Critical Reception of Sandra Cisneros' Works

Sandra Cisneros' first novel, House on Mango Street, was gradually acknowledged and praised by critics after its release in 1983. Critics agreed that this book well defined the complex social role of Latina women in America. Her style is hailed for its simplicity and broad accessibility, characterized through using few words to paint vivid images or feelings. Woman Hollering Creek received positive as well as slightly negative reviews. Some critics did not appreciate her simplicity and the thematic similarity this book bore to House on Mango Street although the characters had matured with the author. Another critical concern was that her frequent portrayal of violence against women might cast Latino men in a negative light. The positive side addresses the importance and effectiveness with which Sandra Cisneros gives a much needed voice to Latina women. Her recent and lengthy novel Caramelo has received successful reviews for embodying the same elements as her previous works and by bridging the gap between popular fiction and literature. Cisneros' many collections of poetry have qualified her as a master of form, yet they receive comparatively less attention than the previously mentioned books.