Chavez, Denise. The last of the menu girls, a novel in stories

Kliatt, Sept, 2004 by Francisca Goldsmith

CHAVEZ, Denise. The last of the menu girls, a novel in stories. Random House, Vintage Contemporaries. 220p. c1986. 1-4000-3431-0. $12.95. SA

While each short story in this collection features the same characters and is consistently from the viewpoint of Rocio Esquibel, the middle of three daughters growing up in New Mexico in the 1950s and 1960s, the narratives are not interconnected in a way that makes the whole any larger than the sum of its parts. Rocio is observant, sensitive and sensual. her surroundings filled with common objects--trees, clothes--that for her are imbued with personal meaning and a sense of world building. Unusual in fiction about Mexican American life during this period is that Rocio's mother is a working professional (a teacher) and that her parents divorce (with little apparent emotional fallout for anyone).

Each story is carefully constructed and engaging, but some are stronger than others. This is model autobiographical fiction and can serve those interested in seeing that genre realized capably.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

Francisca Goldsmith, Collection Mgmt. & Promo., Berkeley P.L., CA