In the last third of Sonia Nazario's book, Enrique's Journey, it seems like her tone appears blunt, clear, and loyal. It seems like as soon as Enrique rejoices with his mother, a resolution is at close at hand. I expected a happy and content close to Enrique's journey in which "They all lived happily ever after" but sadly the story continued and the light descended to darkness. Throughout the majority of Enrique's life, he had wished to be with his mother. Finally that day came, however, what was supposed to be the best moment of his life turned rotten. Enrique went back to making the bad decisions he had once made when times got rough. He turned to drugs and alcohol to get away from the disappointment in himself, from his mother, and the disappointment in his mother. Sonia Nazario seems irritated at lots of things throughout Enrique's journey. Towards the end of the book, her irritated tone is more noticeable. Enrique had been staying and living with his mother, Lourdes, for about two years, and one night Lourdes just had enough of him. They fought and yelled at each other and Enrique said, "I don't love you as if you were my mother. I love my grandmother." "I gave birth to you." "That's not my fault!" (217). Even then, a few moments later Enrique tells his mother, "I have a secret to tell you: I love you" (217). This quick change of feelings and harsh words frustrates me but it seems as if Sonia Nazario loves Enrique just as Lourdes loves Enrique. Nazario's devotion and passion for the story of Enrique must have created a strong connection and empathy for Enrique. Although he says terrible things, inhales paint thinner, and stays out late and comes home drunk there is no tone of irritant but mostly loyalty and love towards Enrique.
Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario was a very intriguing book. Her style of incorporating details and facts and quotes and interviews but also carrying on with the journey of Enrique was fascinating. One thing I did't really like at times was her over use of mini side stories, facts, interviews, and statistics. At times I do agree, they were perfect and were beneficial to the story. At times, they gave us a better grasp on the story and really brought it to life. But most of the time I was just interested in Enrique's Journey, not the interviews she conducted. I think she should have made a separate part, maybe even an extra book, of her journey and everything she learned. I would have enjoyed it more if it was just Enrique's story.
I agree with you Jonah. It seemed a though in the last 3rd of the book, all of the idealism and fantasies that drew Enrique and Lourdes together seem to melt away, leaving behind only the harsh reality of their situations. Enrique is a recovering drug addict who is prone to relapse, anger, and thoughtlessness. He does not take into account the repercussions that his actions will have on the lives of others before doing them, and I think he fiercely desires the amount of freedom and self-reliance that he experienced on the trains. He puts his independence before his family, and he ends up alienating them further. However, it is clear Enrique loves his mother, and is rebelling against her only because she is there to be rebelled against. Enrique is eventually able to pull himself out of his rebellious rut, and in doing this he truly shows that he has come into his adulthood.
ReplyDeletei definitely agree with the statement about the book not being your favorite, the author could have done a better job making the story more about Enrique and less about other immigrants. The book had lots of potential to be an extremely suspenseful story, but it seems the author decided to tell the story a different way. I personally enjoy suspense stories, it makes me want to read more (given that i am not a big reader) and could have gotten many more people who don't necessarily enjoy books to read and enjoy this one. Very well pointed out.
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