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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
This book was so well done, and I loved it. I ended it with tears in my eyes.
So many great characters, such vivid and memorable scenery. The story may have diverted a little much for direct political commentary instead of just incorporating; the abrupt person-change and narrator shift did not “work for me;” and the ending was rushed. Overall, a good and memorable novel packed into a tight space.
Mi opinión: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZQRi9lLjqI/
overall, it’s an impactful and moving story about two colombian migrants, mauro and elena, and their three children and how they are separated between the united states and colombia. there were certain chapters that really left me reeling and the prose is just how i like it: simple yet lyrical, clear and precise. i also loved the inclusion of colombian mythology and the father’s indigenous heritage being incorporated into the story.
however, i think that there were a couple things that brought down my rating. first, i think that the author does third person narration best and i found the shifts to first person in some chapters to be jarring. it’s probably to highlight the differences in how the two children in the US define and tell their own narrative vs the story unfolding in colombia, but i found the writing in those chapters to be less compelling. i also thought that the story was imbalanced between mauro, elena, and their children, with talia, the youngest, being highlighted far more than her siblings. i would almost have preferred it if the story centered on mauro and elena OR if there was a little more of an equal distribution between the children. having one or two chapters from the two children in the US felt more like an afterthought than a real addition to the book. altogether, still a book that i’d recommend reading but not a book that i found myself fully enjoying.
however, i think that there were a couple things that brought down my rating. first, i think that the author does third person narration best and i found the shifts to first person in some chapters to be jarring. it’s probably to highlight the differences in how the two children in the US define and tell their own narrative vs the story unfolding in colombia, but i found the writing in those chapters to be less compelling. i also thought that the story was imbalanced between mauro, elena, and their children, with talia, the youngest, being highlighted far more than her siblings. i would almost have preferred it if the story centered on mauro and elena OR if there was a little more of an equal distribution between the children. having one or two chapters from the two children in the US felt more like an afterthought than a real addition to the book. altogether, still a book that i’d recommend reading but not a book that i found myself fully enjoying.
I couldn't fully get into this — I didn't really like the writing style as much and there were so many perspectives and story threads that seemed to jump around. Parts of it were very interesting and touching
This was a beautifully written and powerful book about migration, hope and the lengths parents will go to for a better life for their children. Andean and Columbian legends relating to the condor, the jaguar and the snake are mixed with the story of a family seeking the promise they think will be contained in the US. The five members of the family all have different experiences, and different immigration statuses. Fifteen year old Talia was born in the US but went back to Columbia with her dad as a baby. She has just escaped from the prison school she has been sent to so she can make it back to Bogota for her flight to the US to be reunited with her mother and siblings. Parents Mauro and Elena escaped from Columbia in the days where drugs, guns and murder were all they saw.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“ […] love comes paired with failures, apologies for deficiencies. The only remedy is compassion.”
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes