This is actually a great book about boy-girl twins, age 12, living in Mexicali. They are best friends. But now they are starting 7th grade and [image]
This is actually a great book about boy-girl twins, age 12, living in Mexicali. They are best friends. But now they are starting 7th grade and Teresa will be going to Catholic school in Calexico across the border. Fernando will be staying in Mexico.
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Fernando is upset that his sister is moving away from him, both emotionally and by going to another school.
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While Teresa is studious, hard-working, and getting more religious - the friend Fernando makes at school is a bit shady and rough. (view spoiler)[After being 'friends' with Fernando for a few months, he asks him if "he's cool" and introduces him to marijuana. Then he asks Fernando to hold drugs for him. Near the end of the book, his 'friend' Alex, beats the shit out of him because Fernando lost the weed and owes him money. Teresa, panicked, pays Alex with the money she had been raising for charity. (hide spoiler)] Alex hates America and gringos with a vitriolic passion, and his hateful rhetoric stains Fernando and his relationship. Alex, although not a likeable character, is also fleshed out as we get hints that he has 'another family' north of the border and perhaps some half-white siblings.
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Pimienta does a great job of showing the twins' lives side by side. Most pages feature one twin's life on the left side and the other's on the right. Although the twins are very close, love each other deeply, and both are expected to work for their parents (as in chores) - you can see Fernando has an easier time of it being a boy. He plays a lot of videogames, rarely studies, and has his own room. Meanwhile, Teresa has been sleeping on a futon on the floor for two years waiting for her own room that her parents promised her. She studies non-stop and is still expected to do many chores (to be fair, Fernando is expected to do a lot of housework as well).
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HIGHLIGHTS: Great artwork. Kind of a unique style, but it grows on you.
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Great sibling relationship (although choppy for the main portion of the book), the twins truly are very close and love each other very much. Siblings are blood and have your back, is the message. Even though you may fight or disagree about stuff.
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Great portrait of a Mexican family, a snapshot of Mexican culture.
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Realistic showing of how a bully or a predator can befriend people only to exploit them or hurt them viciously.
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Realistic portrayal of how being a good kid is a burden but leads to good outcomes, whereas being a 'bad kid' leads to trouble and getting into situations you oftentimes can't get out of.
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TL;DR - Great book, I'd recommend it to anyone. Illustration of a Mexican family. Illustration of sibling-love and close sibling bonds. Book for anyone interested in twins. Deals with some serious topics, but not a heavy book nor a boring one.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK (view spoiler)[ Luisa Teresa f Goes by Teresa 12 Luis Fernando m Goes by Fernando 12 Tony m Victor m Caro f Martha f Alex m Irma f Maggie f Nadia f Ed m Chely f Laura f (hide spoiler)]...more
"When I tell people I'm a Mexican Jew, they look at me like I told them I'm a Bigfoot who is also a Loch Ness monster." pg. 185
Hudi Mercado is back! T"When I tell people I'm a Mexican Jew, they look at me like I told them I'm a Bigfoot who is also a Loch Ness monster." pg. 185
Hudi Mercado is back! This is the sequel to Chunky. It's a graphic novel about a fictionalized version of the author's childhood.
This year, Hudi is still funny, still making everyone laugh. Despite this, he doesn't have any friends except for his imaginary friend, Chunky. The problem is that his jokes are getting him labeled as a 'troublemaker' with teachers, and worse, the Vice Principal - who paddles students.
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It's 1986 Texas.
Hudi gets sent by his parents to a Jewish summer camp. He's shocked and a bit threatened when he finds out there is ANOTHER funny Jewish Latino at camp - Pepe. But his fears are assuaged when he realizes that he and Pepe really get along well and understand each other. They bond together and challenge the rich, preppy "Joshes" to a prank war. This gets out of hand, though, when it becomes apparent that Pepe has a lot of rage which funnels into criminal (or at least rule-breaking) tendencies.
