In this novel, Erika L Sanchez’s detailed depiction of Mexican-American culture makes allows the reader to sympathize with the story and characters in a unique way. The novel I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter was written in 2017 by Mexican-American author and poet Erika L. Sanchez. In the novel, the protagonist faces the challenges and pressure of growing up under the influences of traditional Mexican cultural values and customs in the midst of a xenophobic American environment. As a first-generation Mexican-American with undocumented parents, the protagonist finds herself constantly trying to find balance between two extremely different aspects of her life, a struggle which only exacerbates with the unexpected death of the protagonist’s older sister. Although the book’s genre wasn’t exactly what I’m interested in, its depiction of the pressure felt from being raised by Mexican parents in an American community was demonstrated in a very accurate manner. As a member of the Mexican-American community, I found that my experiences were somewhat similar to what the protagonist faced in the novel, which was important. The book also clearly illustrates the struggles of being a minority in a largely white community, making it an eye-opening read for everyone, even if certain people can’t relate to it. However, in terms of language, the book itself is not a challenging read and the quality of language is not the best, and I wish that it had been more in-depth in order to better appreciate its message. Because I’m not interested in romance and drama novels, the book wasn’t my favorite, though anyone who enjoys that genre would definitely enjoy the book. Its message is one that most people will be able to sympathize with or understand, making it worthy of three stars.
Julia A.
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