Vanessa Angelica Villarreal

Insightful and heartfelt, Magical/Realism is part memoir and part social/cultural/historical commentary, The memoir portions are non-linear, with the author reflecting on her father’s musical career in some detail. Her own struggles are not, unlike some other memoirs, painfully personal (which can be difficult to read) but enough to make my heart ache.

Colonization, patriarchy, toxic masculinity, the immigrant experience (uprooting, disenfranchisement), have snowball effects that show more reverberate down the generations.

It’s hard not to empathize with those who are marginalized and discriminated against through no fault of their own. Epigenetics and generational trauma play a huge part in our lives, in the form of family patterns and dynamics that affect us both consciously and unconsciously.

The author’s insights into pop culture – media and video games in particular – are fascinating and enlightening.

While it’s true that we all look at the world through lenses that are moulded by our background and upbringing, it is always eye-opening to look at the world through someone else’s lens. This is how we build empathy.

Intelligent and superbly written, this is one of the best books I’ve read in years. I hope more people get to read it. show less

What a unique and captivating book. The book is autobiographical but like none other that I have read. This is a really intelligent author with a vast amount of knowledge on a plethora of subjects but her story is firmly rooted int her Mexican/American heritage which she holds dear. She has had many negative things happen to her in her life but uses popular culture including literature, poetry. movies, television shows and even gaming to give her meaning and strength. The Game of Thrones show more series is particularly meaning full to her and she has a unusual take on it. show less

This book was tough for me. Sarah picked it for my Poetry Seminar to read. It’s one of the most exciting books of poetry I’ve read in its use of the page but nothing connects...it feels like streams of language. I just can’t find that radical. Or I can. I can’t make myself radical enough to connect with it. The recurring images and the ideas of the book are so great but I just can’t gain the access I crave as a reader. A Field of Onions: Brown Study is one of the best poems I’ve show more read in recent years though. show less

I just couldn't get into it and pay attention to the audiobook.

For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:

https://youtube.com/shorts/KdCu8Ekf3l8?feature=share

Enjoy!