Description
Book SynopsisThis study examines works that address the spatial location of Latinidades, especially Latina, identity by subverting literary history and literary theory through testimonio, hybrid genres, social activism, metafiction, and solidarity.
Trade ReviewThis slim volume deals with women’s exploration of identity in the face of hegemonic structures that seek to limit the way in which gender roles, nationality, and ethnicity are defined. Avoiding impenetrable theoretical discussions, Quinn-Sánchez devotes each of the volume's three sections to different contemporary books—most of them novels, though she also includes testimonio—and how their authors reject, contest, and subvert powerful constructs of 'space.' In doing so, she follows the theoretical work of Henri Lefebvre . . . who 'explains how space primarily functions to oppress those considered as inferior by society in an attempt to control the possibility of actual verifiable social change.' The spaces examined include, among others, the Garden of Eden (in Gioconda Belli's El infinito en la palma de la mano), the barrio (Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street), and the borderlands (Ana Maria Castilllo's The Guardians), along with imagined and futuristic spaces that allow new forms of freedom and solidarity for women and their communities. Quinn-Sánchez challenges artificial boundaries by including both Latina and Latin American women, and she emphasizes her desire not just to work in the literary sphere but to connect texts to real-world identity issues and human rights. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers. * CHOICE *
Kathryn Quinn-Sánchez’s book, Identity in Latin American and Latina Literature: The Struggle to Self-Define In a Global Era Where Space, Capitalism, and Power Rule, is a critical addition to scholarship on Latin American and Latino Literature because it seeks to find a commonality of discussion across borders and races rather than limiting her analysis to a single author, region or country. It is always a pleasure to read Dr. Quinn-Sánchez work because of her ability to make connections between seemingly disparate topics, and to analyze texts and themes critically in a clear, interesting way. -- Michele Shaul, Queens University of Charlotte
Quinn-Sánchez’s timely study continues the conversation started by Anzaldúa’s seminal work on the culture of borderlands and interrogates the systems of power inherent in language and space. More importantly, she urges us to read and re-read Chicana subjectivities as decisive actions of individual agency to “reject, contest, and subvert” imposed definitions of self, nations-states, and other spaces. -- Pamela J. Rader, Georgian Court University
Table of ContentsTable of Contents Introduction. Section I. REJECT Chapter 1. Rejecting Eden’s Limits/Choosing Freedom: Belli’s El infinito en la palma de la mano Chapter 2. Rejecting Labels/Choosing Hope through Self-Definition: Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street Chapter 3. Rejecting Failed Hegemony: Capitalism and Borderland Violence in Ana Castillo’s The Guardians Chapter 4. Rejecting National Mores/There is No Country for Homosexuals: Cherríe Moraga’s The Hungry Woman Section II. CONTEST Chapter 5. Contesting Love as Defined by Popular Culture/Redefining Self-Love: Denise Chávez’ Loving Pedro Infante Chapter 6. Contesting the Nation-State’s Reach for Power: Marcela Serrano’s La llorona Chapter 7. Contesting Traditional Patriarchal Definitions of Theory: Norma E. Cantú’s Canícula Chapter 8. Contesting Anglo-Feminism and Academic Space/Redefining the Academy from Within: Telling to Live, Latina Feminist Testimonios Section III. SUBVERT Chapter 9. Subverting Patriarchy, the Nation-State and Redefining Society: Gioconda Belli’s El País de las mujeres Chapter 10. Subverting HIStory, Space and Power: Conclusions Selected Bibliography Index About the author
