The Prince of los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood

Hilarious is a word that is used to describe this book by most reviewers. Yes, it is funny, no doubt about that, but its appeal is so much deeper. Rarely has a book captured the emotions and thoughts of childhood in such an accurate and gripping way. I got pulled back into my own memory bank, and swept into a world I thought I had lost long ago--the relationship with pets, the mystery of adults' reactions, the interactions with friends and siblings, the desires which could not be formulated thus not articulated but experienced so profoundly. As someone who emigrated to the States voluntarily and enthusiastically, I can nevertheless relate to the idealization of my culture of origin and the sadness of losing the ineffable connections of shared upbringings. Such vivid descriptions, such a light touch, such an enchanting and enchanted book.

"Made in Cuba, assembled in Spain, imported to the USA" is how Blanco describes his story in shorthand. So, you would expect his memoir to be filled with stories and reflections that are completely unique to him. And, he has done just that - in a brilliant, engaging and, at times, hilarious way. However, he's also written a story that speaks to anyone who has tried to find their place in the world and within their own family. His descriptions of family members are both vivid and yet somehow familiar, regardless of your ethnic heritage. Blanco's stories will have you unexpectedly thinking about your own family, as well as the tales and trials that make up your personal story. In my case, his abuelita and my nana could have been sisters - perhaps because of the DNA that is commonly found in tough, immigrant grandmothers. In his "For All of Us, One Day: An Inaugural Poet's Journey", Blanco provided a glimpse into his journey that left me wanting to experience more of the journey. "The Prince of los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood" more than satisfies that craving.

I'm a first year college student, and I chose The Prince of Los Cocuyos for a book review for my history class. This book was a good choice and overall interesting read to look further into the lives of Cuban American families and the struggles of being gay in the Cuban culture. Richard Blanco repeatedly compares the lives of his older family members when they lived in Cuba to the life he lived being in Miami, Florida for majority of his life. Furthermore, the struggles of Americanization challenged Blanco and his family to keep their cultural roots but also adapt to the American ways of living. The book also creates a realistic world of a Cuban gay male and how there are certain cultural standards to live to and the influence of elders with their opinions of gay individuals. Not only was this book a great choice for an assignment but personally interesting and informative to develop new perspectives on the struggles of immigration and coming out as openly gay.

I had to choose a book to read for an English class. Going through the list this book called to me. I am blessed and lucky to have been able to read this story. Being Gay and from Tennessee, helping my grandparents with their gambling business, drifting away from them as they could not accept me. Me practicing to not have a southern accent because all I knew was hurt and pain from my Tennessee Southern roots. Slowly connecting it back as the experiences that made me;me. All of that is relatable in the Prince of Los Cocuyos!!!! The writing style and description is so beautiful and I am sure many readers will be able to connect with this story too. Thank you for sharing such beautiful words and memories with us Richard Blanco !!! Chefs kiss ✨✨✨✨✨😘💋

Wow, what a book. I didn't want it to end. Won't there -- please -- be a Part II? It is at once universal and also unique. I love Cuba and I think ( but I am not Cuban ) that Richard was a "cubanaso," as he indicates he aspired to be but wasn't sure he could be since he had never lived in Cuba. Your home is located more in your heart and head than at some point on a map, and I think that was a realization he finally came to. So many Americans -- myself included -- have lost this kind of awareness of origin. It was wonderful to live vicariously through Richard. My only reservation is that I wish he had focused a little more on his struggle with his gay identity. It is in the subtext, but I wish it had risen to the surface for more in-depth development. For example, did he ever talk to his Abuela and his parents about this issue? Nevertheless, overall I thought this memoir was fantastic. Now I can savor Richard's poetry.

Great mini stories within the story, which it reads like more than a memoir. Amusing tales of family and culture.

I have never left a book review before, but this book deserves a lot of praise! I bought this as a gift for my brother's birthday. While visiting him, I started reading it myself and couldn't put it down. So, I ordered myself a copy and devoured it. I fell in love with little Riqui-a sensitive, thoughtful, curious boy. The stories of Riqui and his family and the characters he met were both heartbreaking and uplifting. I ordered a copy for my aunt, my mom and gave my husband my copy (who rarely reads for "pleasure", but was captivated by what I let on about the book-I had trouble keeping it myself). I almost never laugh or cry when reading a book, but I did both with this. Enjoy! You're in for a treat.

I have lived in Miami for almost 40 years and have had many first and second generation Cuban friends just like the people in this wonderful memoir. I never fully understood the intensity of their connection to the island until reading this memoir about love and loss of things barely understood. A joyous and sometimes funny read. One of the author's eyes is opened wide by the close of the novel, but the other is only awkwardly beginning to open. I am consoled by knowing how this sensitive and intelligent young man eventually found the special love that once eluded him and grew into a national treasure. Compulsory reading for any child of Cuban exiles, especially if you are from Miami and/or gay.

Judgment on this book is bound to be contingent on the reader's personal experiences. I call the first 80% of the book Cubaroni as the grandmother dubs Kraft Dinner with Cuban style additions. If she ever said it. In the Forward Blanco states that he has taken poetic licence with the facts and characters. So read it as an impressionistic memoire. His family and community are not voluntary immigrants, keen to start a new life with new opportunities. These are refugees, forced from Cuba by communism and the detested Castro, that son of a puta. They have no wish to assimilate to American life, and instead live a nostalgic parody of life back home. Ricci Blanco is of the new generation raised, if not born, in America with a foot in three camps, the third being his dawning realization that he is gay in an explicitly homophobic environment. The opening section shows at length Ricci's grandmother, the homophobic family cook, sending Ricci to a US supermarket for cheap chicken and taking to spray cheese product in a can, an example of grudging accommodation to the new land. From there it is a smooth transition to a Thanksgiving dinner with undercooked turkey which makes everybody sick. For my taste, maybe not yours, this is all too drawn out. My interest picked up [I am a gay man] in the final 20% of the book through Ricci's looming consciousness of gay feelings. He has quasi gay relationships with a man, then a boy his age, which are abruptly aborted by the two individuals. So no happy ever after here. To sum up, I don't warm to the brand of ethnicity here nor to the frustrated stabs of same sex love.