Cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans the. Nov 23, 2014 rich fahle interviews author cristina henriquez about her novel, the book of unknown americans at miami book fair international 2014. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. The book of unknown americans study guide contains a biography of christina henriquez, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Arturo and alma rivera have lived their whole lives in mexico. Alma in the first chapter, narrated from the perspective of alma, we learn about her journey from mexico to delaware with her husband arturo and her daughter maribel. Acclaimed author cristina henriquez, whose story collection come together, fall apart, was a new york times editors choice selection, is here this evening to read from her new novel, the book of uknown americans. Named a new york times and washington post notable book, an npr great read, the daily beasts novel of the year, and a mother jones, school library journal, and bookpage best book of the year. Get all the key plot points of cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans on one page. One day, their beautiful fifteenyearold daughter, maribel, sustains a terrible injury, one that casts doubt on whether shell ever be the same. This book ripped my heart out and left it on the ground.
Cristina henriquezs novel, the book of unknown americans, captures the immigrant perspective through the lives of several latinos who live in the same apartment complex every character shares a coming to america storyboth the positive and negative experiences of love, racism, economics, and family, along with powerful emotions of guilt and loyalty, friendship, sacrifice. When arturo and alma riveras daughter sustains a terrible injury, they leave behind all theyve ever known in mexico to come to america in search of opportunity and resources. Accordingly, quotes reference the appropriate page numbers as well as paragraph numbers. The book of unknown americans discussion questions.
Cristina henriquezs new novel the book of unknown americans explores the stories of ordinary immigrants stories she believes are too often invisible. The book of unknown americans audiobook by cristina. Click below to download the full study guide for the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans, a novel by cristina.
A novelist of panamanian descent imagines the sweetand bitterreality of coming to america. A novel vintage contemporaries kindle edition by henriquez, cristina. Cristina henriquez talks about her novel the book of unknown americans, about a boy and a girl who fall in love, and two families whose hopes collide with destiny. The story is told from multiple first person points of view. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Complete summary of cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans is a contemporary american novel of latino immigration by cristina henriquez. Cristina henriquez author of the book of unknown americans. Take our free the book of unknown americans quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. She dreams of a house with white shutters and red bricks, with shrubs. When alma rivera arrives in delaware she is full of the promise and possibilities of her new home.
The book of unknown americans book chicago public library. But what we still need to talk about is how fantastic it is on audio. The authors third book of fiction come together, fall apart, 2006. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of unknown americans. The the book of unknown americans community note includes chapterby chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list.
The world in half, 2009 opens with the arrival of arturo and alma rivera, who have brought their teenage daughter, maribel, to the u. The questions, discussion topics, and other material that follow are intended to enhance your groups conversation about cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans, a powerfully honest, unforgettable story of two families, brought together by love and tragedy, each struggling to find their place in a new country. Their journeys and their voices will inspire you, surprise you, and break your heart. Performed by six actors, we meet a striking teenager whose family has left behind their comfortable life in mexico in hopes of getting treatment for her traumatic brain injury in the us. The book of unknown americans vintage contemporaries. The book of unknown americans summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. The book of unknown americans summary from litcharts the. Hope that her daughter maribel will be helped by the specialist support us education can provide, and faith that her husband arturo will flourish in a country that celebrates the hardworking. It was the daily beast novel of the year, a washington post notable book, an npr great read, a target book of the month selection, and was chosen one of the best books of the year by. During our discussion of the book of unknown americans by christina henriquez, three themes quickly stood out.
Cristina henriquezs new novel, the book of unknown americans, works to bridge this gap by exposing the immigrant experience in first person, giving voice to those who are frequently spoken about or spoken for without actually being spoken to. Named a new york times and washington post notable book, an npr great read, the daily beasts novel of the year, and a mother jones, school library journal, and bookpage best book of the year when fifteenyearold maribel rivera sustains a terrible injury, the riveras leave behind a comfortable life in mexico and risk everything to come to the. Jul 11, 2014 in cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans, an array of characters from latin america talk directly about their reasons for coming to the united states. This 36page guide for the book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 28 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis.