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It's not often I run into Jewish Latinos in fiction (Hudi is Mexican and Pepe is Colombian), and when I do it is in Children's fiction. Mercado crafts a funny, kind boy who is easygoing and easy to root for.
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It's also interesting to see and address what happens once a kid is labeled 'bad' - a hard label to escape and one that carries a lot of judgment and consequences. Similar themes can be found in the excellent classic There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom. Chunky doesn't have a mean bone in his body - a contrast with most books involving 'bad boys,' but his sense of humor (defense mechanism and passion) can sometimes rub people the wrong way, or give the wrong impression - especially to adults. He even gets accused of being in a 'Mexican gang,' a concept so ludicrous to anyone who even knows the bare minimum about this kid. He takes it all in stride. As I said in my review of the first book, even though this kid has plenty of reason to be angry, hurt, and lash out, he never does. Unlike his new friend Pepe.
TL;DR Interesting book, I feel like Hudi is genuinely funny and relatable. Kids will enjoy it. The imaginary friend character is completely unnecessary and has nothing really to do with the plot. It's more about what to do if you have a friend whom you feel loyal to but who makes bad decisions, dealing with being profiled and bullied due to your ethnicity, and how some people use humor to cope with life.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK (view spoiler)[ Hudi m Yehudi Chunky � imaginary friend John m Jessica f Jeff m Jeannine f Pete m Susan f Biz f Wynnie f Yoni f Jennifer f Rachel f Laura f Allison f Shanna f Jenny f Rach f Lauren f Allie f Shanda f Josh m Golan m Freddy m Lonnie m Warren m Pepe m Lewis m Ricky m Adam m Loui m Sue f Jack m (hide spoiler)]...more
"Yeah! Baseball! Babe Ruth was pretty fat and HE was good at baseball. You're going to have to clear some room for ALL THE TROPHIES I'm gonna win." pg"Yeah! Baseball! Babe Ruth was pretty fat and HE was good at baseball. You're going to have to clear some room for ALL THE TROPHIES I'm gonna win." pg. 26
This is a book about a Mexican Jewish boy named Hudi Mercado (obviously a fictionalized tale of the author's own childhood). He's fat, and his doctor says he has to lose weight. His parents insist he sign up for a sport, even though Hudi is clumsy and reminds his parents he always ends up getting injured when he tries to play sports. (He even gets injured frequently in his non-sport daily life.) Hudi lives in Texas.
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Hudi is generally good-natured. He rolls with the punches. He's less angry and depressed than I'd expect a kid to be who is treated this way. He wants to go into comedy and he fantasizes about being on SNL all the time. He's a great kid.
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Hudi's parents aren't bad people, but they don't really have a nuanced approach to Hudi's being fat. The doctors tell them he has to lose weight, so they sign him up for sports. (view spoiler)[It's only later in the book it dawns on them that perhaps there are some downsides to this attitude. (hide spoiler)] Hudi is missing a lung - there's a wicked scar across his back. He fantasizes that he lost it in a ninja fight, but in reality they had to cut out one of his lungs after an infection. His parents are not fat, his mom is 'normal weight' and his dad is quite buff. His younger sisters are 'normal' weight. He's the only fat one. His mom also casually says stuff about how "my dress doesn't fit so this entire family is going on a diet." And etc.
The description on this book makes it seem like this is a book about having an imaginary friend. Actually, Chunky - that's the imaginary friend's name, the monster's name - isn't really integral to the plot. You could theoretically ignore him and get the same story. But I guess imaginary friends make things more exciting for child readers.
