In Sandra Cisneros’ new book, Have You Seen Marie? (Knopf), the narrator searches for her lost her cat in her neighborhood. But she’s not just looking for Marie, she’s looking for a piece of herself.
The narrator lives in the King William district of San Antonio – a series of historic homes that are as colorful and unique as the people who live in them. On a hot Sunday, the narrator and a friend meet their neighbors as they search for the black and white cat who “looks like she’s wearing a tuxedo.” These eccentric group of people – a viejita who offers them a can of Big Red soda; a family of musicians who play in the park; “a girl in a fiesta dress and sleeves of tattoos” – are rendered beautifully by California-based artist Ester Hernandez.
At less than a hundred pages, Maria seems like a picture book for adults, but the book’s weight comes as the narrator realizes that she also misses her mother, who passed away a few months earlier. Marie provides a unique glimpse into a quirky neighborhood and heartfelt look into grieving.
More about Sandra Cisneros:
Sandra Cisneros is best known for her 1991 novel The House on Mango Street, and her 2003 novel Carmelo. She also founded The Macondo Foundation writer’s group.
Source: I checked this book out of the library.
The Hispanic Reader 