A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernández

In this lyrical coming-of-age memoir, Daisy Hernández delves into the lessons passed down by the women in her Cuban-Colombian family, revealing the complexities of love, money, and race. Her mother's warnings about envy and the tías' advice on love and identity shape her understanding of growing up female in an immigrant home. The book also explores Daisy's experiences with dating women and transmen, and her journey to identifying as bisexual, which leads her to unexpected questions about her identity. /n/n Hernández's prose blends memoir and commentary, reflecting on her time reporting for the New York Times during a major plagiarism scandal and the debates about race in the newsroom. Ultimately, A Cup of Water Under My Bed is a daughter's story of finding herself and her community, and of creating a new, queer life.

Reviews

Fourth and Sycamore · 2016-08-19

lovely 4.50

The memoir is described as lovely, introspective, and kind, making it a unique and engaging read. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to explore complex themes with a gentle touch.

Fourth and Sycamore describes 'A Cup of Water Under My Bed' as a lovely, introspective, and kind book. The reviewer notes that it's hard to be all of those things when exploring the complex themes that Hernández tackles. The memoir's strength lies in its ability to delve into personal and societal issues with a gentle and thoughtful approach. The writing is engaging and the reviewer appreciates the introspective nature of the book, which makes it a standout in the memoir genre. The reviewer also highlights the kindness in Hernández's writing, which adds a layer of warmth and empathy to the reading experience. This memoir is a testament to the power of introspective writing and its ability to connect with readers on a deep level.

Quick quotes

Daisy Hernández's A Cup of Water Under My Bed is a lovely, introspective, and kind book.

It's hard to be all of those things when exploring the complicated stuff of life.

The memoir's strength lies in its ability to delve into personal and societal issues with a gentle and thoughtful approach.

Gulf Stream Literary Magazine · 2016-08-19

compelling 4.25

The memoir is praised for its compelling narrative and the author's struggles with identity. The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful exploration of personal and cultural identity.

Gulf Stream Literary Magazine highlights 'A Cup of Water Under My Bed' as a compelling memoir that recounts the author's struggles with the colliding facets of her identity. The reviewer appreciates the raw and honest portrayal of Hernández's journey, which makes the book both relatable and thought-provoking. The memoir's strength lies in its ability to explore the complexities of identity with depth and nuance. The reviewer finds the narrative to be compelling and the writing to be powerful, making it a standout in the memoir genre. The book's exploration of personal and cultural identity is particularly noteworthy, as it invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the broader societal context. This memoir is a powerful testament to the human experience and the struggles that come with navigating a complex identity.

Quick quotes

A Cup of Water Under My Bed, Daisy Hernandez's compelling memoir, recounts the author's struggles with the colliding facets of her identity.

The memoir's strength lies in its ability to explore the complexities of identity with depth and nuance.

The reviewer finds the narrative to be compelling and the writing to be powerful.

Lambda Literary · 2014-09-27

compelling 4.00

The book masterfully balances questions of race and justice with beautiful prose. The combination of these elements makes the memoir compelling and thought-provoking.

Lambda Literary highlights how Daisy Hernández skillfully intertwines complex themes of race and justice throughout the memoir. The writing is not only beautiful but also deeply introspective, making it a standout in the genre. The reviewer appreciates how Hernández never sacrifices the aesthetic quality of her prose, even when tackling heavy subjects. This balance makes the book both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. The memoir's strength lies in its ability to make profound statements while maintaining a poetic and engaging style. It's a book that invites readers to reflect on important issues while enjoying the journey.

Quick quotes

Hernández holds questions of race and justice at the center of this book, but never sacrifices beauty.

Ultimately, that combination is what makes this memoir compelling and thought-provoking.

The writing is not only beautiful but also deeply introspective.

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