ANYWAY. Hudi cycles through sports, injuring himself in each one after cheerfully and bravely playing every single one. It's only at the end of the book, when he tries football that he 'succeeds' at sports. Recruited by a coach who says stuff like, "You wanna be a football player? Or you wanna put on makeup and tights?" (in regards to Hudi's desperate wish to join drama). (view spoiler)[You'd think his parents would be thrilled, but their wish being granted means their sweet son starts turning into an aggressive, violent football player, egged on by his coach who reminds me of John Kreese. STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY! His parents are now having second thoughts. (hide spoiler)]
One thing that strikes me about this book is how sunny Hudi is, especially given the way people treat him. I expect jeers from peers, but the adults in the novel are so snide to him. E.g., a nurse - a fucking NURSE - says to him, "SOMEONE likes having seconds." Hudi doesn't even respond. Or his baseball coach has this conversation with him:
HUDI: "I have to get on base if I want to get pizza. PROMISES were made."
BASEBALL COACH: "Kid, you should NEVER EAT PIZZA EVER AGAIN." pg. 51
None of this seems to make Hudi angry and depressed. If I were him, I'd be angry and depressed. I'm good-natured, but there's limits.
And it's absolutely disgraceful that no matter what sport Hudi joins, they don't have shirts that fit him. Disgraceful. And really weird. I'm certain there's other fat kids in the school. Again, doesn't faze the kid at all.
I love Mercado's fake movie posters on page 72. The one called HANUKKAH COPS: 8 NIGHTS OF DANGER is particularly hilarious.
I like the Spanish in the book.
Hudi makes most grown-ups and other kids laugh. He's pretty chill and funny. Almost unbelievably chill and funny. Mercado doesn't get dark with this. Hudi doesn't start developing an eating disorder or get consumed by rage and/or depression. The worst thing that happens is that (view spoiler)[ Hudi is accepted and cheered at football, specifically for his size and power to hurt other players, with his Kreese coach cheering him on every step of the way. It scares Hudi's parents. They finally let him try out for Drama. (hide spoiler)]
TL; DR An interesting graphic novel for children. I'd recommend it. It's good to see cheerful representation of fat people, and it's good to see Mexican Jewish representation here. Mercado doesn't dumb down or hide any of these aspects of Hudi's existence, despite ignoring the darker consequences that can spring up from a kid facing this kind of environment. It's... interesting that Mercado went with an imaginary friend plot. Not that I mind the imaginary friend, but he (it?) was pretty low-key and seems just to be here to add a 'fun' element for the kids. I'm an adult, so please take my analysis with a grain of salt. Cheerful book with a happy ending.
HUDI: "Ronald's team is the Dragons. That's so much cooler than the Colts. Isn't Colt a gun?" CHUNKY: "I think it's a horse." pg. 40
NAMES IN THIS BOOK: (view spoiler)[ Hudi m Yehudi Wynnie f Yoni f Chunky m Sunny m Ronald m Burt m George m Leo m Jorge m The General m (hide spoiler)]...more
Every human is a magician, and we can either put a spell on someone with our word or we can release someone from a spell. We cast spells all the time Every human is a magician, and we can either put a spell on someone with our word or we can release someone from a spell. We cast spells all the time with our opinions. An example: I see a friend and give him an opinion that just popped into my mind. I say, "Hmmm! I see that kind of color in your face in people who are going to get cancer." If he listens to the word, and if he agrees, he will have cancer in less than one year. That is the power of the word.
This book is what my mother would have called "woo-woo."
Ah, you mean it's sexy!
LOL No, not that kind of woo-woo. 'Woo-woo' meaning really 'out there' or 'hippie-dippie' or whatever people would call New Age stuff nowadays.
That being said, I think the author's heart is in the right place and I think he touches on some very good topics and advice. He's basically teaching the reader Buddhism. He doesn't put it that way, but... *shrug*
I'm going to try to boil this down for you and strip out the woo-woo so you can really understand what Ruiz is getting at.
He is basically saying that you should live your life by four agreements:
1.) Be impeccable with your word. This means, basically, don't gossip, spread venom, or hurt others with your words. Because words are powerful and they can really damage people.
Not only are you damaging other people with your hateful/thoughtless words, but you are damaging yourself.
