Crash course in telenovelas comparing Encanto & Enchanted Hacienda with 1993 Cafe Con Aroma de Mujer & La Mentira etc

I've been trying to find fiction in English about Hispanic characters that reflect my experiences and has some of what attracts me to classic telenovelas (some faves based on books currently streaming on demand include 1998 LA MENTIRA, 1993 CORAZON SALVAJE & especially 1993 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER on Vix--see previous November 2023 blog posts. Following remarks previously appeared on LAPL catalog as Borrower reviews titled HISPANIC CULTURAL HERITAGE & ENCHANTED HACIENDA / ENCANTO.) 

So far I'm mostly disappointed that writers in English with Latinx names just don't get what I experience & feel (i.e. L.A. WEATHER and YOU HAD ME AT HOLA--tho BARBARIAN NURSERIES was interesting).  I decided to compile list/recipe/menu selections of what I'm looking for and enjoy.  So far, J.C. Cervantes novel seems it might tick some of following boxes on my wishlist.   

Negative review of ENCHANTED HACIENDA on LAPL was by borrower who quit after 35 pages, but might have stayed with story longer if she'd understood that first on list of 8 essential narrative elements in romance genre explained in A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis is "a definition of society, always corrupt, that the romance novel will reform".

 

Other reviewers on GoodReads balked both at penchant of protagonist in ENCHANTED HACIENDA going around "como Dios lo trajo al mundo" (in birthday suit) & ironically, for wearing $400 dress at important event of close friend of her grandmother--apparently not seeing that removal of masking costume reveals her true, authentic self without pretenses.

On topic of world that judges by appearances, creator of UGLY BETTY aka Yo Soy Bety La Fea  Fernando Gaitan had earlier Colombian telenovela CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER with scene at cocktail party where hero Sebastian's jaw may literally drop on seeing his love (former migrant crop harvester Gaviota) now elegant in gown made by her seamstress mother copying high fashion magazines--he realizing young woman can have her pick of rich & powerful men flocking around her.

To quote screenwriter George at a loss for words when Carmen models form-fitting mini-dress in Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive boutique--"Wow".  In contrast to PRETTY WOMAN shopping spree, tho wealthy George in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA offers to buy her dress, Carmen prefers to use her own money to shop at flea market or swap meet, saying "for price of this piece of fabric, my entire family (seven people) could have dinner--and they are big eaters."

Gaviota's critical remark when gal pal shows her photo in high society gossip magazine of gown costing thousands (which to her looks ugly) worn by wife of duke or prince--"he should have paid that money to make her stay home".  Expensive clothing is not always becoming, just a price tag to show off.  

For those who flunked Literary Appreciation 101, try hilarious novel UNBEARABLE BOOK CLUB FOR UNSINKABLE GIRLS by Julie Schumacher, brilliantly creating modern versions of 3 young Jane Austen protagonists, plus girl genius teenage writer of FRANKENSTEIN, one of books by women read for AP class taught by Ms. Radcliffe (see Mysteries of Udolfo inJane Austen's Northanger Abbey), transforming spa pump room in Bath, England into public swimming pool in Delaware.  

 

Translating Latinx cultural heritage as seen in telenovelas requires more than looking up words in dictionary.  I hope you will take this meandering tour introduction to interpreting Hispanic storytelling that is increasingly appearing in English language productions.

ENCHANTED HACIENDA of magical flower-growing family reminds me a bit of Hacienda La Flor in 1998 telenovela LA MENTIRA where lovers, as in myths of rebirth, eventually bring back life to surrounding community that at first seems a dry and dusty barren wasteland. 

Inspiration for Estrada family's picturesque hometown El Viento (the wind) is San Miguel de Allende, home of Jurado family in 2021 telenovela PARIENTES A LA FUERZA which includes wind & air imagery--including "torbellino"/whirlwind in very creative re-imagining of  WIZARD OF OZ (more details in planned future post titled "Follow the Rainbow" which had once appeared on LAPL Borrower review of 1939 film DVD with Emerald City towers cover).

See also November 2023 blog post on Disney's ENCANTO, which appears to be part of inspiration for ENCHANTED HACIENDA.  Recently also saw connection between classic film love story CASABLANCA and Hacienda Casablanca in Colombian CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER detailed in another November 2023 blog post. (Please save your own copy to refer to, and share with others in case blog--like LAPL reviews--ever disappears in uncertain future.)    

