Noche Buena: Hispanic American Christmas Stories
Nicolas Kanellos
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
5.70 (w) x 8.60 (h) x 1.50 (d)
Pages
384
Publisher
Oxford University Press, USA
Publication Date
November 2000
ISBN
9780195135275
Book ISBN 10
019513527X
About Book
Noche Buena brings us all the magic of the Christmas season as seen through the eyes of the Hispanic Americans who celebrate it. Christmas is a universal story, and many of the images here are recognizable across cultures. We hear and see proud, joyful singing; the adoration of the Infant Jesus; and the peaceful strains of "Adeste Fidelis." But we also connect with the rich traditions and legends specific to Hispanic culture, such as the celebration of the posadas for nine nights leading up to Christmas, with candy raining down from colorful swinging pinatas, eggshells filled with confetti, and beautiful paper lanterns crafted to illuminate the town on Christmas Eve. In "The Legend of the Poinsettia" we learn of a poor child who, embarrassed by the modesty of his gift for the Christ Child, shed tears on the dull green leaves of the familiar plant, miraculously transforming them to a brilliant red. And we witness hopeful children singing "If You Give Me Meat Pies," asking for the reward of warm meat pies and rice pudding in return for their sweet caroling.
Reviews
Thirty-six inspiring literary selections comprise this enchanting collection of works from Mexican, Colombian, Cuban, and Puerto Rican writers -- writers who represent the range of Hispanic minority groups in the United States. Through these stories, traditional tales, songs, and poems, readers gain a true understanding of the importance of the Christmas holiday within the Hispanic community and begin to grasp the issues that inform the Hispanic American creative process -- issues such as communal identity, patriotism, poverty, assimilation, and religion. With vivid illustrations and original Spanish text for all poetry, this fascinating anthology will inform readers of all cultural backgrounds and give them the opportunity to celebrate this cherished time with a newly extended family.
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