I basically agree with this, although when the author (in the paragraph I opened this review with) basically says I have the power to give people cancer, I am a bit skeptical. o.O ...
2.) Don't take anything personally. People insulting you or trying to make you feel like shit (and sometimes succeeding) are really fucked-up. They are not pointing to you and calling you stupid/ugly/fat/etc. because you really ARE stupid/ugly/fat but because they are fucked-up inside and therefore they are saying hateful things and looking at the world in a skewed way.
Laugh it off. Brush that dirt off your shoulder. Don't take what people say to you personally. It really has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.
I don't FULLY agree with this, but I think in general it's a great concept. Very difficult to do, though. I think it would take a lot of practice to reach this level of zen.
"Whatever people do, feel, think, or say, DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. If they tell you how wonderful you are, they are not saying that because of you. You know you are wonderful. It is not necessary to believe other people who tell you that you are wonderful. Don't take ANYTHING personally. Even if someone got a gun and shot you in the head, it was nothing personal. Even at that extreme.
See? Look at this paragraph, which basically is how the whole book goes. This first part I agree with: you are wonderful. Other people telling you 'you are wonderful' is to be ignored, because you should KNOW you are wonderful and not be dependent on other people's praise of you.
I've already got that and agree with it. Great point.
But then he brings up this 'shooting you in the head' thing. I mean, o.O Yes, I guess you shouldn't take it personally... SINCE IT'S HARD TO TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY WHEN YOU'RE DEAD.
I don't know, I feel like the author is sometimes taking this too far. ...
3.) Don't make assumptions. Communicate with other people. Don't date/marry people expecting they'll change - or wanting them to change. Love other people for who they are.
Real love is accepting other people the way they are without trying to change them. If we try to change them, this means we don't really like them.
Yes, I already know this and live it. Let me explain to you my philosophy.
For example, I don't date smokers. It would be very bad form of me to see a man I liked, respected, was attracted to - and decide to date him, KNOWING that he smokes. This wouldn't be okay. Because I don't like smoking, and I would be unhappy - even if the man was all other good things: sweet, funny, kind, smart etc. Therefore I refuse to date smokers - no matter how sweet and cute they are - because I know I would end up miserable and making the man miserable. A smoker can be my FRIEND, I have friends who smoke - everything is fine. But once you make it into a romantic relationship it's a no-go. I'm not into nagging and I avoid dating men who I would end up nagging.
This goes for everything. If you are the kind of vegan who is really, viscerally upset by people eating meat, don't date a meat-eater. If you only like thin, skinny women who jog - don't date a sweet, smart, funny fat woman and expect her to change. If you marry a man who is lazy, guess what? He is still going to be lazy after you are married. You nagging him 24/7 is not going to make him any less lazy. The only thing that will change is that you will both be miserable.
I can't tell you how many of my friends I've seen suffer horribly trying to please someone who allegedly 'loves' them. If you love someone, you don't try to change them into something they're not.
So although I'm wording this a lot differently than Ruiz, I basically agree with him. And communication is the key. You have to nip that shit in the bud. For instance, if you are a fat woman, and you are dating a man, the first time the man pulls some shit about your weight you have to shut that down. For instance, he suggests you order a salad as your meal or he asks you 'Are you sure you want seconds?' or he, out of the blue with no encouragement from you, buys you a gym membership or some shit, you have to step up and make it clear how things are going to be. Be like, "Look at me. I'm fat (or 'x size, or plus-size, or curvy or whatever you call it). That's not going to change. Either accept it and enjoy it, or get the fuck out of my life." Okay, maybe don't say 'fuck.' But you know what I mean.
I would even go so far as to state this up front BEFORE he pulls any shit. You can be gentle, but make it clear that what you see is what you get.
