Puerto Rican literature

Puerto Rico has a vibrant literature. Puerto Rican poetry, novels, essays, and theater plays are mostly written in Spanish. However, Puerto Rican authors sometimes write in a mixture of Spanish and English and in English. The most important authors are René Marqués, Julia de Burgos, Rosario Ferrer, Luis Rafael Sanchez, Giannina Braschi, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Esmeralda Santiago.

## Puerto Rican women writers

Puerto Rican women novelists have been successful internationally. They have won many prizes. Their books have been translated into many languages. They write satires, humorous novels, poems, and political essays The island's storytellers include Rosario Ferrer (_Eccentric Neighborhoods_), Giannina Braschi (_United States of Banana_), Ana Lydia Vega (_Pollito Chicken_), Mayra Santos (_Sirena Selena_), and Esmeralda Santiago (_When I Was Puerto Rican_). The major female poets are Julia de Burgos (who wrote lyrical poems such as "Yo fui mi ruta") and Giannina Braschi (author the poetry epic "Empire of Dreams").

## Nuyorican Literature

In the 20th century, many Puerto Ricans moved to New York City for a better life. They are called "Nuyorican." Nuyorican is a person of Puerto Rican birth or descent who lives in New York.

### Novels

The most famous Puerto Rican novels are _Down These Mean Streets_ by Piri Thomas and _Yo-Yo Boing!_ by Giannina Braschi. Both books talk of New York City life for immigrants. Their books discuss the harsh side of the American Dream. Both novels also use a mixture of Spanish and English called Spanglish.

### Poetry

The Nuyorican movement is a tradition of poets, writers, artists, and musicians who create works about Puerto Rican life in New York City. The male poets include Miguel Algarin, Tato Laviera, Pedro Pietri (_Masses are Asses_), and Miguel Pinero (Outlaw). The main Nuyorican women poets are Sandra Maria Esteves and Giannina Braschi (Empire of Dreams).

### Theater

The most famous Puerto Rican playwright is Lin Manuel Miranda, author of the Broadway musical _Hamilton_. Miranda's successful musical won many awards, including Drama Desk Award and Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is about the American revolution in 1776.  One actress Rosie Perez wrote an autobiography called "_Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling..."_ (2014).  Famous Puerto Rican plays are _Short Eyes_ by Miguel Pinero and _The Oxcart_ by René Marqués.  Latino theater companies that produce Puerto Rican plays include Pregones, Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, and Aguijon Theater.

## Puerto Rican authors

**Born in Puerto Rico, USA**

- Giannina Braschi (Empire of Dreams)
- Julia de Burgos ("_Río Grande de Loíza_")
- Victor Hernández Cruz (Snaps)
- Tato Laviera (_La Carreta Made a U Turn_)
- Judith Ortiz Cofer (_Reaching for the Mainland_)
- Luis Palés Matos (_Tuntún de pasa y grifería_)
- Pedro Pietri (_Puerto Rican Obituary_)
- Miguel Piñero (_Lower East Side Poem_)
- Mayra Santos-Febres (_Anamu y manigua_)

**Born stateside**

- Jack Agüeros (_Sonnets from the Puerto Rican_ )
- Martín Espada (_Imagine the Angels of Bread_)
- Sandra Maria Esteves (_Yerba Buena_)
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Broadway musical _Hamilton_)
- Piri Thomas (_Down These Mean Streets_)
- William Carlos Williams (epic poet, author of Paterson)

## Related pages

- Puerto Rico
- American literature
- Latina poetry
- Spanglish