying the hopeful workers to their new home, Roberto is not deterred from the journey. A week's wages in California is more than he can earn back home in the Mexican mountains of Michoacan.

The author Villaseor shows the brutality of migrant labor, Cesar Chavez organizing the workers, and the plight of the immigrant experience, as seen through the eyes of young Roberto. During these experiences Garcia grows up to be a macho man and returns home to save his family.

This story illustrates the ideals of understanding of who we are as a people; and as peoples. The story of the Mexican migrant workers, the illegal immigrants and the Mexican-Americans history has not been adequately told and included in our common history as Americans. History that is not inclusive excludes the rationale of "doing" history. Instead of going "back to the future", we need to go "forward to the past." But the stories of the past have all too often been "white washed". I recommend this work of fiction as an adjunct to our old, tired history books that have been "white washed" in that they exclude the peoples of color. Inclusive history is the story of many different peoples, men and women of various colors contributing to our world, history as it actually is. Enjoy!


Rating:
Summary: Macho
Review: The gut wrenching story of the Mexicans who work in the fields in California. Migrant workers have never had an easy life. Coming from a desperate situation in their homeland to a desperate situation in the fields, where stoop labor pays more than they can earn anywhere else, this novel brings their pathos and courage to the front. Recommended to all who think they know what it is all about. It is not pretty, but stomach hurting food for thought. Highly recommended reading for all that care.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than 'Rain of Gold'
Review: Very good book. Read right through it. Seems very realistic. If you are going to read a book by this author I recommend this one. I read 'Rain of Gold' and couldn't finish it because it was so contrived.