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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Review & Giveaway: "Amigoland" by Oscar Casares

Reviewed by Kayla S.

Novelist Oscar Casares has done well for himself in his new book Amigoland, a light, entertaining read that manages to tackle some heavy issues.

Amigoland is the story of the brothers Rosales, two men separated by their age and stubbornness. Don Fidencio, the elder of the two, spends his days in a nursing home, practicing strict insubordination toward the nurses and constantly dreaming of ways to escape. Don Celestino, a recently retired barber, lives alone. But he has recently been delighting in the company of his cleaning woman Socorro, who is twenty years his junior. The brothers' parallel struggles with age meet when Socorro insists on meeting Don Fidencio, thus enacting an overdue, but difficult reunion that alters the lives of all three dramatically.

The novel is organized chronologically, but shifts perspective constantly between the three characters. This set-up lends a certain flexibility to the novel, as each character contributes a different dynamic to the story. It will occasionally elicit some chuckles, for instance, when told from the perspective of the grumpy Don Fidencio, who tends to create offensive nicknames for his nursing home companions. Socorro's story, meanwhile, is often heartbreaking and contemplative in her struggle for independence in a male-dominated family. Each chapter is a new experience.

Casares's piece calls into question the treatment of the elderly, and how it relates to older family roles that are increasingly less obligatory by the day. It also, however, stresses the infallibility of a dedicated family, and how sometimes a common heritage is a strong adhesive for separated lives. Readers must remember that it is, above all, a fictional piece. At times, the plot can approach far-fetched, and the ending is a bit too clean. But Amigoland will ultimately keep you interested, and several scenes will stick on the brain long after the story has concluded.

Giveaway:

I have 5 copies of Amigoland to give away, courtesy of Hachette Book Group!

Comment on this post with your e-mail address, or contact me directly. If I don't have a way to contact you, you will not be entered.

Extra Entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 2 posts for subscribing):

- Subscribe to the blog (2 entries)
- Follow this blog (1 entry)
- Follow Luxury Reading on Facebook (3 entries) (widget on the bottom left side)
- Blog about this giveaway (5 entries)
- Tell me where you heard about this giveaway (1 entry)
-Tell someone else about the giveaway, and have them mention it in a post (3 entries)

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

Deadline to enter is midnight on September 23rd.

Digg!

174 comments:

Color Online said...

Please enter Color Online, cora_litgroup@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

It looks interesting. Count me in!

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I follow your blog!

Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I heard about this giveaway by visiting your blog.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer said...

This book sounds amasing. thank you for the chance.
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I am a follower
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I am a subscriber.
Entry 1
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I am a subscriber
Entry 2
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I follow Luxury Reading on Facebook
Entry 1
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I follow Luxury Reading on Facebook
Entry 2
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I follow Luxury Reading on Facebook
Entry 3
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I heard about your giveaway on Book Blogs.
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

okbolover said...

looks great! pls include me

sensitivemuse at gmail dot com

I've heard about this giveaway through bookblogs.ning.com

Madeleine said...

Looks like a good read

I am a follower

madeleine444[at]gmail[dot]com

Madeleine said...

I follow this blog on facebook


madeleine444[at]gmail[dot]com

Madeleine said...

I follow you on google reader where I saw your giveaway



madeleine444[at]gmail[dot]com

elnice said...

Please enter me in this great giveaway
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

elnice said...

I am a follower of your blog
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elnice said...

I heard about this contest through reading your posts
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joeandbridge said...

I would love to read this book. Enter me please. Thanks for the giveaway!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com

wheresmyrain said...

please enter to me win this book

wheresmyrain(at)yahoo.com

wheresmyrain said...

i Follow this blog

wheresmyrain(at)yahoo.com

joeandbridge said...

I subscribe to your blog. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
ENTRY 1

joeandbridge said...

I subscribe to your blog. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
ENTRY 2

joeandbridge said...

I follow your blog. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com

joeandbridge said...

I follow this blog on Facebook. Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com
FB name: Bridgette Groschen

Wanda said...

Please enter my name in your wonderful draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Wanda said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Wanda said...

I subscribe via Google Reader.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Wanda said...

I found out about your contest by reading your blog in my Google Reader feed.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Mash1195 said...

