Gabriel's Fire

By Luis Gabriel Aguilera

Like many boys, Luis Gabriel Aguilera grew up with cartoons, music, friends, and first loves. As he entered his teenage years, he faced the typical questions of adolescence what kind of person did he... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226010678
• ISBN13: 9780226010670
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 291 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Engaging, thought-provoking, insightful

Gabriels' Fire is written with vivid language that conveys the life of the author living on the South-side of Chicago. As the events of the author's life unfold, the reader watches him mature and develop emotionally. As you read, you learn many lessons and become more aware of your life experiences as well. This is a wonderful, engaging, thought-provoking, insightful book for all to read!

The Meaning Is in the Telling

Gabriel's Fire tells a story that is interesting and revelatory. But for me, reading it was a unique experience because its message is delivered through the use of acculturated dialogue, or, better, dialogues. From chapter to chapter, the style and level of usage bespeaks the setting in which a given dialogue occurs. In one chapter the protocols of a teacher-student exchange convey the impression of a classroom setting. In another, the narrative adopts the monosyllabic style of street-corner ragging to echo the author's sense of personal provocation. The author grew up in several different worlds, and he uses the distinctive discourse of each to authenticate his relationship to it and to the stories he is telling. Underlying the voices of his personae, I think, is the force of a single, self-possessed mind/soul of a young man with passion which is anchored in truth seeking and truth telling.

Eloquent, Imaginative, Conscious, and Grounded

The fact that this book was chosen by the University of Chicago Press is no small feat. The other reviewers must be seeking action, resolution, or Hollywood storytelling. This is not the point. This book is a clairvoyant entry into a very special voice that became witness and part of the surroundings and established a deep, confident, thoughtful, methodical, positive, and productive psyche through the chaos that unfolded (sometimes via the protagonist's own doing, mind you!).

Great Book

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who grew up in Chicago around the same time, it's a realistic portrayal of life on the South Side. Some may complain about all of the profanity used. I say, hide in a corner and listen to teens talk. As a matter of fact, don't hide, they'll probably swear anyway.The alcohol abuse, violence and love of music is a very real aspect of many people's lives. Even the affair with the teacher is well-done and not sensationalized.This is a must read for anyone interested in what life is or was like for some young people in our American cities.