In 1984, author Sandra Cisneros’s trailblazing book “The House on Mango Street” was first published. Forty years and many books later, the University of Minnesota Libraries, the Department of Chicano & Latino Studies, and the Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA) welcomed Cisneros to Walter Library for a reading and a lively discussion “entre comadres,” (among friends).

The conversation took place with the U of M’s Paloma Barraza, History, Iberian & Latin American Studies Librarian, and Dr. Jessica Lopez-Lyman, Chicano and Latino Studies.

Sandra Cisneros Day

Lisa German, dean of the University Libraries, and Patricia Izek, DEIA director at the Libraries, welcomed guests and introduced the author. Then, the hosts surprised Cisneros by presenting her with a framed proclamation from the Office of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, declaring Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 as Sandra Cisneros Day in the State of Minnesota.

Cisneros pointed out the importance of the day, first and foremost, as Indigenous People’s Day. However, she noted that she was honored to share this day and accepted the proclamation to audience applause.

Shared stories and poetry reading

During the conversation, Cisneros spoke about her childhood in Chicago — including her affinity for poetry from a young age, her wish for a bedroom door she could shut all the way (the size of the dresser in her room made this impossible), and her longing to go see the Beatles at a concert in the park (she was too young to go alone and nobody wanted to go with her).

She read from an unpublished essay, sharing her reflections about “The House on Mango Street.” She wrote the essay for her upcoming opera, “House on Mango Street,” produced by Cisneros and Derek Bermel. (The world premiere performance will take place at the Glimmerglass Festival in 2025.) Thus, the essay’s original purpose was to help the opera performers better understand the characters from her novel and gain context about the diversity in the neighborhood. At our event, this same essay helped inform the conversation.

Cisneros read poems also, including selections from her 2022 poetry collection, “Woman Without Shame.” On the screen behind her, a collage of book covers formed a tapestry of her many novels and books of poetry, published in the years between her first novel and the present day.

In response to questions from the audience, Cisneros spoke about the importance of mentorship and the value of therapy — and about finding inspiration to write in difficult emotions and challenging circumstances. She also talked about the sometimes fraught nature of being successful and about the difference between stories you write for yourself alone and those you write to share publicly.

After the talk concluded, guests enjoyed refreshments and lined up to purchase books, available from the University Bookstores. Cisneros signed copies and took photos with guests, who included University of Minnesota students, faculty, staff, and retired staff members.