Product Description
A haunting memoir of multicultural identity, “Nobody’s Son” tells the author’s story of a childhood divided. Born in Tijuana to a Mexican father and an Anglo mother from Staten Island, Urrea moved to San Diego, hoping for the American Dream–only to suffer a clash of cultures and languages that left him in turmoil…. More >>
Nobody’s Son: Notes from an American Life
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#1 by David Haile on February 2, 2010 - 6:58 am
I’m a huge Urrea fan! Hummingbird’s Daughter was over the top fantastic. This is my 4th Urrea book which I found disappointing. Though I agree with his discussions on labeling people, I was bored with his descriptions of how USA culture is a melting pot of many cultures. I did not appreciate the chapter on life in a whorehouse. That is one area where I’m glad to turn a blind and ignorant eye and also means I can never share this book with friends. I love the stories of life in Tijuana and I hear Luis’s voice in my head when I read his books.
Rating: 2 / 5
#2 by Midwest Book Review on February 2, 2010 - 9:53 am
Nobody’s Son: Notes From An American Life by Luis Alberto Urrea (who teaches creative writing at the University of Illinois, Chicago) is the deeply personal memoir of an American born to a Mexican father and an Anglo mother. Recounting a childhood thrust in the middle of different cultures and languages, Nobody’s Son is about the search for balance, about coping with division and borders, and about the pain as well as the joy of being multicultural. Nobody’s Son is a candid, engaging, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and very highly recommended autobiography.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Anonymous on February 2, 2010 - 11:39 am
All his stories are written from his soul. They always have been. I wish that I could have taken the pain away from his childhood. I’m glad that I have known him. I wish him much success in all he does. I knew he was a great writer. I’m glad others are seeing how good he is now!
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Anonymous on February 2, 2010 - 12:48 pm
From multinational beginnings impossibly diverse, Urrea leads us on a journey that explores how he became what he is, an American writer of the first order. Sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious, always heartfelt, it is a wonderful journey for the reader. Before he can write from the heart, an author must first know his heart. Luis Urrea knows his, and shares it with us beautifully.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Ned Trace on February 2, 2010 - 1:35 pm
Luis Urrea is the John Steinbeck of the border, offering a nostelgic, heartfelt, first-person experience of what it is like to grow up in two cultures, two cities (Tijuana and San Diego) and two worlds. He writes with passion, heart, and a gift for words in two languages.
Rating: 5 / 5