The Prince of Los Cocuyos
The Prince of Los Cocuyos is a memoir of Richard Blanco's childhood. The story takes place in Westchester, Miami during the late 1970s and '80s. Blanco is known for being the first Hispanic and openly gay poet of the United States. This book follows his early life as he faced cultural and identity differences within his own family and the hardships of coming of age. In the memoir, he substitutes the real names of his family and friends to tell his story. For example, "Caco" is Richard's older brother Carlos. Plot. Riqui's  family immigrated from Cuba during the early 1970s, escaping Fidel Castro's takeover. He opens up the memoir by detailing his family's journey to Miami. His grandmother paid for his whole family to travel to go from Cuba then Spain, then New York, then finally Miami. When Riqui's family finally settled in "Güecheste", Miami they went to work at a bodega, a store owned by his uncle. Riqui's family held tight to their Cuban Heritage and only ate Cuban food. However, Riqui had a hard time accepting this as he wanted to eat American food like Pop -Tarts and Cool Whip. His grandmother, Abuela, would frequently disapprove because real food was Cuban food to her. Abuela did not want to shop at Winn-Dixie out of fear of the American language barrier. Riqui insisted and finally his grandmother gave him money to shop at Winn-Dixie. She later started enjoying American products and offered to cook Riqui a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, she referred to as "San Giving". However, his extended family decided to bring and merge the Cuban food with the American food, which frustrated Riqui. Towards the end of thanksgiving Riqui connects pilgrims to his  family and how their journeys to America are similar. Riquis family continued to strengthen their ties to Cuba. His grandfather, Abuelo, wanting to hold unto this life from Cuba created an animal farm in his backyard. This consisted of a Chickens, a rooster, some bunnies and a dog. This however, was not allowed and Animal Control made Abuelo get rid of his animals. Riqui was devastated when his Abuela killed all the chickens and served it for dinner. Things get even worse when Riqui purchases a rug-making kit, that he had been saving up for, and his Abuela takes  it away from him and warned him about seeming like "un" "maricón." She then later helps the family go to Disney World by paying for everyone's ticket. The trip to Disney World, in his fathers Chevy Malibu, came with challenges for the whole family. The boys had to endure their parents Spanish songs on the radio, and Riqui had to poop on the side of the highway while getting photographed by his Mother. Due to the language barrier Riqui's older brother, Caco, had to be the interpreter on the trip so his family could communicate. Caco had to  not only help his father at the service plaza, but also when he gets pulled over for speeding, that led to the brother feeling embarrassed. Once the family arrives to Disney, Riqui is excited for Cinderellas castle and "El Ratoncito Miguel," Mickey Mouse. However, Riqui was disappointed when he couldn't go into Cinderellas castle since he wanted to play dress-up. He ends up buying a Mickey mouse doll and melting his crayons in the back of his dads precious car. Riquis family goes on vacation in Miami to Copa Hotel. There he meets Yetta Epstein who shares about  her life. Riqui gets left behind by his older cousins and brother. When Yetta invited Riqui to keep her company he accepts. They later talk about Yetta past as a Jewish woman and how she is from more than one place. She likes coming from many places and shows Riqui that he should feel good about his Cuban background. Riqui learns about the old Miami from Yetta and he shares about the Cuba his parents always talk about it. Riqui and Yetta bid their farewells towards the end of Riqui's vacation. As Riqui starts getting older he gains weight  and his Abuela helps him find a job at their families Bodega, "El Cocuyito." He later is forced to take out the cashiers daughter to her "Quinces" by his Abuela in an attempt to make him "Un Hombre," a man. Riqui does that to make his Abuela happy, but he was not attracted to his girl or any girl yet. During high school, Riqui's best friend Julio makes him ask out Anita. Riqui takes her out even though he felt no romantic feelings towards her. He later takes her to the dance where he kisses her, but when he  still feels nothing he realized he was different than the other boys. At "El Cocuyito", Riqui is getting stronger and gaining more responsibility. When a middle aged man named Victor starts working there, Riqui becomes intrigued with him. Victor was an artist and he tells Riqui about his past in Cuba. He tells him that he was jailed for loving another man so he fled Cuba. As the two grow closer to each other, Riqui starts becoming attracted to Victor. On Victors birthday, Riqui goes to his house, but things take a turn when Victor made a sexual move towards  him and Riqui resisted. Riqui came to terms that he was a gay man and Victor told him he needed to accept himself in order to be ready. As the book is coming to end, the family is preparing for their weekly picnic at "El Farito". The family also invited extended family for the barbecue his mom was preparing. Ariel was a family friend about Riqui's age. He brought a pig for Riqui's mom to roast and shared memories about Cuba with Riqui and his family. It seemed to bug Riqui how much Ariel knew about Cuba and  how easily he connected with his Cuban heritage. However, Ariel talks to Riqui and tells him to visit Cuba and stay connected. After the party Ariel and Riqui never meet again. As the memoir comes to an end, Riqui talked about the death's in his family and a touching visit to Cuba with his mother.