Our House in the Last World by Oscar Hijuelos

At Tzer Island book blog, a review has been posted.

The book "Our House in the Last World" by Oscar Hijuelos seems to have caught the attention of the reviewer.

Unfortunately, the specific details of the review are not provided in the given text.

However, we can assume that the reviewer may have shared their thoughts and opinions on the book's plot, characters, writing style, and overall impact.

To get a more in-depth understanding of the review, one would need to visit the link provided: https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2....

It could be that the reviewer praised the author's unique storytelling or criticized certain aspects of the book.

Regardless, this review serves as a valuable resource for those interested in learning more about "Our House in the Last World" by Oscar Hijuelos.

I read this title after delving into the author’s novel, Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love and his memoir, Thoughts without Cigarettes. This is truly an endearing read, masterfully bundling an autobiographical novel (without becoming overly biographical) with magical realism (without being too extravagantly magical or too brutally real).

For instance, in his memoir, readers discover that the author was in poor health as a child and spent a significant amount of time away from his family in a hospital. In this novel, while effectively using this setting to craft a somewhat wimpy yet complex character, Hijuelos doesn't linger on the matter. It simply serves to explain certain deficits in young Hector’s personality.

Similarly, in his memoir, the author elaborates on his dumb luck (however one chooses to view it) of having skin that is a shade whiter than that of anyone else in his family (along with blond hair, both traced back to his Spanish roots), and, as a related point, that he doesn't speak Spanish very well (though he does understand it). When the character Hector attempts to speak it with others, they comment on his American accent and sometimes decline to converse with him. In real life, this allows the author to seamlessly transition between an Anglo-New York and a Cuban-New York, ultimately enabling him to obtain an education. Hector Santinio, on the other hand, faces more challenges. He is overweight. Despite having sexual encounters with various females, he fails to find a girlfriend or wife.

The novel chronicles the Santinio family from 1929 to 1975, condensing an extensive family history into a mere two hundred pages. In the final two chapters, Hijuelos ramps up the magical realism through the concept of “Ghosts,” in which he plays a game of “What if?” In “Voices from the Last World,” the concluding chapter, the author gives voice to Hector, his brother Horacio, and his mother, Mercedes, through their dreams. In these magical dreams, everyone is “happier,” largely because they are in the “last world” they once belonged to, the hazy, effervescent world of old Cuba. This is a more comforting world than the one they must adapt to in New York. Hector, who has done little but criticize his parents, forgives them, views them in a broader context... and grows up. It's a happy ending that they have all earned.

This is a beautifully observed story that chronicles the cultural shift of a Cuban family.

Originally, they were upper middle class in Cuba, enjoying a certain standard of living and a set of cultural norms and values.

However, their lives took a significant turn when they immigrated to the United States and became working class Americans.

The family had to adapt to a new language, new social and economic systems, and different ways of life.

Their cultural identity was challenged as they tried to find a balance between their Cuban heritage and their new American reality.

The story likely delves into the various experiences and emotions that the family members went through during this transition, highlighting the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and setbacks.

It may also explore how the family's relationships changed and how they passed on their cultural traditions to the next generation.

Overall, this story offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex and often poignant process of cultural adaptation and transformation.

Immersing myself in Our House in the Last World,

I was instantly transported to a world that was both strikingly familiar and intriguingly unknown.

Hijuelos' vivid prose brought this world to life in the most captivating way.

I found myself deeply invested in Hector's journey as he navigated the labyrinthine complexities of cultural identity.

The characters in the book seemed to leap off the pages and come alive, eliciting a wide range of emotions from me - laughter, tears, and cheers.

This poignant exploration of identity, family, and belonging serves as a powerful reminder that our stories are what shape us and that the past has an indelible impact on our present.

Reading Our House in the Last World was an experience like no other. It felt as if I had found a new home, a place that will remain etched in my memory and stay with me forever.

♥️

Oscar Hijuelos's books truly deserve a very enthusiastic two thumbs up.

His writing style is simply captivating, drawing the reader in from the very first page. His narrative gift is remarkable, allowing him to tell stories in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

His storytelling genius is on full display in every book, making it impossible to put them down once you start reading.

In addition to his amazing writing skills, I also learned a great deal about the Cuban revolution and Castro from reading his books. Historical fiction is always a bonus in any book I read, as it allows me to learn about history in a more interesting and engaging way.

I have now read three of his books and have been so impressed that I have added all of the others to my to-read list. I can't wait to see what other amazing stories he has to tell.

The Story of Cuban Immigrants Coming to America

I have always been fascinated by the experiences of immigrants, and this book about Cuban immigrants coming to America truly captured my heart. It delved deep into their struggles, hopes, and dreams as they left their homeland in search of a better life. The author vividly described the challenges they faced during the journey, such as harsh weather conditions and limited resources. Once they arrived in America, they had to adapt to a new culture, language, and way of life. Despite these difficulties, they remained resilient and determined to succeed. The stories of their perseverance and hard work were truly inspiring. I found myself rooting for each and every one of them as they fought to build a new future for themselves and their families. This book not only provided a unique perspective on the Cuban immigrant experience but also served as a reminder of the strength and courage that lies within us all.

