Budnitz, Judy. Nice big American baby: stories.BUDNITZ, Judy. Nice big American baby: stories. Random House, Vintage. 285p. c2005. 0-375-72686-1. $13.95. SA With a touch of magic realism magic realism, primarily Latin American literary movement that arose in the 1960s. The term has been attributed to the Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier, who first applied it to Latin-American fiction in 1949. and an abundance of beautiful writing, Budnitz crafts 12 short stories that explore themes of patriotism Patriotism See also Chauvinism, Loyalty. America, Captain comic-strip character known as the “protector of the American way.” [Comics: Horn, 155–156] American elm traditional symbol of American patriotism. , motherhood, and love. The stories become increasingly impressive, showcasing Budnitz's masterful skill. A highlight is the opening story, "Where We Come From," told in three parts. A mother has seven sons and one daughter, Precious, so named to remind the mother to love her. In a time when sons were considered more valuable, Precious is often forgotten, until all the sons leave to join the military. The second part shows the daughter, now a pregnant woman, who refuses to give birth until she is on American soil to ensure she has a "nice, big, American baby." She struggles to get across the border, keeping her son inside for four years. The last part follows the son, born age four already, a mystery to the doctors. An American couple adopts him but they struggle to raise him and are confused by his perpetual silence. This opening story expresses a hope for something better for one's children. But each story tops the one before it, with an unusual twist on age-old themes. Budnitz employs a delicate, quiet sense of humor Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour , and her characters are well developed and fascinating. Joanna Joanna, in the Bible Joanna, in the New Testament. 1 Wife of Herod's steward Chuza. She was a follower of Jesus and was one who found the tomb empty. 2 Ancestor of St. Joseph. Solomon, West Newton West Newton is the name of various locations: in England
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