53 pages • 1 hour read
Rigoberto GonzálezButterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Butterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa by Rigoberto González is a coming-of-age memoir about Rigoberto's life as a gay Chicano, shifting between his family's history as migrant agricultural workers in Mexico and the United States, his struggles with his identity, and his tumultuous relationships. The book explores themes of hardship, cultural displacement, and personal liberation. The source material features depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence, drug and alcohol misuse, and eating disorders.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Butterfly Boy by Rigoberto González is lauded for its evocative portrayal of a young man's journey of self-discovery and cultural identity. Readers commend its poetic language and raw honesty, though some find its pace slow. Overall, it is a poignant and powerful memoir that resonates deeply with themes of family and resilience.
Who Should Read Butterfly Boy?
A reader who would enjoy Butterfly Boy by Rigoberto González is likely interested in LGBTQ+ narratives and Latino cultural experiences. Fans of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros or Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz will find this memoir's poignant exploration of identity and family deeply engaging.