"Boricua is what Puerto Ricans call one another as a term of endearment, respect, and cultural affirmation;
it is a timeless declaration that transcends gender and color. Boricua is a powerful word that tells the origin
and history of the Puerto Rican people. "
-- From the Introduction
From the sun-drenched beaches of a beautiful, flamboyant-covered island to the cool, hard pavement of the fierce
South Bronx, the remarkable journey of the Puerto Rican people is a rich story full of daring defiance, courageous
strength, fierce passions, and dangerous politics--and it is a story that continues to be told today. Long ignored
by Anglo literature studies, here are more than fifty selections of poetry, fiction, plays, essays, monologues,
screenplays, and speeches from some of the most vibrant and original voices in Puerto Rican literature.
Jack Agüeros
Miguel Algarín
Julia de Burgos
Pedro Albizu Campos
Lucky CienFuegos
Judith Ortiz Cofer
Jesus Colon
Victor Hernandez Cruz
José de Diego
Martin Espada
Sandra Maria Esteves
Ronald Fernandez
José Luis Gonzalez
Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
Maria Graniela de Pruetzel
Pablo Guzman
Felipe Luciano
René Marqués
Luis Muñoz Marín
Nicholasa Mohr
Aurora Levins Morales
Martita Morales
Rosario Morales
Willie Perdomo
Pedro Pietri
Miguel Piñero
Reinaldo Povod
Freddie Prinze
Geraldo Rivera
Abraham Rodriguez, Jr.
Clara E. Rodriguez
Esmeralda Santiago
Roberto Santiago
Pedro Juan Soto
Piri Thomas
Edwin Torres
José Torres
Joseph B. Vasquez
Ana Lydia Vega
This brand-new, wide-ranging showcase of contemporary Latino-American literature highlights fiction, essays,
poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, and journalism by more than 30 of the most accomplished and innovative Puerto
Rican authors -- a dazzling display.
