Hombrecito

Hombrecito is a lyrical, queer coming-of-age story that delves into immigrant identity, familial trauma, and desire. It has a palpable emotional intensity combined with exquisite prose. The novel follows a young narrator, also named Santiago, from his childhood in Ibagué, Colombia, to his life as an immigrant in Miami and, eventually, New York City.
The title ("little man") alludes to the narrator's childhood role as he navigates a complicated relationship with his mother, who frequently "forgets she is a mother" and disappears for long periods of time.
Sanchez's writing is passionate and electrifying. The novel's focus on minute, visceral details—such as the smell of fried plantains or the texture of a mother's dress—is one of its show more greatest strengths. The narrative structure is nonlinear, and it can occasionally feel like a series of photographs rather than a continuous stream of events. Overall, it was a fascinating read. show less

[3.25] This debut coming of age story focuses on a gay immigrant boy who is forced to confront different cultures, difficult familial relationships and his own sexuality. It’s a moving, gritty and graphic read that offers a unique perspective on some complex issues. In an interview conducted shortly after the book’s release, the promising young author aptly described “Hombrecito as “a book about the in-betweenness of identity, place, sexuality and family that people are reading in very different ways.”

I have to agree with some reviews who have described sections of this otherwise compelling book as a tad “clunky,” “disjointed” and “confusing.” The switching points of view will work wonderfully for many readers and show more will be jarring to others. A few elements of the protagonist’s self-discovery odyssey seemed underdeveloped, including his experiences at Yale.

That being said, I look forward to reading future works by this talented author. show less