36 pages • 1 hour read
A Cup of Water Under My Bed
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Book Brief
A Cup of Water Under My Bed
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2014201
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
New Jersey • 1980s-1990s
2014
Adult
16-18 years
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.
Contemplative
Emotional
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
2,459 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
2,459 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Hernández's Parents
Hernández's Parents
Her Colombian mother and Cuban father who emigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s to work in textile factories, contributing to the backdrop of her memoir.
Hernández's Aunts
Hernández's Aunts
Three aunts who are part of her upbringing and significantly influence her reflections on family dynamics and cultural identity.
Hernández's Sister
Hernández's Sister
A sibling with whom Hernández grew up in New Jersey, part of the familial context shaping her experiences and reflections.
201
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
New Jersey • 1980s-1990s
2014
Adult
16-18 years
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