One "learning trick" Joseph Keenan recommends in his book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER'S SPANISH:  listen to songs in Spanish.  Music videos, most with lyrics LETRAS provided, are available online for CAFE's 2 soundtrack albums.  Songs feature variety of Latin music styles including Mexican Ranchera.  Play for your own Hispanic celebration!  https://www.letras.com/margarita-rosa-de-francisco/discografia/cafe-con-aroma-de-mujer-1994/

Important to note that in stories made and set in Latin America, inhabitants don't conform to narrow concept by "Anglos" about what they should look like.  Leading man of LM & CAFE has no so-called "Latin" blood, but since he was born in Brazil & grew up all over the Americas, he feels he has "un corazon latino" (Latin heart).  On Instagram account, he proudly points at his screenwriter wife wearing t-shirt saying "I'm Mexican.  What's your super power?"

More than a few born and bred natives of Latin American have European ancestry from France & other non-Hispanic countries.  Did you know Colombian actress Sofia Vergara is natural blonde, but had to dye her hair dark to portray Latina on USA TV series?  

Related to such stereotypes are "Hispanics in USA" story re-treads.   I couldn't identify with IN THE HEIGHTS.  Back in 1940's, several generations of women in my family on La Isla had already attended university and one was a professor. 

Although online CNN story on Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY tells how it tries to be more authentic, residents of Puerto Rico say "the States", not A-me-ri-ca (What, did South American continent, along with Central, Mexico and various assorted islands vanish into thin air?)  

My family tree also includes Latin music composer who mastered eight musical instruments, likened to Augustin Lara, husband of Maria Felix.  Lara's famous facial scar may be reason for name choice of ENCANTO's accident-prone piano player. 

Reminds me CAFE's leading man also has scar, but under his chin, not visible unless filmed when lying down, result of childhood accidents of active, adventurous little boy:  once took header off bike he wasn't supposed to be riding in the dark; another time fell when climbing on metal trash can.  More on topic of alleged "imperfections" that actually are positive traits at end. 

Many "flavors" of Hispanics are included in cast of PARIENTES A LA FUERZA streaming on Spectrum, set in Los Angeles--besides "the usual suspects" are Afro-latinos, Asian-latinos, "gringo"-latinos.  Important major theme of PALF is "Authenticity versus Appearance". I also appreciate main characters--including the romantic leading man--being mature adults in middle age; and among younger characters, realistic body types: "Real Women have curves" like Yuli and Gina!

MY TOP FIVE WISH LIST FOR READING OR VIEWING:

UNO--Set in lovely location, preferable in countryside away from polluted, cramped ugly cities.  Being close to nature frequently brings story in touch with powerful forces often ignored by urban dwellers--fertility of the earth, strength of vast ocean, hurricanes, earthquakes evoking ancient legends and mythology involving epic heroes and gods which human characters may personify.  Magical realism is more likely to happen in places where minds aren't constrained by puny works of humans enslaved and blinkered by technology.  

Wealthy coffee planter Sebastian likens himself to Adam in Garden of Eden, who didn't know he was lonely until he met Eve, in person of young woman coffee harvester nicknamed Gaviota--for far-flying seagull in her favorite song--whose given name is Teresa ("tierra"/earth). 

Fire & water symbolism represents depth of love in 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER.  

Literally impotent Sebastian wears sunshine yellow shirt during his tour de force, literally "dark night of the soul", raging against the dying light at his seeming destiny to be last of his lineage, losing only woman he can love.  In Ch. 85-89, he is beach bonfire, sun & moon; blue-eyed Gaviota is boundless ocean.  Flag of Colombia is yellow, blue & red (see Wikipedia). 

 

When business trip becomes "honeymoon", lovers spend day at the beach & go scuba diving among fecund sea life.   After seeing beach body, got to commiserate with Lucia over "out of order sign" fig leaf. 

During her ascending career, seagull Gaviota gains allies with names beginning with "mar" (Spanish for sea); Margarita, Marta, Marlon, etc.

As many of CAFE's actors & writers seem bilingual, names with "sea" sounds such as Nancy, Cecilia, may also have been chosen intentionally.

