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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia
I was smitten with this book as soon as my local bookshop posted a glimpse of the novel's first sentence: "It was her idea to tie up the nun." I ordered it then and there, and didn't know anything else about the book (aside from continuing to see it everywhere and hearing accolades) until I started reading. So I didn't realize this book wasn't really about nuns, and the devious "her" we're initially introduced to is only one of a family of protagonists.
This book was heartbreaking in many ways. To see a family torn apart and brought together in different assortments across time and countries without knowing when they'd all reunite due to US immigration policy. What was beautiful was the family's commitment to each other and determination to be together again. American medical workers and Elena's middle-class employers repeatedly questioned Elena and Mauro's judgment in continuing to have kids when they had no economic security. The couple was "irresponsible" in the Americans' view. What stood out was Elena's response. That she didn't see additional children as a burden but a gift. That their togetherness as a family was most important and the measure of their joy.
This book is a beautiful testament to family and love, as well as a complicated relationship to place and nation. I was anxious about the characters' journeys to reunion and read the entire book in two sittings.
This book was heartbreaking in many ways. To see a family torn apart and brought together in different assortments across time and countries without knowing when they'd all reunite due to US immigration policy. What was beautiful was the family's commitment to each other and determination to be together again. American medical workers and Elena's middle-class employers repeatedly questioned Elena and Mauro's judgment in continuing to have kids when they had no economic security. The couple was "irresponsible" in the Americans' view. What stood out was Elena's response. That she didn't see additional children as a burden but a gift. That their togetherness as a family was most important and the measure of their joy.
This book is a beautiful testament to family and love, as well as a complicated relationship to place and nation. I was anxious about the characters' journeys to reunion and read the entire book in two sittings.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It gave a perspective that I have yet to be exposed to but it left me wanting more. More description and more depth in the plots. I think the story could have came alive a bit more through stronger imagery and more drawn out scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I think the book was successful in reaching the goal the author aimed for but I wanted more as a reader.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
emotional
tense
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Xenophobia
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Patricia Engel’s writing is like looking at a landscape painting. The scenery and life of Colombia jumps off the pages and builds the atmosphere, but her characters always stand in the foreground in detail. A story about belonging and longing for connection, Infinite Country could have been another 200 pages long and would have still been too short. With glimpses of her family’s life that brought us to the climactic journey of Talia escaping from a juvenile detention center Engel weaves a story of family and the places we are bound to.
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bought this book used because of the pretty cover, went into it with no expectations. I came out the other side not quite disappointed, but feeling about the same as I did when I started. It just wasn't for me.
Even though it is a short book I feel like I had to read it painfully slow to make sure I didn't get lost. And it did this weird thing towards the end where some of the chapters would be in the form of letters and I didn't know who they were from or to at first, it was very confusing. I felt like I had missed something.
I am pushing myself to read more books from perspectives different than my own and for that reason I am glad I read it!
Even though it is a short book I feel like I had to read it painfully slow to make sure I didn't get lost. And it did this weird thing towards the end where some of the chapters would be in the form of letters and I didn't know who they were from or to at first, it was very confusing. I felt like I had missed something.
I am pushing myself to read more books from perspectives different than my own and for that reason I am glad I read it!
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated