Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “At the Narrow Waist of the World: A Memoir” by Marlene Maduro Baraf, She Writes Press, April 6, 2019, for Suzy Approved Book Tours

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “At the Narrow Waist of the World: A Memoir” by Marlene Maduro Baraf, She Writes Press, April 6, 2019, for Suzy Approved Book Tours

“At the Narrow Waist of the World” is a Memoir written by Marlene Maduro Baraf that explains her growing up in Panama in the 1950s and 1960s.  The author is part of a large family of Spanish Jews that are in the Catholic part of Panama. The author does come to the United States as a teenager and feels the cultural differences.

Marlene Maduro Baraf uses many Spanish expressions in her memoir, which I found distracting and annoying. I do speak a little Spanish, and I understand that she feels that the word in Spanish describes her feelings better, but it takes away from the continuity of her story.

The author discusses the importance of family and friends. The author also mentions her relationship with her Mother and Grandmother. I appreciate that the author mentioned her mother’s problems with mental illness and how it affected their relationship.

The author vividly describes the landscape and large family gatherings. There is one scene where the author mentions preferring to swim in the Atlantic Ocean side of Panama since it is calmer than the Pacific ocean. I would recommend that you read this memoir if you are interested in this genre.