Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

Carlos Hernandez, a distinguished American professor and writer, intricately weaves his first-generation Cuban American identity and experiences into his storytelling. With a deep commitment to diversity and representation in literature, Hernandez explores issues of identity, family, and the fusion of diverse cultural elements, offering readers narratives that resonate with the rich tapestry of the multicultural world.

In Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, Hernandez leverages his Cuban American background to infuse authenticity into the narrative. He incorporates specific language nuances, aiming to capture the vibrancy and charm of how Cubans speak, which he describes as “loud, fast, loving, and fierce” (371). Hernandez seamlessly introduces Spanish terms like “cacaseca,” “madrugada,” and “asombrado.” Hernandez also has several characters who speak in a Cuban accent whose voices highlight its musicality.

Moreover, Hernandez addresses challenges tied to his multicultural heritage, such as instances of stereotyping. Yasmany, for example, derogatorily labels Sal a “white boy,” an insult that directly contrasts with the discrimination Sal faced in a Connecticut school, where he was deemed “too brown.” Additionally, by portraying Sal as a person with type 1 diabetes, Hernandez sheds light on the rising rates of diabetes in the American Latinx population, using his work as a platform for advocacy.