A WEEK IN LEONORA'S WORLD: PUERTO RICO

by Eliot Elisofon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 9, 1971

Although Mr. Elisofon doesn't say so, Leonora's is a privileged world -- of dolls, toys, a bicycle, a commodious room for doing homework, two piano lessons weekly (her father, a professional cellist, oversees and rewards her practicing), a hearty lunch composed of soup, fried chicken, cake, and milk (the Suiza Dairy carton will reappear at the family dinner, when ""The main dish is typically Puerto Rican -- meat stewed with beans and other vegetables""). The Spanish influence is noted from the first in names like ""San Juan, which means Saint John"" and also in the architecture (arches, balconies, iron grilles); but ""Leonora has learned in school that Puerto Ricans are descended from three important groups of people -- Indian, African, and Spanish."" She studies both English and Spanish and cruises with her cousins on a ferry flying both American and Puerto Rican flags; after the boat ride they visit Morro Castle, San Juan's ancient fort, and there ""pretend that pirates are attacking. . . . Boom! You can almost hear the cannons roar."" Later on, the Figueroa Quartet rehearses at the home of Leonora's grandfather who is ""filled with pride in his sons"" (they perform throughout Latin America); Sunday is shore day out of the way of the many American tourists (""One of the nice things about the beaches in Puerto Rico is that you can swim all year round""). It's been a happy week for the camera that catches Leonora in her school uniform, at the outdoor plantain market, and under a picture of Beethoven (""Something about his stern look makes Leonora want to play her very best""); neither altogether natural nor particularly representative, it securely documents a selected reality.

Pub Date: Aug. 9, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crowell-Collier

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION