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Cover of The House on Mango Street
Literary Fiction· United States

The House on Mango Street

by Sandra Cisneros
Aggregate Editorial Score42/100
Oprah's Book Club
Published 1984132 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1984. Esperanza Cordero, a young Chicana girl growing up in Chicago, describes her neighbourhood, her family, and her longing for escape in a series of vignettes. Cisneros's slim, poetic novel is one of the most influential works of Chicana literature and a staple of American literature curricula. Themes of identity, Chicago, Chicana experience run through the work. The book has received recognition from Oprah's Book Club 1984.

Book Details

AuthorSandra Cisneros
Published1984
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages132
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679734772
Editorial Score42/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1984 in United States, it engages with identity, Chicago, Chicana experience, womanhood in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The House on Mango Street among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Oprah's Book Club 1984. Our aggregate score of 42/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. Readers coming to The House on Mango Street for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of identity, Chicago, Chicana experience, womanhood is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. The House on Mango Street reflects Sandra Cisneros's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Oprah's Book Club
list · national
198417
✍️
About the Author
Sandra Cisneros
United States
View Author →

Sandra Cisneros is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The House on Mango Street about?

Esperanza Cordero, a young Chicana girl growing up in Chicago, describes her neighbourhood, her family, and her longing for escape in a series of vignettes. Cisneros's slim, poetic novel is one of the most influential works of Chicana literature and a staple of American literature curricula.

Who wrote The House on Mango Street?

The House on Mango Street was written by Sandra Cisneros, from United States. First published in 1984.

What awards has The House on Mango Street won?

The House on Mango Street has received the following awards and honours: Oprah's Book Club 1984.

Is The House on Mango Street worth reading?

The House on Mango Street is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 17/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in identity, Chicago, Chicana experience.

Where can I buy The House on Mango Street?

You can buy The House on Mango Street on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The House on Mango Street?

The House on Mango Street is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The House on Mango Street from?

The House on Mango Street originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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