The Prince of Los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood

“Cómo inventan los americanos.”

Abuela marvels at American inventions every time she tries a new food Blanco brings to her. She’s amazed by theirAmerica’s ability to put cheese in a can, potatoes in a box, and strawberries in a toaster pastry amazes her. Blanco writes that not much intimidates Abuela is not intimidated by much, but Americans do. she’s intimidated by Americans; sShe resists shopping at Winn-Dixie, but once there, she’s impressed by the wide array of unknown products impresses her. When Aa miscommunication frightens her, and she doesn’t return , but she continues to enjoy the foods Blanco brings home—usually with her own Cuban addition, chiding “[t]hose americanos with all their rules” (20). This incident demonstrates the ambivalence of Blanco’s family toward America: while they love the country that’s saved them from an oppressive regime, they struggle to immerse themselves fully in American society.

“This was the world I wanted to live in. This was America.”

Winn-Dixie is contrasted with the Cuban bodegas where Abuela prefers to shop. It represents a quintessential American experience. The Prince of Los Cocuyos traces Blanco’s struggles to accept his Cuban heritage, which he simultaneously rejects and strives to connect with. In Chapter 1, Blanco admires the crisp, clean Winn-Dixie store with its soft music, bright lights, and technologically advanced checkout counters.