Student Blogs

For this week’s book I decided to read “Black Shack Alley” by Joseph Zobel. Objectively, this was a well written book that touches on larger topics such as poverty, racial inequality, and injustice through the eyes of someone who lived through this period. However, I did find the novel a little too long and did […] read full post >>

 I greatly enjoyed reading Black Shack Alley although it was at times challenging to read due to its subject matter and was certainly not the light reading I was hoping for in the midst of midterm season. The novel is set in Martinique, and detail... read full post >>

 I greatly enjoyed reading Black Shack Alley although it was at times challenging to read due to its subject matter and was certainly not the light reading I was hoping for in the midst of midterm season. The novel is set in Martinique, and detail... read full post >>

Hey everyone! This book was a struggle. I don’t know about y’all, but midterms are crushing me; I feel like I haven’t slept in a week, haha. “Deep Rivers” by José María Arguedas was one of the longest books I’ve read for this class. It was quite an adjustment compared to a short and captivating […] read full post >>

Black Shack Alley, a book by Joseph Zobel, is the story of a young boy navigating the struggles of childhood, in colonial Martinique. I especially enjoyed this book for its ability to weave intricate descriptions and exciting moments, capturing the essence of adolescence and its inevitable transition into adulthood. The novel is predicated on its …

Continue reading "Week 6: Black Shack Alley"

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Deep Rivers by José María Arguedas tells the story of a young boy, Ernesto, who is of mixed heritage,and how he navigates the complexities of identity, culture, and tradition in rural Peru. This book is set in the  Andes, where Ernesto struggles with a clash felt between his indigenous roots and the colonial education he […] read full post >>

Hello again, I’m back to give my thoughts on this week’s book Deep Rivers by Jose Maria Arguedas. Overall, I found the subject matter of the book to be quite interesting, but the story was a little difficult to follow at times. At certain points, it feels like very little is happening plot-wise, which made […] read full post >>

             Arguedas “Deep Rivers” is ultimately a testament to his life growing up and the harsh intersectionality of trying to exist in two worlds. He had a similar upbringing to that of Ernesto and ... read full post >>

             Arguedas “Deep Rivers” is ultimately a testament to his life growing up and the harsh intersectionality of trying to exist in two worlds. He had a similar upbringing to that of Ernesto and ... read full post >>

 Deep Rivers by José María Arguedas gives a violent and ugly depiction of life while at the same immersing you in the beauty of the world and the natural world. The author spends significant time creating a detailed depiction of the vivid Peruvian... read full post >>

 Deep Rivers by José María Arguedas gives a violent and ugly depiction of life while at the same immersing you in the beauty of the world and the natural world. The author spends significant time creating a detailed depiction of the vivid Peruvian... read full post >>

“Deep Rivers” revolves around Ernesto, a young child torn between two different worlds. With an indigenous mother who speaks Quechua and a father who is of Spanish descent, he has a mestizo background and is at the intersection of two overlapping cultures. Through the protagonist’s perspective, the book explores the complications that intercultural and bicultural […] read full post >>

I really liked this novel and the themes of perseverance throughout. From the start of the book where a younger José despite his circumstances is seen meeting up with his friends and causing a raucous. While I can’t relate completely to his situation, I found myself reminiscing on my own childhood where my own gang […] read full post >>

 Hello everyone! Week 6's reading is Black Shack Alley by Joseph Zobel, the longest book we have read so far. While past books were able to delve into topics in immense detail with only a small amount of pages, I liked that this reading had more s... read full post >>

 Hello everyone! Week 6's reading is Black Shack Alley by Joseph Zobel, the longest book we have read so far. While past books were able to delve into topics in immense detail with only a small amount of pages, I liked that this reading had more s... read full post >>