Latino, Hispanic Culture, Arts and Entertianment at BF Cafe

This week I spoke with Julia Amante, author of “Evenings at the Argentine Club.”

What/who was the inspiration behind your book “Evenings at the Argentine Club.”?

I was inspired to write EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB from a binder of letters between my father and grandfather after my father immigrated to this country. I was so moved by the emotion in those letter and the hopes and expectation that my father had for his future, that I knew that one day I wanted to write an immigration story. But I didn’t want it to be a typical story about the trials and hardships of immigrating, I wanted to show what happens after the initial “dream”. I wanted to show the realities of immigrating to America and the difficulties.

What books are on your night stand now?

I have a HUGE stack on my night stand and on the floor beside my night stand. I’m reading THE LIGHTENING THIEF, because my kids read it and they want to go see the movie. I just finished Jane Porter’s EASY ON THE EYES, and Reyna Grande’s DANCING WITH BUTTERFLIES. Now I’ve just started a werewolf book, LADY ANNE AND THE HOWL IN THE DARK which is something I don’t normally read, but I’m enjoying it.

If you were casting for the movie version of “Evenings at the Argentine Club”, who would be your picks for the main characters?

That’s tough one. There are very few Latino actors and you see the same ones over and over again. Have you heard of Eduardo Verastegui? He’s gorgeous and he’d probably be my first choice for Eric based on looks. As for Victoria, none of the current actresses would be a good fit. Singer Thalia would come close if she gained a few pounds. Victoria is a size 14 and this is one of the issues she has with herself. Not that she should, of course, since most “real” women are not super thin, but it’s an issue for Victoria in the book. Most Hollywood actresses are of course, very thin.

What’s on your “must see/must do in L.A.” list?

See the Hollywood sign and stroll Hollywood Blvd which is lines with interesting landmarks and people. Hit the beaches! Visit the J.Paul Getty Center, which I’ve yet to do, but because it’s supposed to be so great, it’s on my list of things to do — one of these days.

About the book:
Victor and Jaqueline Torres imagined moving to the U.S. would bring happiness and prosperity-instead they found a world of frustration. While Victor put long hours into his restaurant business, Jaqui devoted her life to her daughters, until they grew up and moved on. Even their eldest, Victoria, is torn trying to reconcile being the perfect Argentine daughter and an independent American woman. Antonio and Lucia Orteli face the same realities, especially when their only son Eric leaves their close-knit Argentine community in pursuit of his own dreams.

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Article written by Aurora Anaya-Cerda,
owner of La Casa Azul Bookstore

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