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kimberlybetweenstanzas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
amallard's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I find it difficult to enjoy a book if I can't connect with a prominent character, and unfortunately that happened here - my favourite literally arrived on page 12 dead. While many of the others were mystical, funny, absurd, they weren't capitalised on. Few had agency. When Allende raised her characters so lovingly, it became frustrating to see them become instruments in a plot that ultimately followed Esteban Trueba. A scorner of magic, an epitome of toxic masculinity...I don't think most of us picked up the book to read about him.
I understand that, in a way, it had to happen. The androcentric culture of the time created natural limitations for Allende's women. Setting aside their magical influences for the ugly, political landscape was deliberate. But I wanted. I wanted strong women, even if their spheres of influence must be small. I wanted to see the magic do something.The magic! Did nothing here! It moves the furniture, adds a charm to descriptions, but Clara never uses it. She spends half her time consulting with spirits, yet they don't affect the plot at all.
I didn't hate the book, though. The scale tips in favour of like over dislike. It was incredibly readable, the lines slipping away under the eye; I could put away a hundred pages in one sitting. It was fascinating to read such a well-informed depiction of Chilean culture and heritage. There were some really funny scenes. But I'm disappointed my affection for it couldn't grow into love, when it had such potential.
I understand that, in a way, it had to happen. The androcentric culture of the time created natural limitations for Allende's women. Setting aside their magical influences for the ugly, political landscape was deliberate. But I wanted. I wanted strong women, even if their spheres of influence must be small. I wanted to see the magic do something.
I didn't hate the book, though. The scale tips in favour of like over dislike. It was incredibly readable, the lines slipping away under the eye; I could put away a hundred pages in one sitting. It was fascinating to read such a well-informed depiction of Chilean culture and heritage. There were some really funny scenes. But I'm disappointed my affection for it couldn't grow into love, when it had such potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia and Pedophilia
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