Goes for anything. Steak-lovers dating vegans/vegetarians, people who have high-paying jobs dating people with low-paying jobs, people who love fashion dating people who wear sweats every second they are not at work, people who love playing sports dating people who think sports are boring, etc. etc. etc. etc. If you are trying to change your lover than you don't really love him/her.
This 'assumptions' thing is all about communication. It could be "That man smiled at me. He must have a crush on me!" when really he's just friendly. Or "Susie didn't return my call yesterday. She must be angry with me or not like me anymore!" Maybe she just had her phone on silent. Don't assume stuff. Instead, ask people questions and get their thoughts. Don't jump to conclusions. ...
4.) Always do your best. Rather self-explanatory (you'd think) but I got kind of muddled in this section.
For instance, Ruiz says
Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you're expecting a reward. Most people do exactly the opposite: They only take action when they expect a reward, and they don't enjoy the action. And that's the reason they don't do their best.
Which sounds like he's saying, "Do a job/career you love. You should love going to work every day." And that is a nice, great concept, but I don't know how realistic this is. Just saying. Ruiz says:
For example, most people go to work every day just thinking of payday, and the money they will get from the work they are doing. They can hardly wait for Friday or Saturday, whatever day they receive their money and can take time off. They are working for the reward, and as a result they resist work. They try to avoid the action and it becomes more difficult, and they don't do their best.
They work so hard all week long, suffering the work, suffering the action, not because they like to, but because they feel they have to. They have to work because they have to pay the rent, because they have to support their family. They have all that frustration, and when they do receive their money they are unhappy. They have two days to rest, to do what they want to do, and what do they do? They try to escape. They get drunk because they don't like themselves. They don't like their life.
Okay, again, I agree with Ruiz - but I don't see him offering any kind of practical advice or alternative. Yes, tons of people - most people, I'd say - have jobs they don't enjoy. What are you gonna do? Not everyone can be an author! (At least, an author who earns a living wage.) I don't really feel like this section was very helpful. ...
What is in the book besides these Four Agreements?
A lot of bullshit about how people are stars, we are all connected and everyone should love everyone. Some weird talk about 'being a warrior' which was not really explained and did nothing but confuse me. And some prayers that I didn't feel were particularly inspiring.
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GREAT LINES
"No human can condemn another to hell because we are already there."
"That is why humans resist life. To be alive is the biggest fear humans have."
"Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves." ...
Another interesting thing is that Ruiz seems to have this idea:
We talk to ourselves constantly and most of the time we say things like, "Oh, I look fat, I look ugly. I am getting old, I'm losing my hair. I'm stupid, I never understand anything. I will never be good enough and I am never going to be perfect."
I've read about 85 books with this idea in it and I have to tell you it is a foreign concept to me. I never talk to myself this way. NEVER. If there are people who talk to themselves that way, I feel very sorry for them. :( I mean, other people are bad enough, I can't imagine putting YOURSELF through this kind of hell. I guess I'm lucky, because my kind of self-talk seems to be very positive and encouraging, and I think it has to be, because life is very rough. I can't imagine being an enemy to yourself like this.
Perhaps this is in so many books because it is 'normal?' Gosh, I hope not. Please, if you are the kind of person who puts yourself down, try and stop this. :( The world is such that sometimes you are the only friend you have, and if you talk to yourself like this, then that means you don't even like YOURSELF, and that is very horrible. :( Be your own friend. Be kind to yourself - because you can't count on other people being kind to you. ...
Well, that's it. I hope this review wasn't too 'woo-woo' for anyone, I tried to be real.
Pretty good concepts, although sometimes I felt that Ruiz either a.) took it too far, and b.) didn't really offer you any solutions for things he said you should avoid. A short, quick read. ...
P.S. I would just like to note that this book reads as if a 10-year-old had written it. This is not a compliment, I'm not saying, "Oh, this was easily accessible to the reader," what I'm saying is that this book has juvenile writing and it is as if you are reading something your nine-year-old wrote in English class. o.O This is no The Prophet, is what I'm saying. o.O...more
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