A dazzling, heartbreaking pageturner destined for breakout status. The book of unknown americans is ultimately a hopeful book about the pursuit of happiness, whatever the source of the misery left behind. In addition to telling the story of the rivera and toro families, the plot is interwoven with brief testimonials from other neighbors, each of whom came from a different latin american country and. Cristina henriquez s the book of unknown americans gives a powerful and moving glimpse into the immigrant experience for many latin american people. Cristina henriquez on the book of unknown americans.
The book of unknown american, by cristina henriquez is a story about immigrants from latin america. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. 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. Though i can see potential problems with adding many more people to our population, i believe that immigrants are a vital part of both the american economy and culture. Reading immigration with the book of unknown americans by. The book of unknown americans summary 1072 words bartleby. They are heading to delaware, where arturo, a former construction site manager, has taken a job growing mushrooms. But what we still need to talk about is how fantastic it is on audio. And so, leaving all they have behind, the riveras come to america with a single dream. I considered myself a feminist before i even needed a training bra, so its been second nature to me to gravitate toward books written by women. 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 seeks to show lives of immigrants which counter these common misconceptions by sharing realistic immigrant stories. The questions, discussion topics, and other material that follow are intended to enhance your groups conversation about cristina henriquez s 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.
The book of unknown americans summary and study guide. The book of unknown americans, a novel by cristina. The story is told from multiple first person points of view. The book of unknown americans is a contemporary american novel of latino immigration by cristina henriquez. That declaration bluntly articulates the theme of the book of unknown americans, as does the novels choral structure made up of firstperson reminiscences from an array of characters. Instant downloads of all 1297 litchart pdfs including the book of unknown americans. The book of unknown americans has already gotten heaps of love and praise. The daily beast named it the 2014 novel of the year. Arturo and alma rivera bring their teenage daughter, maribel, across the mexicou. There are some side stories about other immigrants who live in the same apartment building with these two families.
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. Othering in the book of unknown americans by cristina. The book of unknown americans by cristina nunez summary 848 words 4 pages. The book of unknown americans audiobook by cristina. The book of unknown americans cristina henriquez, 2014 knopf doubleday 304 pp. The book of unknown americans by christina henriquez is a 2014 knopf publication. The book of unknown americans npr coverage of the book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez. About the author cristina henriquez is the author of the story collection come together, fall apart, which was a new york times editors choice selection, and. The book of unknown americans is less about the actual trek of its characters than about how they settle in, make do and figure things out. 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. This ambitious story about hispanic tenants in a rundown apartment. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the book of unknown americans by christina henriquez.
Maribel has been involved in a mysterious accident and has suffered a traumatic brain injury which has left her with a flat emotional affect and number of impairments, such as shortterm memory loss and difficulty remembering certain words. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez plot. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez reading. One day, their beautiful fifteenyearold daughter, maribel, sustains a terrible injury, one that casts doubt on whether shell ever be the same. Our teacher edition on the book of unknown americans can help. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez tells the story of several latin american immigrants living in an apartment building in delaware. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez writes about a family that comes to the u. Arturo and alma rivera have lived their whole lives in mexico. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez, 9780345806406, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
This teaching note describes using the book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez to spark critical inquiry about immigration in developmental english and composition courses at a new york. Get all the key plot points of cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans on one page. The book of unknown americans is a 2014 novel by cristina henriquez published by knopf. Ive been looking to expand my reading repertoire lately, so while browsing through the literary offerings, i. The novel primarily revolves around a romance between two latino teenagers maribel rivera from mexico, and a mayor toro from panama and how maribel and her family handle living in a. In this spirit, the characters in cristina henriquezs new novel, the book of unknown americans, have come to the united states. 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. Cristina henriquezs book of unknown americans the new york. Coping with conflicting identities in the book of unknown americans. 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. 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. Her work has appeared in the new yorker, the atlantic, the. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez. In addition to telling the story of the rivera and toro families, the plot is interwoven with brief testimonials from other neighbors, each of whom came from a different latin american country and experienced different struggles and happinesses upon arriving in america.
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. Cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans the new. The book of unknown americans by cristina henriquez goodreads. The heart of the story revolves around two families, the riveras and the toros. They talk to one another, give advice and lend a hand. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Mexico border legally with her husband, arturo, and her daughter, maribel. The authors third book of fiction come together, fall apart, 2006. The world in half, 2009 opens with the arrival of arturo and alma rivera, who have brought their teenage daughter, maribel, to the u.
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. Suspenseful, wry and immediate, rich in spirit and humanity, the book of unknown americans is a work of rare force and originality. One day, their beautiful fifteenyearold daughter, maribel, sustains a terrible injury, one that casts doubt on whether shell ever be. This article was originally published in the june 2014 issue of bookpage. The book of unknown americans begins with a vivid vision of promise. Cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans gives a powerful and moving glimpse into the immigrant experience for many latin american people.
In cristina henriquezs the book of unknown americans, an array of characters from latin america talk directly about their reasons for. Maribel has been involved in a mysterious accident and has. The book of unknown americans essays are academic essays for citation. Jami attenberg, author of the middlesteins some of the characters in the book of unknown americans were born in the united states, others came as adults or were brought here from central and south america. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. The book of unknown americans summary from litcharts the. Their journeys and their voices will inspire you, surprise you, and break your heart. Cristina henriquez author of the book of unknown americans.