Reviews

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

zgran25's review against another edition

Not interested

ninalem's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

becksreadsbooks's review against another edition

2.0

I think this was a well-written book, but it just was not for me. 

laurenisallbooked's review against another edition

4.0

A beautiful tale of the magic and resilience of women and the bonds that make family. Acevedo's ability to write is breathtaking, and ita a honor that she shared these characters and stories with us.

fricka's review against another edition

3.0

Audio

beebumle1125's review against another edition

I just could not get into this book. The jumping timelines felt jarring and this was just too slow paced for me. Even by 30% in I didn’t feel connected to the characters. I think I personally don’t enjoy books that are from multiple points of view versus a singular narrator. 

reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“Family Lore” by Elizabeth Acevedo

Flor has had a dream. Her family knows that her dreams are her gift, an omen of what is to come. So when Flor tells her sisters she wants to have a living wake, all thoughts turn to their past and the potential futures as they await what Flor will say about her dream when the time comes. 

This was a beautiful novel about sisterhood, family, and some of the specific cultural experiences related to being Americans emigrated from the Dominican Republic. Acevedo has knack for beautiful language and character development in a way that feels quiet and slow, but always engaging. I also really appreciated the lightness with which she handled the “gifts” of the women in th story. It could have been very heavy handed, coming across as a bit juvenile, but Acevedo gave these light mysterious touches just enough sway to gently move the plot when needed. They were less a feature and more a simple fact of the worldbuilding, which made this novel feel mature and fresh while still on moving universal themes. 

Overall I’m not sure if this will make it to my top 10 by the end of the year (it’s been a great year for books), but it is beautiful and touching and all of the heartfelt things that make for a perfect read. 

sumsunalli's review against another edition

3.0

I think I would have liked this better if I read it vs listened.

rmagika's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

keekbeeek's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0