36 pages 1 hour read

Daisy Hernandez

A Cup of Water Under My Bed

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2014

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernández is a memoir detailing her coming-of-age journey as a first-generation American with Colombian and Cuban immigrant parents in New Jersey, exploring themes of race, class, gender, and sexuality from the 1980s to the 1990s. Sensitive topics include instances of child abuse, anti-LGBTQ+ bias and violence, and negative references to Indigenous people.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Daisy Hernandez's A Cup of Water Under My Bed is praised for its poignant reflections on identity, culture, and sexuality, weaving personal anecdotes with broader social issues. Critics appreciate her lyrical prose and honesty. Some find the narrative structure occasionally disjointed, but overall, the memoir is lauded for its emotional depth and authenticity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Cup of Water Under My Bed?

Readers who relish exploring cultural identity, LGBTQ+ narratives, and family dynamics will find much to admire in Daisy Hernandez's A Cup of Water Under My Bed. Fans of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and Fun Home by Alison Bechdel will appreciate Hernandez's poignant, introspective memoir.

Recommended

Reading Age

16-18years

Book Details

Topics

LGBTQ

Gender / Feminism

Race / Racism

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Identity: Race

Identity: Sexuality

Genre

Biography