Tom Lynch

One thing is for certain--Chicago native Sandra Cisneros has nothing to prove. The author/poet has already succeeded in winning hearts for her much-acclaimed novel, "The House on Mango Street," and now, with her newest effort, "Caramelo," she is driven to conquer again. The centerpiece of her opus is Lala Reyes, a Mexican-American girl tied to her family's history, and the text penetrates the border that protects the Reyes family, one with a past, present, and hopeful future. Cisneros' writing is undeniably instinctive; she initially invites her readers inside of her characters' heads, but pulls back just at the right time to grant the experience some levity. She strays away from unnecessary sentimentality, and her quirky devices keep the humor fresh and never overbearing. Cisneros captures a true family, one that is not a stranger to crisis and tragedy, or inside jokes and concern.

Sandra Cisneros reads from "Caramelo" Oct 20 at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State, (312)747-4300, at 6pm.

(2003-10-16)

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