ELBA TORRES

¡Ay Bendito! (Spanish Edition)

by Elba Torres
5/5

From Bayamón, PR to New York, the stories told throughout this profound memory portray the daily reality of many of us: searching for answers, seeking to thrive in order to be accepted – facing loss and encounters, accepting life and death, being here and simultaneously, everywhere. The author, Elba Torres, in this intimate story, appropriately titled ¡Ay Bendito!, takes us on a path that will make us laugh, cry, reflect, and ultimately, realize that our past is an essential part of the journey. In this memoir, the author masterfully intertwines her present with her past as a daughter, wife, sister, friend, and mother. By recalling his experiences, he takes us on a cathartic journey about how he has transformed his “Blessed Woes” into lessons learned.

Desde Bayamón, PR hasta Nueva York, las historias contadas a lo largo de esta profunda memoria retratan la realidad diaria de muchos de nosotros: buscando respuestas, buscando prosperar para ser aceptados – afrontando pérdidas y encuentros, aceptando la vida y la muerte, estando aquí y simultáneamente, en todas partes. La autora, Elba Torres, en este relato íntimo, apropiadamente titulado ¡Ay Bendito!, nos lleva por un camino que nos hará reír, llorar, reflexionar, y en última instancia, darnos cuenta de que nuestro pasado es una parte esencial del viaje. En estas memorias, la autora entrelaza magistralmente su presente con su pasado como hija, esposa, hermana, amiga y madre. Al recordar sus experiencias, nos lleva en un viaje catártico sobre cómo ha transformado sus “Ay Benditos” en lecciones aprendidas.

Book Review:

“Ay bendito, what a book!”

Ay Bendito! Reading this book opened a whole new dimension to the meaning of the title.
In our culture, we always say “Ay Bendito” whenever someone is confronted with a problem or disappointment. If they can’t solve the problem, we say, “Ay Bendito.” We are the only people in all Latin American countries that own this phrase. It belongs to us, the Puerto Ricans, los Boricuas.
As I glanced through the pages of the book, I discovered that “Ay Bendito” is much more than a phrase; it belongs to us, it is a gift of the universe, it’s like a spirit thing, like DNA. I laughed—not in a negative way, but in a growing way for me. After reading this book, I can no longer take “Ay Bendito” for granted. It is a spiritual connection to the Puerto Rican character, and the author, Elba Torres, gets it. She discovered the essence and had to put this book together.
“Ay Bendito” is a spiritual response that says, “we care,” and it has become so automatic and conditioned in us that we take it for granted. To the point that it produces laughter every time I experience it. I need to visit Puerto Rico, get reconditioned, learn my culture, and get rid of my Kool-Aid mindset.
Elba Torres gets it! After dealing with the characters in her life, coming and going, experiencing the ups and downs, she is right in the middle. But she finds a way to become an observer or help with problem-solving. She comes out of it without a mental breakdown, only waiting for the episode to end so she can express her “Ay Bendito.”
You have to buy this book; you need to read it. You need to truly understand the cultural value or concept of “Ay Bendito.” This book will do it for you. Whether she knows it or not, Elba, with this book, is bringing “Ay Bendito” to the forefront, a spiritual gift only found in Puerto Rican culture, in our blood, our DNA.
Ay bendito, what a journey!
Look up her name and book, you will find it online at Amazon and other social media network.
 
 

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