76 pages • 2 hours read
Gary SotoBuried Onions
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Buried Onions by Gary Soto follows the struggles of Eddie, a nineteen-year-old Mexican American living in Fresno, California, as he navigates poverty, loss, and temptation while trying to find a way out of his bleak circumstances. Throughout several weeks, Eddie deals with the recent deaths of loved ones, attempts to stay away from gang violence, and faces various personal and professional setbacks, all while contemplating his future. The novel addresses issues of violence, death, and crime.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gary Soto's Buried Onions is praised for its lyrical prose and realistic portrayal of a young Chicano man's struggles in Fresno. Critics appreciate its authentic voice and rich cultural detail but note the novel's somber tone and pacing might deter some readers. Despite these minor drawbacks, it remains a poignant exploration of resilience and identity.
Who Should Read Buried Onions?
A reader who would enjoy Gary Soto's Buried Onions is typically a young adult interested in coming-of-age stories set in urban environments. Fans of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton or The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie will find its themes of struggle and perseverance compelling.
176
Novel • Fiction
Fresno, California • 1990s
1997
YA
14-18 years
850L
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