Sounds like a good read.
Entering for this book after reading my email from your site. Am also a follower

Anonymous said...

Congratulations...your wedding pictures are beautiful.

please count me in.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm an email subscriber :)

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tina said...

Enter me please...looks great.

tbranco (at) hughes (dot) net

Tina said...

I subscribe via bloglines.

Tina said...

I subscribe - 2nd comment.

Tina said...

I'm also a follower.

Tina said...

I have posted your giveaway in my contest sidebar on Tutu's Two Cents

Tina said...

I found out about your contest from my the link to your blog on LT. I'm "tututhefirst" over there.

dor said...

Just reading about the book has me hooked. I have a mom in a nursing home..so it touched me.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

dor said...

I follow.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

dor said...

I subscribe by email.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

dor said...

I heard about this contest through you. It pays to subscribe by email. I don't miss a thing.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

tetewa said...

I'm a subscriber, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

Ammie said...

I would love to read this book. It sounds warm and engaging and suspenseful. Thanks for the giveaway!

ammieloris at hotmail dot com

Ammie said...

I subscribe to your blog. #1

ammieloris at hotmail dot com

Ammie said...

I subscribe to your blog. #2

ammieloris at hotmail dot com

Lucy said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. I've heard about this book before. I'd love to win it and it's been on my list to read for awhile. Thank you so much.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net

Lucy said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you.
+ 2 I am subscribed to you blog.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net

Lucy said...

Please include me in the giveaway. Thank you.
+ 1 I also follow you blog
makeupgirl21@comcast.net

Lucy said...

Please include me in the giveaway. Thank you.
+ 1 I heard about the giveaway from my email.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net

FOKXXY said...

I would love to be entered please.

ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

FOKXXY said...

I follow on google.

ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

FOKXXY said...

I heard about this through google reader.

ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

fitz12383 said...

Please enter me for this one.

Thanks,
Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

fitz12383 said...

I follow.

amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

fitz12383 said...

I also follow on Facebook.

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sheila said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Thank you Kayla for the review. I think I will pass on entering the giveaway for this one, but good luck to everyone who enters!

Linda K said...

sounds like a good read

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda K said...

email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

joeandbridge said...

Please enter me into this contest.
Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
joeandbridge@aol.com

Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog@gmail.com

Stacie said...

email subscriber

simplystacieblog@gmail.com

Stacie said...

email subscriber

simplystacieblog@gmail.com

Stacie said...

follower

simplystacieblog@gmail.com

Kat Bryan said...

I don't think I've read too many novels where the main characters are old men but this sounds very interesting.

winterset AT peoplepc.com

Kat Bryan said...

I am a subscriber #1.

winterset AT peoplepc.com

Kat Bryan said...

I'm a subscriber #2.
winterset AT peoplepc.com

Kat Bryan said...

I heard about the giveaway through your email.
winterset AT peoplepc.com

Stephanie said...

This sounds very interesting. I'm curious to know how this resolves.

Stephanie said...

I subscribe via email.

lag123 said...

Please enter me!

lag123 said...

I follow this blog.

Lee P said...

I'd love to read this! Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee P said...

Email subscriber #1

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee P said...

Email Subscriber #2

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee P said...

I follow your blog.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee P said...

I heard about this giveaway from an email that you sent to me.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Diane said...

Loved your review. I'm a follower via google reader.

This one looks great!

dd DOT bookgoddess AT gmail DOT com

thanks

Becca said...

Please enter me!

Thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I'm a follower,

rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I subscribe.

rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I subscribe.

rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I heard about it when it popped up on my blogger dashboard.

rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. I'd love to read this book.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe via email. #1

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe via email. #2

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I heard about this giveaway through your email update. Thanks.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alice H said...

Thanks for the great review - I love books about families. Thanks!alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I found this giveaway because I subscribe via google reader!alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I follow your blog!alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I subscribe via google reader -alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

2 - I subscribe via google reader -alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

enyl said...

Please enter me in this giveaway

enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I heard about this giveaway through my newsletter subscription to your blog.

enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber.

enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I'm a follower.

enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

Sounds like a good book. Please include me in the giveaway.
heatherzilla(at)cae2(dot)com

Becca said...

