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Our House in the Last World

oscar hijuelos

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The debut novel by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love . Bearing all the hallmarks of Hijuelos's later work―exuberance, passion, honesty, and humor―this debut novel was heralded on its publication twenty years ago as "virtuoso writing...a novel of great warmth and tenderness" ( New York Times Book Review ). Filled with the sights and sounds of Cuba's Oriente province and New York City, the music and films of the fifties, lusty fantasies and the toughest of life's realities, it is the unforgettable story of Hector Santinio, the American-born son of Cuban immigrants, who is haunted by tales of "home" (a Cuba he has never seen) and by the excesses and then the death of his loving father. This edition includes a new autobiographical introduction by the author, reflecting on how he came to write Our House in the Last World , and a new afterword in which he comments on the story.

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 17,1983

This edition

Format
240 pages, Paperback
Published
May 1, 1983 by Persea
ISBN
9780892552832
ASIN
0892552832
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(4 / 5.0, 51 votes)
5 stars
15(29%)
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22(43%)
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14(27%)
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51 reviews All reviews
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fragariamemories
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The Santinio family is truly a chaotic and dysfunctional unit. The captivating characters and complex family dynamics within this story make it an outstanding novel.

Alejo and Mercedes Santinio embark on a journey from Cuba to New York, leaving behind their comfortable lives and loving families in the hope of striking it rich. However, their dreams of fortune remain unfulfilled. Alejo is a larger-than-life figure, with people being magnetically drawn to him. Women are attracted to him, and he has a wide circle of friends. He flaunts his generosity by giving away money, even though he can ill afford it. Ironically, those he helps achieve success and wealth, while he himself remains impoverished. Alejo works hard as a cook and dreams of owning a bodega. Yet, he has his vices, overeating and overdrinking, and even mistreating his wife and disappearing for days at a time.

Mercedes endures a great deal. Despite Alejo's shortcomings as a husband, she chooses not to leave and instead focuses on raising their two sons, Horatio and Hector. Mercedes also has to deal with a difficult sister-in-law, Buita. Hector falls ill and spends months in the hospital, which leads to him stopping speaking Spanish. Mercedes becomes overly protective, not allowing him to play with other kids or go to school due to concerns about microbes. Horatio, on the other hand, leads a relatively normal life but can't wait to escape his family. He joins the military and distances himself. Tragically, Alejo dies from a heart attack at work, which sends Mercedes into a tailspin. Hector treats her poorly and lacks the patience to assist her. The family's numerous struggles and dramatic events vividly illustrate the harsh reality that often lies beneath the glittering promise of the American dream.

SPOILER ALERT: If you prefer not to read spoilers, please stop here. I summarize books for my personal reference as I tend to forget what I've read.

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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Biev
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A debut novel by Oscar Hijuelos offers a profound exploration into the hardship endured by a Cuban immigrant striving to adapt to life in the vibrant and bustling city of New York.

The story serves as a philosophical and deeply poignant memory of life in Cuba prior to the communist regime of Fidel Castro. This regime led to a mass exodus of many Cubans, who left their beloved island in search of a new life on foreign soil.

The author skillfully weaves in many of his own personal experiences, thereby enriching the narrative and shedding light on the intricate and multifaceted nature of being Hispanic in America.

I was completely captivated by this book, and it left me with a strong sense of encouragement to further explore and follow the literary talent of Oscar Hijuelos. His ability to bring to life the struggles and triumphs of the immigrant experience is truly remarkable.

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Varrick_King
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This novel

takes the readers on a journey through the arduous struggles of a family of Cuban immigrants who have made Spanish Harlem their new home.

The central character, Hector Santinio, is deeply affected by his family's vivid tales of their "home" in Cuba. These stories linger in his mind, constantly tugging at his heartstrings and making him yearn for a place he has never truly known.

Adding to his turmoil is the painful loss of his father. Hector grapples with the grief and tries to come to terms with the void left by his father's passing.