DOS--Romantic relationship isn't limited to mainly physical attraction, but includes a lot of what makes a partnership really work, like shared values and goals, being supportive during hard times.  I'm turned off by snarky, snarling sophistication (never could stand James Bond--tho mature Sean Connery's self-depreciating sense of humor is something else.)

Role of romantic leading man is known as the "galan", related to old English noun "gallant".  

Names of ENCANTO's married "parejas" (pairs, which may have less physical connotations of mate or couple) seem made for each other:  sunny Felix ("feliz" means happy) jollies drama queen Pepa out of her gloomy moods). 

Augustin has First Aid at hand with healer Julieta (her name may refer to lovers who became poster children for "true love"--but if famed duo had survived to adulthood in real-world, after heated young blood had chance to cool, player Romeo might have continued his career as "mujeriego"/womanizer.)  

Name of despairing Dolores means sorrows; in traditional telenovelas, leading lady is often called "la sufrida" (one who suffers), often very lachrymose--which may tie in with salty sea water of nature topic, weeping as cathartic release.  Perhaps that is reason "the one" for her is poet Mariano, whose name includes maritime "mar". 

In more liberated stories, leading man (George in PALF, suffering Sebastian in CAFE, Demetrio in LA MENTIRA, or even Juan del Diablo in CORAZON SALVAJE) may get teary eyed to show he can feel emotions, empathy, sensitivity--contrasting with USA heroes typically "strong, silent type".    

I'd opt for male character who'd be a loving father, caring for his partner during pregnancy and post-partum period mainly ignored in fiction in preference to impossible 24/7 passionate encounters by idealized young fashion model/pin-up puppets with no commitment strings attached (can't repeat here Erica Jong's infamous term).  To create a visual image, I'd bypass a sleek, self satisfied panther, in favor of a playful smiling, loyal, friendly cuddly puppy dog.   

(Tho not original example of what I was thinking of, see Nancy Meyer's film THE HOLIDAY.  Re "thoroughly predictable" review cited on Wikipedia, Pamela Regis quotes romance writer Suzanne Simmons Guntrum, "it's the process, not the conclusion that we are reading for".) 

TRES--Familiarity with spiritual side of life. "Alma" (soul) is first name of abuela never used in film (see Wikipedia ENCANTO article).  Husband Pedro's--Spanish form of Peter--name means rock, as in New Testament saying Christian church is built on a solid foundation.

Several trinities appear in ENCANTO:  3 metamorphic stages of caterpillar/ chrysalis/ butterfly.  Prophet-actor-uncle Bruno has 2 alter-egos.  Telenovelas may feature love triangles to demonstrate strength of commitment between the two whom third person tries to get between.  FANTASTIC BEASTS films also show how choices we make shape future.   

In CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, female protagonist Gaviota (seagull; other birds also seen) develops a tri-part persona, using three different names reflecting frequent "Bendicion" given by her mother "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit", the later symbolized by a Dove.  Not just coincidence that Olivares, a last name she adopts, refers to olive trees that figure in both Bible and as gift to humans from goddess of wisdom Athena.

 

CUATRO--Perhaps due to limitation of space and content that can be covered in average length paperback, telenovelas spend much more time exploring characters and world they inhabit, a vicarious "visual vacation" tribute to beloved aspects of Hispanic culture, including music--and the beauty of their native tongue, the wonderfully melodious Spanish language.  

 

As Anglo blogger "La gringa novelera" says, "Everything sounds better in Spanish".  On retiring from legal career in Chicago, she actually moved to Mexico! 

PARIENTES A LA FUERZA streaming on Spectrum proves that story about Latin characters in all levels of society can also be set in USA, being about Hollywood screenwriter George Cruz living in Beverly Hills, who strayed from his Mexican cultural roots and family values. 

When his adopted son takes recent immigrant from Mexico to his uncle's Mexican restaurant in East Los Angeles, Andy explains to newcomer surprised to see someplace so like his homeland:  "Remember that California belonged to Mexico--and the land never forgets".     

Many telenovelas run around 100 episodes, although written with definite ending that entire story leads up to; like folk tales or Homer's Odyssey relating how testings, trials & tribulations prove the worth of characters.  Very different are USA-made soap operas seeming to wander around aimlessly "forever", drifting wherever hot topic flavor of the month may take it. 

