Song of the Hummingbird
$12.95
Language : English
Paperback : 217 pages
ISBN-10 : 9781558850910
ISBN-13 : 978-1558850910
Lexile measure : 880L
Item Weight : 10.6 ounces
Dimensions : 5.52 x 0.65 x 8.64 inches
Description
From Aztec princess to slave and concubine, Hummingbird–or Huitzitzilín in her native Nahuatl–recounts her life during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Expressing a confidence and freedom that women have strived for centuries to attain, Huitzitzilín passionately relates her tale to Father Benito, the priest who seeks to confess and convert her, to offer her an absolution she neither needs nor wants. Instead, she forces him to see the conquest, for the first time, through the eyes of the conquered.
21 reviews for Song of the Hummingbird
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Ophelia Torres –
Excellent reading !!!!
An incredible account of history through the perspective of the conquered. Powerful interaction between the priest and ‘Hummingbird’ whose confession challenges his version of history, religion, and the truth. Beautifully captured is the strong emotion felt by the characters as the story unfolds.
Bajamarta –
I loved this story of the Aztec princess and the priest.
This novel was captivating and magical. The words and sentences drew me in to a land of my Aztec ancestors. I felt, smelled, visualized every scene and every xhapter. I have never been so haunted and enchanted by written words on a page. If I could rate 10 stars, this novel deserves a 10! Gracias Graciela Limón!
toni –
a real eye-, mind-, and heart-opener!
— a blend of fact and fiction that is bound to make even historians reconsider their previously learned “facts” to date.
graciela limon, with her Song of the Hummingbird, has created a thought-provoking literary masterpiece! deep from within its lyrical pages we hear huitzitzilin (hummingbird) as she sings the songs of her ancestors. she sings to set the record/s straight, “to break the silence that has broken her people’s spirit” and to tell a story that demands to be heard.
as her appointed confessor, father benito finds himself forced to sit and listen to what he, at first, considers to be mere “ramblings” of an old mexica — who proceeds to quickly and surprisingly engage him – as she proudly, passionately and, at times even playfully re-tells the past as she knows, remembers and has lived it. after many hours, that carry over into days, spent with the outspoken and intelligent woman, the priest slowly begins to see things from a different “i” — and not only hears huitzitzilin’s words, but also begins to feel the pain of her cry — as she paints for him a picture of a past that had never before been imagined by his foreign eyes.
although at times shocked and often astounded by hummingbird’s “warblings,” the young man of the cloth begins to question that which he was, as a naive school-boy, taught, and he, as a novice, learned — and finds himself conflicted and curiously “torn” …. why had he never before conceived of the natives as having families? how is it that he never believed them to shed tears? who was more savage and barbarian? — the bearded warriors who spilled blood in the name of the cross and salvation — or the mexica lords with their crimson-stained sacrificial slabs — both the practices and preachings led to torture, suffering, death and …. annihilation — of individuals, masses, cultures and entire civilizations; losses to be mourned.
with their songs, both hummingbird and limon help to open closed hearts and broaden narrow minds by reminding listeners and readers that there is often a fine line between fact and fable; and that one must look to the past, not only with a discerning mind, but with an understanding and human heart — as, in the end, did father benito; who, in a sense, as he re-wrote history, was reborn. thanks to his, and limon’s efforts, hummingbird’s song “will live on forever – because her words have been captured on paper!”
absolutely beautiful! a refreshing new perspective on the culture clash, conquest and coming together of an old and the new worlds. a book that makes a strong statement and argument (several) about and for, above all things,: understanding differences, accepting diversity and “forgiving” the most incomprehensible behaviors.
written in tenderly touching, humorously entertaining and educationally engrossing ways.
i highly recommend it to – and for – everyone!
Jackie0318 –
song of the hummingbird
I read this book as a requirement for a class of mine. it’s a great book! couldn’t put it down. highly recommend.
Ann G. King –
This is an excellent book, great reading and an amazing insight to the Aztec Culture and what they went through went Mexico was invaded by the Spanish Conquistadors.
Eyvett Arias –
Great book. I finished it in a few hours. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it. Loved it!
Sergio –
Bought this book for my daughter. Loved it, when I first read it!!
Briana –
Loved it! I had to read it for class so I wasn’t really excited about it! But I thoroughly enjoyed it!
F.Guerra –
I do not like reading but had to read this one for a class and I actually enjoyed this book.
Mary Hall Patrone –
A Beautiful Story
This is a textbook for one of my classes. I am really enjoying it, and will read it again!
AG_Mom –
I really like this book
I really like this book. I read it again every few years. Gives a different perspective on the Spanish conquest.
elvia –
I really enjoyed it.
I most definitely recommend this book! It is so insightful and really helps you see that there truly is two sides to every story.
Viri –
Awesome book, loved how it is telling a historical event about the Spaniards who invaded the mexicas in a storytelling version.
River Salazar –
this book opens your mind. As a Mexican woman i can relate to it greatly, i enjoyed the characters and the plot. Its just great read it.
Lizzie –
The story was really good. It was sad and very good
The story was really good. It was sad and very good. The history of the story was true but the main character is fictional. The priest is such a virgin he’s funny and stupid. I love it. This book amuses me.
Jen –
This book has opened my eyes to seeing things in a different perspective. Even tho it is not all valid and true I know most is and that most is proof that the Mexia people of tenochtitlan were robbed of their land of their home.
Veronica G –
This book is a great story about Aztec and Spanish histroy told by an old Indian woman who lived through the conquest. It is captivating and moving. A wonderful way to learn a little history about how Mexico came to be what it is today.
cort –
really good story easy read very interesting, would recommend to anyone who is interested in history or the aztec people.
Evelyn Villagran –
It was breathtaking to learn the ties of our roots as Chicano’s I’m in awe after reading this wonderful book
Amazon Customer –
Such a great story showing the effects colonizers had on indigenous populations in Mexico. Highly recommended for all readers and all ages
jorgomez5683 –
Although it is a novel it does mention key things that occurred in real life. The book was easy to read and it is very highly recommended for a good read or for any college student looking to buy.