Butterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa

by Rigoberto González
Butterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa cover
Good Books rating 4.27
Biography and Memoir
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 7537
  • Added: 2025-12-14
  • Updated: 2025-12-14
  • ISBN: 9780299219031
  • Publisher: Univ of Wisconsin Press
  • Published: 2006-09-01
  • Reviews: 3

Butterfly Boy is a deeply personal and poetic narrative that explores the journey of a first-generation Chicano as he grapples with his identity and the weight of his past. The story is a poignant exploration of the immigrant experience, the struggle for self-acceptance, and the inescapable nature of memory. /n/n The protagonist's journey is one of transformation and self-discovery, as he navigates the challenges of coming out and coming of age in a world that often seeks to erase or forget the complexities of his heritage. The book is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of personal history.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2006-01-01
heartbreaking 4.10

The memoir is heartbreaking and poetic, offering a deeply personal coming-of-age story. It is praised for its raw honesty and emotional depth.

This memoir is a powerful and moving account of a Chicano's journey through identity and sexuality. The reviewer highlights the poetic language and the emotional resonance of the story, making it a standout in the genre. They appreciate the author's courage in sharing such personal experiences, which makes the book both heartbreaking and inspiring. The reviewer also notes the unique perspective it offers on growing up in a culture that often clashes with one's personal identity.

Quick quotes

    Heartbreaking, poetic, and intensely personal

    A unique coming out and coming-of-age story

    Trades one life for another

Amazon · Barrie Jean Borich · 2006-01-01
gorgeous 4.50

The book is celebrated as a classic in both borderland and queer memoir forms. It is noted for its intersectional themes and profound impact on the genre.

This memoir is described as a gorgeous intersectional classic that has significantly influenced both borderland and queer memoir forms. The reviewer emphasizes its profound impact and the way it beautifully intertwines themes of identity, culture, and sexuality. They highlight the author's ability to capture the complexities of growing up in a culture that often marginalizes individuals who do not fit the traditional mold. The reviewer also notes the book's emotional depth and its ability to resonate with a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    A gorgeous intersectional classic

    Helped define both borderland and queer memoir form

    A profound impact on the genre

JSTOR · 2006-01-01
heart-wrenching 4.20

The memoir is heart-wrenching and offers a unique perspective on the author's life. It is praised for its emotional depth and the way it allows readers to see the author in a new light.

This heart-wrenching memoir by Rigoberto González provides a deeply personal and intimate look into his life. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to convey his experiences with such raw honesty and emotional depth. They note that the book offers a unique perspective on the struggles of growing up as a gay man in a culture that often prizes machismo. The reviewer also highlights the book's poetic language and its ability to resonate with readers on a profound level. They believe it is a significant contribution to the genre of memoir.

Quick quotes

    Heart-wrenching memoir

    Allows us to see him as never before

    A unique perspective on the struggles of growing up

Appears in Lists