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The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien

oscar hijuelos

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In The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien, Oscar Hijuelos brings to life the rambunctious Montez O'Brien family. In a small Pennsylvania town, Nelson O'Brien runs the Jewel Box Movie Theater, raising 14 daughters and a son with his wife, Mariela Montez. Through the eyes of Margarita, the eldest daughter, the lives, loves and tragedies of the Montez O'Briens and their complex family relationships unfold. While reflecting on the life of Emilio, her doggedly masculine brother, Margarita also ruminates on the nature of femininity, family, sex, love and earthly happiness. Her musings recall exhilarating adventures, eliciting tears and laughter, and tenderly reveal the bounteous heart of a warm, passionate family. At once lush, erotic and gorgeously written, The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien is a masterwork by one of America's greatest writers.

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1993

This edition

Format
496 pages, Paperback
Published
December 23, 2003 by HarpPeren
ISBN
9780060975944
ASIN
0060975946
Language
English

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About the author

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oscar hijuelos

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Oscar Hijuelos (born August 24, 1951) was an American novelist. He is the first Hispanic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Hijuelos was born in New York City, in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, to Cuban immigrant parents. He attended the Corpus Christi School, public schools, and later attended Bronx Community College, Lehman College, and Manhattan Community College before matriculating into and studying writing at the City College of New York (B.A., 1975; M.A. in Creative Writing, 1976). He then practiced various professions before taking up writing full time. His first novel, Our House in the Last World, was published in 1983 and received the 1985 Rome Prize, awarded by the American Academy in Rome. His second novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, received the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It was adapted for the film The Mambo Kings in 1992 and as a Broadway musical in 2005.

Hijuelos has taught at Hofstra University and at Duke University.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 50 votes)
5 stars
9(18%)
4 stars
24(48%)
3 stars
17(34%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
50 reviews All reviews
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zeralul
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I didn't manage to complete the book. To be honest, it was just overly sweet and corny, and not really an exciting read for me.

I was quite disappointed as I had high expectations.

However, I do know that Mr. Hijuelos is a very popular writer.

If anyone out there has any other suggested books by him, I would truly appreciate it if you could recommend them to me.

I'm hoping to find a work of his that will capture my interest and engage me more fully.

Maybe there's a hidden gem among his other books that I haven't discovered yet.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and giving another one of his books a try.

Hopefully, the next one will be a more satisfying and enjoyable read.
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Valdrigr
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The first book in years that I simply couldn't finish was truly a challenge.

It was just too weighty, with a density of ideas and a complexity that made it difficult to plow through.

Moreover, the author had a tendency to skip around, jumping from one section to another in a way that constantly disrupted my concentration.

Before I knew it, I'd lose the original train of thought and find myself adrift in a sea of words.

Trying to keep up with the erratic flow was exhausting, and after several attempts, I finally had to admit defeat.

Perhaps it was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time, but whatever the reason, I was left feeling disappointed and a little frustrated.

Still, I'm hopeful that the next book I pick up will be a more engaging and satisfying read.
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Doofenheimer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Engaging family saga

This is an incredibly detailed and captivating family saga that centers around the Montez O'Brien family. It is truly a remarkable piece of work that draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are a part of the family's lives. I found myself completely immersed in their story, reading at a much slower pace than I usually do. This allowed me to fully absorb the many intricate details that the author has so skillfully woven into the narrative. Every aspect of the Montez O'Brien family's life is explored, from their relationships and conflicts to their dreams and aspirations. It is a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, and it left me with a deep sense of satisfaction. I would highly recommend this family saga to anyone who enjoys a well-written and engaging story.
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AppleIceCream
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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October, 2013

Oscar Hijuelos passed away recently. In his obituary, I came across the information that he had written this book. I'm quite certain that I read it, perhaps back in 1993, and I remember liking it. However, at present, I can't recall a single detail about it. It seems that I may have to take a second look at this particular work.

Revisiting the book could potentially bring back those forgotten memories and allow me to appreciate Hijuelos' writing all over again. I'm curious to see if it will have the same impact on me now as it did when I first read it so many years ago.

Maybe this time around, I'll be able to better understand the themes and characters that Hijuelos so skillfully crafted. I'm looking forward to delving into the pages of this book once more and rediscovering the magic that made me like it in the first place.
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dreamlikediana
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Well, I persisted in reading,

earnestly hoping to discover that it would get better. However, to my great disappointment, it did not.

What I encountered instead was an overwhelming display of machismo and blatant sexual assault.

His manner of explaining female sexuality was simply充斥着 too much strangeness and absurdity.

It left me feeling both disgusted and frustrated.

I couldn't help but wonder how such content could be presented in this way.

It seems that the author has a rather warped perspective on these matters.

As I continued to read, I became more and more disillusioned with the entire piece.

It failed to meet any reasonable standards of decency and respect.

I can only hope that in the future, such inappropriate and offensive works will be fewer and fewer.
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Krugo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I constantly yearned for this book to possess the enchanting writing style of Toni Morrison, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Isabel Allende. However, it gave the impression that I was perusing a book composed entirely of exposition. Perhaps this is the reason why I never became attached to the book, never felt an eagerness to return to it. Instead, I simply plodded along from one section to another. It is a traditional family saga, and there are indeed some charming moments. Nevertheless, the rapid shift from one character to another never allowed me to immerse myself in any of the individuals. Their development never advanced beyond the mechanical list of characteristics that Hijuelos assigned to them.

I truly anticipate the novel that I have heard more about, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love. I like the reviews that describe the writing as "lyric and literary." This particular book is literary, without a doubt, but not quite as lyric as I had hoped.
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Haosito
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A 500-page character study! It's truly a remarkable piece of work. The writing is beautifully crafted, with every word seemingly chosen with the utmost care. However, it must be said that the plot is rather lacking. In fact, it could almost be described as plotless.

Despite this, the book has had a profound impact on me. It has helped me to realize that I'm a bit of a prude. I find myself preferring to continue imagining that everyone else has these perfect Ken/Barbie parts that they never use. It's a rather naïve and perhaps even a bit childish view, but it's the one that I seem to hold onto.

I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. On the one hand, it allows me to maintain a certain level of innocence and idealism. On the other hand, it may prevent me from fully understanding and accepting the realities of the world around me.

Overall, while the lack of plot may have been a disappointment, the book has still managed to teach me something about myself. And for that, I'm grateful.
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animekintama
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Lovely


The word "lovely" is such a charming and endearing term. It can describe a person, an object, or a situation that brings a sense of warmth and delight. A lovely person might have a kind smile, a gentle nature, and a positive attitude that makes those around them feel good. A lovely object could be a beautiful flower, a soft teddy bear, or a精致的 piece of jewelry that catches the eye and brings a smile to one's face. A lovely situation might be a peaceful walk in the park, a cozy night by the fire, or a fun day spent with friends and family. In short, the word "lovely" encompasses all that is美好 and heartwarming in life. It is a word that can brighten our days and make us feel grateful for the simple pleasures that surround us. So, the next time you come across something or someone that you find truly lovely, take a moment to appreciate it and let the warmth of that loveliness fill your heart.
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