I blogged about it here:

http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/09/amigoland.html

thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I blogged about it here:

http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/09/amigoland.html

thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I blogged about it here:

http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/09/amigoland.html

thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I blogged about it here:

http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/09/amigoland.html

thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Becca said...

I blogged about it here:

http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/09/amigoland.html

thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

amanda said...

Thanks for the chance to win!
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

amanda said...

email subscriber 1
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

amanda said...

subscriber 2
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

amanda said...

blog follower
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

amanda said...

I heard about this giveaway in my email inbox.
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

Park Avenue Princess said...

I would LOVE to be entered! Thank you for hosting!

x0xx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance at aol dot com

Park Avenue Princess said...

+1 I follow your blog!

xoxx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com

Park Avenue Princess said...

+2 I subscribe to your feed!

x0xx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com

Park Avenue Princess said...

+3 I connect to Luxury Reading via Facebook!

x0xx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com

Park Avenue Princess said...

+1 I learned about this giveaway through my google reader and email...I subscribe to your feed!

x0xx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com

Belinda M said...

Please include me in your giveaway


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I follow your blog


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I am an email subscriber

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I found this giveaway in google reader since I subscribe

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Heidi V said...

Sounds like a good read!

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-amigoland-by-oscar-casares-ends-09-23-2009/

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-amigoland-by-oscar-casares-ends-09-23-2009/

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-amigoland-by-oscar-casares-ends-09-23-2009/

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-amigoland-by-oscar-casares-ends-09-23-2009/

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-amigoland-by-oscar-casares-ends-09-23-2009/

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

rubynreba said...

Please enter me - thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I am a follower
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I heard about this on Readaholic
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Allison said...

Looks good, please include me. Thanks!
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

Allison said...

I susbscribe
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

Allison said...

I subscribe

allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

Allison said...

I follow
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

Allison said...

I follow
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

Allison said...

I heard about it via your email.
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

This looks great! Please enter me!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm a follower.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Renee said...

Don Fidencio sounds like a riot!
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com

Renee said...

email subscriber 1

Renee said...

email subscriber 2

Renee said...

learned about this in an email update.

Rebecca N. said...

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile now. It sounds really good! Thanks for the great giveaway!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I subscribe via google reader

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

entry 1

Rebecca N. said...

I subscribe via google reader

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

entry 2

Rebecca N. said...

I follow your blog!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I Follow Luxury Reading on Facebook

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

entry 1

Rebecca N. said...

I Follow Luxury Reading on Facebook

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

entry 2

Rebecca N. said...

I Follow Luxury Reading on Facebook

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

entry 3

Rebecca N. said...

I heard about this contest right here on your site

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Sherrylinn said...

Sounds like a great read!

slcremer at gmail dot com

Sherrylinn said...

I am a follower

slcremer

Sherrylinn said...

I'm a subscriber

slcremer at gmail dot com

Sherrylinn said...

subscriber #2

Sherrylinn said...

Follow on FB

Sherry Cremer

Sherrylinn said...

Follow on FB #2

Sherrylinn said...

Follow on fb #3

Sherrylinn said...

Blogged this giveaway

http://sherrylinnslist.blogspot.com/2009/09/amigoland-by-oscar-casares.html

Sherrylinn said...

Blogged #2

Sherrylinn said...

Blogged #3

Sherrylinn said...

Blogged #4

Sherrylinn said...

Blogged #4

Sherrylinn said...

Blogged #5

Sherrylinn said...

I heard about this giveaway in your email. : )

wade said...

sounds great thanks

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

wade said...

i follow your blog

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

wade said...

i heard about this contest on coolcanucks.ca

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book! Please enter me in the giveaway!

ryanw@mts.net

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am an email subscriber!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

pippirose said...

Looks very interesting!
Count me in...

pippirose59 at gmail dot com

pippirose said...

I follow your blog via Blogger.

pippirose59 at gmail dot com

dis.333@hotmail.com said...

#1 I subscribe!

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

dis.333@hotmail.com said...

#2 I subscribe!

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

dis.333@hotmail.com said...

I heard about this giveaway at CoolCanucks!

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

dis.333@hotmail.com said...

I follow your blog. Reading is my passion!!!

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

Hotsnotty2 said...

I would love to read this, hope I win! Thanks for the chance!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.come

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