40 pages 1 hour read

Jimmy Santiago Baca

A Place to Stand

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2001

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

A Place to Stand by Jimmy Santiago Baca details his challenging journey from a troubled childhood with an abusive father and an absent mother, to time in prison where he discovers his talent for writing. After running away from an orphanage, Baca's life involves crime and incarceration, but he ultimately educates himself in prison and becomes a poet.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jimmy Santiago Baca's A Place to Stand is widely praised for its raw and poignant portrayal of his journey from a troubled youth to a celebrated poet. Critics highlight his powerful narrative and emotional depth. However, some feel the graphic depictions of violence and hardship may be overwhelming. Overall, it's seen as an inspiring and honest memoir about redemption through self-expression.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Place to Stand?

A reader who would enjoy A Place to Stand is someone captivated by narratives of personal transformation, overcoming adversity, and the profound impact of literature. Comparable to fans of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls or Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, they seek inspiring true stories that delve into the resilience of the human spirit.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Relationships: Family

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Education

Biography

Topics

Incarceration

Education

Race / Racism