The lives and experiences of a family of immigrants with roots in Cuba are rich and complex.

In 1930’s Cuba, Mercedes, a young woman from a once-fine family that suffered a financial setback after her father’s death, meets Alejo. Alejo, the younger son of a more comfortably situated family, leads a somewhat aimless life while his older brother manages the family farm. They marry, hoping to escape their ordinary lives. When Alejo inherits money, they decide to travel to America, where one of Alejo’s sisters lives.

However, their dreams don't quite pan out as expected. Alejo takes a job as a cook in a fancy hotel but never rises above that position due to his fear of failure. They have two sons, Horacio and Hector. Alejo starts drinking and having affairs, while Mercedes struggles to adapt to her new life, facing prejudice and never becoming fluent in English.

Their story, as told in Oscar Hijuelos’ first novel, is a powerful exploration of the immigrant experience. It shows the courage it takes to leave one’s homeland and start anew in a foreign country, as well as the disappointments and hardships that often follow. The characters and the sense of place are vividly描绘, from the lush setting of Cuba to the Morningside Heights area of New York City.

As the years pass, the Santinio family faces many challenges, including bitterness, sorrow, and violence. Their two sons grow up feeling caught between two cultures, neither fully American nor Cuban. Yet, there is still hope in the story, and the characters’ flaws are presented with compassion and understanding.

This novel is a must-read for fans of Latin literature and anyone interested in the immigrant experience. It offers a poignant look at the sacrifices and struggles of those who come to America in search of a better life. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing a copy of this new edition, which has given me a deeper appreciation for the journeys of so many immigrants, including my own ancestors.

My favourite part is the tenderness with which OH reminisces about what it was like to write his first book.

It is truly a charming aspect. When OH recalls those early days of penning his first literary creation, there is a palpable softness in his expression.

One can sense the passion and naivety that accompanied him during that initial foray into the world of writing.

It's as if he is taking us on a journey back in time, sharing the intimate details and emotions that were part of that process.

Other than with a nostalgic and indulging eye, it is not quite possible to read this after you've been knocked out by his more mature work.

His later works may be more refined and polished, but there is something special about the raw authenticity of his first book.

It serves as a reminder of where he started and how far he has come.

Even though we may be in awe of his more developed writing skills, the memories of his first book add a layer of depth and humanity to his body of work.

It makes us appreciate the evolution of his talent and the unique charm that each stage of his writing career holds.

Wow, there are an abundance of typos.

I was not overly charmed by this story. The description of the abuse between the husband and wife, and then involving the children, was vividly written. However, the story as a whole was just mediocre. The ending, in particular, felt sluggish to me. The last two sections or chapters seemed to drag on interminably. I would have preferred a concise and engaging epilogue rather than the rather incomprehensible gibberish. I'm certain there was some profound meaning hidden within it all, but I had already lost my patience long before reaching the end of the book. If it weren't for the fact that I was reading this for a class, I would have simply put it aside.

Probably, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It fails to hold the reader's attention throughout and the ending leaves much to be desired. The potential depth that might have been there was overshadowed by the lackluster presentation.

2.5 stars;

I won't read this book again.

To be honest, towards the end, I found myself skimming through large sections.

The reason for this is that I had lost interest in the main characters.

At the beginning, the story seemed quite promising, but as it progressed, the characters failed to maintain my attention.

They didn't seem to grow or change in a meaningful way, and their actions and decisions became predictable.

As a result, I simply couldn't bring myself to invest the time and energy in reading every word.

Perhaps this book would have been more engaging if the author had focused more on developing the characters and making them more complex and interesting.

Overall, it was a disappointment, and I would not recommend it to others.

It is truly fascinating to read about the experiences of those who came to the US from Cuba in 1943, before the revolution. Their journey and subsequent years in the US hold a wealth of stories and emotions.

However, it is also very difficult to read about the significant amount of physical violence that occurred among families, friends, and neighbors. The descriptions of such violence paint a rather disturbing picture.

Moreover, the (to me) unimaginable amount of alcohol intake is also a striking aspect. It makes one wonder about the underlying reasons and the impact it had on their lives and relationships.

Overall, these accounts offer a complex and multi-faceted view of a particular time and place, and they leave the reader with much to思考 and reflect upon.

Exceptional read!

It ranks right there with "Mambo Kings" for my taste.

Hijuelos is truly an "Urban Poet" who paints a colorful canvas in detailing the immigrant experience.

The way he describes the scenes and the emotions makes it feel as if you are right there with the characters.

I thought the author vividly brought to life one family's struggle with getting acclimated to the new world while retaining their Cuban roots.

Their journey is filled with challenges, but also with moments of hope and love.

The story is not only about the family's adaptation, but also about the cultural differences and the sense of identity that they face.

It is a beautiful and moving tale that showcases the power of literature to touch our hearts and make us understand the experiences of others.

Superb!!