Cristina henriquez on the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans has already gotten heaps of love and praise. Jul 07, 2014 the unknowns who cristina henriquez pictures in her novel, the book of unknown americans, are those who come from south of the united states border. May 30, 2014 cristina henriquezs new novel the book of unknown americans explores the stories of ordinary immigrants stories she believes are too often invisible. Alma describes the ways in which america surprises and disappoints her. Suspenseful, wry and immediate, rich in spirit and humanity, the book of unknown americans is a work of rare force and originality. This study guide specifically refers to the 2014 borzoi book alfred a.
And so, leaving all they have behind, the riveras come to america with a single dream. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez summary. But life without status, money, family and friends soon becomes unmanageable and violent. The book of unknown americans is a novel by american writer cristina henriquez, published in 2014. Alternating points of view bring to life nine families living in a dingy apartment. Features 28 chapter summaries and 5 sections of expert analysis. This book has left me in awe and feeling the need to read it over and over again until my heart is in minuscule pieces. This study guide specifically refers to the 2014 borzoi bookalfred a.
Knopf hardcover edition, sixth printing, january 2015. Alma in cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans. It was the daily beast novel of the year, a washington post notable book, an npr great read, a target book of the month selection, and was chosen one of the best books of the year by bookpage, and school library journal. The book of unknown americans is a stunning novel of hopes and dreams, guilt and lovea book that offers a resonant new definition of what it means to be american. Cristina henriquez is the author of the book of unknown americans, which was a new york times notable book of 2014 and one of amazons top 10 books of the year. Cristina henriquez is the author of the book of unknown americans, which was a new york times notable book of 2014 and one of amazons 10 best books of the year.
The book of unknown americans is a deeply stirring story about a budding romance between two unlikely lovers, but it is also a ringing paean to love in general. It tells the story of recent immigrants to the united states from latin america. With characters that you feel like you have become a part of, all the details mix to make something utterly breathtaking. Jun 05, 2014 when alma rivera arrives in delaware she is full of the promise and possibilities of her new home. The unknowns who cristina henriquez pictures in her novel, the book of unknown americans, are those who come from south of the united states border. The book of unknown americans, by cristina henriquez the. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez goodreads.
This passionate, powerful novel will stay with you long after youve turned the. Jun 03, 2014 their journeys and their voices will inspire you, surprise you, and break your heart. The book of unknown americans, a novel by cristina henriquez. Cristina henriquez is the author of the widely acclaimed novel the book of unknown americans, which has been called, a flawlessly written book about immigration. Cristina henriquez talks the book of unknown americans. Jun 03, 2014 a family from mexico settles in delaware and strives to repair emotional and physical wounds in henriquezs dramatic pageturner. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez. The book of unknown americans cristina henriquez, 2014 knopf doubleday 304 pp.
Cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. The book of unknown americans is a 2014 novel by cristina henriquez published by knopf. This ambitious story about hispanic tenants in a rundown apartment building is lit by sharp observations, but its a pity none of the characters. The the book of unknown americans community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list. Aug 27, 2014 a dazzling, heartbreaking pageturner destined for breakout status. The book of unknown americans by hola october 18, 2014 cristina henriquez s novel, the book of unknown americans, captures the immigrant perspective through the lives of several latinos who live in the same apartment complex. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez, 9780804191425, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Jun 24, 2014 the book of unknown americans is a deeply stirring story about a budding romance between two unlikely lovers, but it is also a ringing paean to love in general. A dazzling, heartbreaking pageturner destined for breakout status. The book of unknown americans summary and study guide. Henriquez brings to life the varied human stories behind the ongoing debate about immigration through the eyes of characters from all over latin. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez supersummary supersummary on. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez, as can be inferred from the title, details the lives of several people living in the united states from their unique perspectives. Cristina henriquez on the book of unknown americans at miami.