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bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I would have liked this book more if it had stuck to the central story. The interludes painting portraits of the other residents in the apartments were interesting, but I would have appreciated them more in a different context. As it was, they pulled me out of the main narrative at times when I wanted to know what was going to happen next, which meant I found myself hurrying through them impatiently, wanting to get back to the main story.
I would have liked this book more if it had stuck to the central story. The interludes painting portraits of the other residents in the apartments were interesting, but I would have appreciated them more in a different context. As it was, they pulled me out of the main narrative at times when I wanted to know what was going to happen next, which meant I found myself hurrying through them impatiently, wanting to get back to the main story.
roguedaffodil's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ari767's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bridgywidgy's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gspar's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
chaaatales's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rachel_macak's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
ashleywilliams0618's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daphelba's review
4.0
If you've ever internally or outwardly said, "Go Home!" when referring to an Immigrant or the politically-labeled and persecuted immigrant group, you really should make yourself read this book. If I could make you, I would.
This book will deliver so many emotions and on a level that even the most unsympathetic, entitled, American-born bastard ought to be able to embrace. If you can't put yourself in the shoes of the less-fortunate you have no business sharing your opinions about them. The opinions I crave are those of the well-rounded, well-read, and well-human'd.
Yes, it's fiction, but it's also very real. What happens to one family in The Book of Unknown Americans could happen to any family - yours, mine, or spread out across dozens of families. It's raw-life. What makes it so unbelievable and what makes you different, is that if you're enjoying a book, or reading my review on goodreads, you probably don't live in an area where desperation for safety and access to basic human rights are a concern.
This book will deliver so many emotions and on a level that even the most unsympathetic, entitled, American-born bastard ought to be able to embrace. If you can't put yourself in the shoes of the less-fortunate you have no business sharing your opinions about them. The opinions I crave are those of the well-rounded, well-read, and well-human'd.
Yes, it's fiction, but it's also very real. What happens to one family in The Book of Unknown Americans could happen to any family - yours, mine, or spread out across dozens of families. It's raw-life. What makes it so unbelievable and what makes you different, is that if you're enjoying a book, or reading my review on goodreads, you probably don't live in an area where desperation for safety and access to basic human rights are a concern.
I devoured this book in less than five hours and I laughed, cried, and sighed. It is Immigration from the viewpoints of Latino individuals from all different parts of the world, and from different walks of life. Stereotypes about Spanish-speaking cultures should be obliterated by the acceptance your heart must make for every character in this book - no label fits them all, except for maybe struggling and hopeful. And aren't we all?