Rated 3 stars *** 2014. Arte Publico Press. 242 pp.
Lucha Corpi, formally known as Luz del Carmen Corpi de Hernandez, is a 72-year-old Chicana poet, mother, wrestler of life and dreams, author of Chicana crime fiction, and a civil rights advocate. Through “Confessions of a Book Burner,” Lucha crafts an impelling look at the hopes, fears and dreams that led to her becoming an established Chicana poet.
Through the use of flashbacks and the present time, Lucha describes the childhood she spent with her family and extended family in her beloved Mexican village of Jáltipan de Morelos, Veracruz and in San Luis Potosí where she moved when she was 8 years old. Storytelling, instrumental to learning family history in many Mexican homes, is used by Lucha to craft her own story and bring it to life for her readers. Descriptions of village life, holiday and familial customs as well the beauty of nature play large roles in her recollections.
Lucha discusses the meaning of dreams, debates whether or not the color of one’s skin defines a person, how one discovers their own destiny, and the role clairvoyance played in her life. She also recounts events in Berkeley and Oakland California during the 1960’s and 1970’s in which she participated, which weave an historical narrative of the Chicano fight for equal rights in education and in their work lives.
“Confessions of a Book Burner” is a must-have for students of Chicano history, lovers of poetry, and those interested in seeing how an immigrant from Mexico changed her world.
Recommended for Adult readers.
You Decide: Should I Read it or Not? 