The Meaning of Consuelo: A Novel (Bluestreak)

Consuelo is a serious, contemplative 14-year-old girl who observes her family slowly crumbling as tragedia looms. Her father is a typical macho with women on the side. Her mother is una sufrida, the suffering wife with her cross to bear. Mami clings to the island and its traditional culture but Papi prefers the progress and new inventiveness that America is bringing to Puerto Rico. Consuelo's little sister Mili is the lively, social one of the family. But as she grows older she begins speaking to herself in a made-up language, escaping into inner trances, and wandering off. Her parents deny that anything is seriously wrong, that somewhere there is a cure. Meanwhile, Consuelo's solace is her cousin Patricio with whom she plays and show more confides. But it's suspected among the gossips that he is gay, and soon his father moves the two of them to NYC. Consuelo later embarks on an ill-fated romance and becomes the subject of scorn and gossip at school. She eventually derives strength from being the faluna, the outsider in her own family and at school, and recognizes that she must forge her own path away from Puerto Rico. After her sister's drowning, Consuelo prepares to leave for New York to stay with her uncle. Very strong sense of island and culture, lovingly portrayed. show less

A young Puerto Rican girl, Consuelo, tells stories about her family and neighborhood and about taking care of her outgoing younger sister. Her best friend is her oddball male cousin who moves to New York City with his father. While her whole family focuses on her adulterous father and socially stunted sister, Consuelo falls between the cracks. I felt heartbroken for Consuelo and frustrated with her distracted parents and cruel classmates. It was well written and interesting, but not one that will stick with me forever.

The Meaning of Consuelo is a coming-of-age novel about a girl named Consuelo who is growing up in Puerto Rico. Consuelo explores her role within her family (as a woman, a sister, a daughter) as well as her role in a greater society. Coming-of-age novels are easy for students to relate to since they are coming-of-age themselves. Consuelo provides a strong female character in a culture which is different from the suburban or urban, American one that many students will be accustomed to, exposing them to diverse cultural experiences, as well as demonstrating that individuals of vastly different cultures can still think and feel the same way.