From her work as a Spanish-language medical interpreter/advocate and her own experience as a US immigrant married to a Hispanic man, West has collected 163 brief conversations revealing the diverse experiences and attitudes of Spanish-speaking immigrants in America. They relate struggles with healthcare and other challenges in their adopted country, and emotions ranging from fear to joy. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read More
Recent immigrants to the United States usually cannot read or speak English. Few are educated; some struggle to sign their own name. Yet they are able to do things many Americans have forgotten: to find joy in what others might find mundane; to work hard for very little while hoping for a better future; to love, accept, and support their families no matter what; and to place a higher value on relationships than possessions.Based on exchanges she witnessed through her work as an interpreter and advocate for Spanish-speaking immigrants, author Lorane A. West paints a picture of their lives, and through her portraits gives Americans a glimpse of themselves that may both surprise and challenge.
Read Less