Why I Choose to Read The House on Mango Street

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Reader: 曾维庭
Reading Time: 3.14-3.16
Reading Task: Why I Choose to Read The House on Mango Street

I was recently drawn to this book because of its childlike and playful title. At first, I thought it would be a story about a child's growth, but in reality, it uses a child's perspective to tell small, everyday stories. It feels like reading a warm yet slightly melancholic diary, capturing the past, present, and future of the residents living on Mango Street.

The story takes place in a Mexican immigrant community. Through the eyes of a young girl named Esperanza, we see how immigrant families try to find their place in America. Esperanza comes from a poor family. Because of her family moving or her friends moving away, her friendships come and go. With only one bicycle, she has to take turns riding it with her friends. She dreams of one day having a house of her own. How will she find a sense of belonging amidst her unease? Where is her true home? The book is filled with both laughter and tears, helping readers better understand the lives of people from different cultures.

Each story in the book feels like a small poem, gently flowing into my heart. The fresh writing style is tinged with a layer of shadow, carrying an indescribable sadness and a distant call that lingers above every word. The characters seem unrelated to me, yet I feel deeply connected to them. Their fates and lives change and flow on this small street called Mango Street. Their lives are ordinary and mundane, yet they become part of the larger tide of history. I am merely an observer of their destinies, yet I feel as though I am part of it all.

It seems that we all go through a phase where we want to grow up overnight, eager to leave home and explore the world. But later, we realize that true growth is not about traveling far, but about learning to say goodbye to our past selves. It’s about no longer being stuck in the past but finding the courage to move forward. This book makes us smile through our tears and see light in the ordinary moments of life.