As the story unfolds, we witness Hector's inner turmoil and his attempts to find his place in this new world while still being connected to his family's past and the memories of Cuba.

The novel beautifully captures the complex emotions and experiences of this immigrant family, painting a vivid picture of their lives in Spanish Harlem.
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Reiusa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Nope, this book doesn't cut it for me.

Just because an author has won a Pulitzer Prize for a later work, it doesn't necessarily mean that his very first attempt is worthy of being read.

I found myself unable to wait to escape the pages of this book.

The story seemed to lack depth and coherence. The characters were not well-developed, and their actions and decisions felt rather random.

The writing style, too, failed to engage me. It was平淡 and uninteresting, lacking the spark and creativity that I look for in a good book.

Perhaps the author was still finding his voice and style in this early work, but unfortunately, it didn't make for an enjoyable reading experience for me.

I'm disappointed, as I had high hopes based on the author's later success, but this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
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KaitlynGreatlyn
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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“Not an easy book to read, but this was a reality for many Cuban immigrants.” This simple statement holds a profound truth. Reading this book might present challenges, perhaps due to its complex themes or the raw emotions it conveys. However, for countless Cuban immigrants, the experiences described within its pages are all too real. They have lived through hardships, faced uncertainties, and endured sacrifices in their journey to a new land. This book serves as a reminder of their struggles and the strength they have shown. It offers a glimpse into a world that is often hidden from view, a world of hope, despair, and ultimately, survival. For those who take the time to read it, it can be a life-changing experience, opening their eyes to the realities of others and fostering a greater sense of empathy and understanding.

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BiobulletM
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This autobiographical novel indeed covers a vast expanse of territory. In my opinion, it might even cover too much ground. It seamlessly leaps from one episode to another, spanning several decades within the experience of one family as they move from Cuba to NYC. It's almost like a greatest hits album, presenting the highlights of their journey.

I found certain parts of it to be extremely captivating. In fact, I liked them quite a lot. When I had the opportunity to attend a reading that Hijuelos did from his memoir, I gained an understanding that this novel is based on his own life. And I must say, I liked him a great deal during that reading. As a result, I am now eagerly looking forward to delving into another one of his books in the near future.

I believe that his writing style has a certain charm that keeps the readers engaged and interested in the story. I am excited to see what other literary treasures he has in store for us.
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NixKaen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A well-written novel delves deep into the lives of a Cuban/Cuban-American family. Set in the pre-revolution era, it vividly portrays their arduous struggle to establish a home and adapt to the vibrant yet foreign city of New York. The story unfolds with the family members grappling with the challenges of a new culture, trying to understand its nuances and find their rightful place within it. It is an emotionally difficult read, as we witness their hopes, dreams, and frustrations. The author skillfully weaves together the themes of identity, belonging, and the power of family. Through the characters' experiences, we gain a profound understanding of the sacrifices and adjustments required when moving to a new country. This novel is a poignant exploration of the immigrant experience, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

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Remster20
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have a profound interest in both immigrant stories and New York stories. This book appears to fulfill both of these interests. Additionally, there is the reassurance of quality based on the fact that the author is a Pulitzer winner. So, did it meet expectations? Well, it's a bit of a yes and no.

The quality is indeed present. For a debut novel, it is most impressive. The writing is strong throughout, with phenomenally nuanced characterization and all the works. However, the plot was just...exhausting. This mainly stems from the fact that the family the book follows over the years, from Cuba to New York, is such an unhappy group.

Unlike their friends and family, they fail to succeed in their adopted home. Partially, this is due to their never letting go of their provincial (old country, cringe-inducingly backward) mindsets. Their frustrations and limitations slowly tear them apart and traumatize their children. Hijuelos did an excellent job of making these characters sympathetic in all their numerous and all-too-human flaws, especially since some of the story is autobiographic.

But it wasn't an easy read by any means. It is interesting and well done, but perhaps not particularly enjoyable in the traditional sense of the word. It offers a fascinating look at Cuban and Cuban American cultures, but it is an emotionally laborious read.
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