Even more ephemeral fads are Instagram & Tiktok style videos with life-span like a day fly.  See M.C. Anderson novel FEED.  Reminds me of mid-century "Keeping up with the Joneses" & "Rat race" continually running but never arriving at satisfying conclusion & fullfilment.  

Hopefully, streaming on demand access to classic novelas may be corrective for lack of knowledge about genre that, like Wizarding World of Harry Potter, co-exists largely unnoticed by Engish-only speaking "Muggles".  (See review of FANTASTIC BEASTS 3--SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE screenplay.)

CINCO--I prefer spending my time with characters who are likeable, admirable "buenas"/"good guys"--or at least amusing "malos"/villains who get what's coming to them and/or repent.  

Feel-good, ultimately upbeat stories appeal to me much more than unfortunately spreading sub-genre led by Mexican Gothic full of dread and darkness.  Isn't there enough depressing things in the world already?  (see Ann Radcliffe Wikipedia article quote on "terror versus horror".)  Fresh floral instead of dank fungi is one reason I picked ENCHANTED HACIENDA.    

See part about anthurium flowers in blog post about CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER titled "Paradise lost, Paradise regained" to understand why giant palm tree may stand erect in front of Hacienda Casablanca in frequently shown establishing shots.

Seemingly related to that are two red Santa Claus candles around time when partners "married in name only" separately visit two areas with Spanish word "Santa" (Holy) in their names:  Santa Marta, which true loves will say is sacred to them; woman in pair will in fact have quilt-like cloth applique Nativity scene on wall of apartment she shares with her mother.  Christmas time decorations of wife "in name only" include clown doll/fool she likens herself to.

One thing I didn't care for in ENCHANTED HACIENDA book is casual coarse language (mostly at start) apparently to show characters are "contemporary"--but to me trend is offensive, disrespectful.  I kept wondering if this would tie in with plant fertilizer, like dragon dung in HP.  (Or may be like symbolic smoke/environmental pollution used in 1998 novela LA MENTIRA.) 

In ENCANTO, girl's shocked father says "Miercoles" (literally Spanish for Wednesday, euphemism for word similar to one in French).  End of complaint by Mirabel about her annoyingly perfect sister is cut off:  "She's the one who has roses coming out of her ..."Nowadays, too many don’t even notice what they’re saying, it’s become like breathing. Joke about 4 letter “s” word: "Must be something you really like, as it’s always in your mouth".

YA novel by one of my favorite writers--Newbery winner Lynne Rae Perkins--AS EASY AS FALLING OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH cleverly avoids baldly quoting too commonly used vulgarities, even if used to express extreme emotions of frustration, exasperation. 

By the way, unlikely duo's epic journey in FALLING eventually re-connects mature man with his estranged lady love at her home in Puerto Rico. I love when boy serves as translator on "Flower pot" island--and how a windmill helps fell common "barrier" between couple--term used in book A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis explaining 8 essential narrative elements in romance genre.  Reading this insightful study might greatly improve future novels, and increase reader appreciation of the field.

Influencer image-fed generation (see FEED, Science Fiction novel by M.C. Anderson) may not be able to see disconnect when stories purportedly about accepting imperfections simultaneously attempt to cobble together flawless unreal images.  Example:  more difficult to detect in animated movies use of several performers voicing a single character.  Ancient history lesson on "appearances can be deceptive" (Gilderoy Lockhart)-- Milli Vanilli debacle.

Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly may not have been the greatest singers in the world (tho arguably among greatest on-screen dancers), but were far more popular compared to likes of Mario Lanza (who?), in part due to their appealingly "flawed" looks (balding Fred) and personalities and popular tunes easier for Average Joes and Janes to hum and sing themselves.  (You do know male pattern baldness is due to male hormone testosterone, not "a lack" of, right?)    

 

Pre-recording revolution, many people used to sing, play musical instruments and dance socially to amuse themselves, family and friends at home--with no thought of becoming millionaires by performing--entertainment increasingly rare now, when many just sit and watch professionals, while themselves consuming high caloric nutritionally empty junk food, likely helping contribute to decline of physical & psychological health.  Disagree?  Then go out and sing, dance, make music and celebrate yourself!