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princessklee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
kmatthe2's review against another edition
4.0
A heartbreaking collection of short stories. An impressive first outing from this author.
steller0707's review against another edition
4.0
Stories of the immigrant Cuban community in Miami, loosely connected by characters that recur in stories. The stories capture the successes and frustrations that come from their uprooting, as well as the poignancy that memories bring. Highlights are the prize-winning title story, as well as Hurricane Stories, The Perfect Fruit, The Party and Her Mother's House.
lorofox24's review against another edition
5.0
Pain, shame, and generational trauma... and humor to make it all bearable. I saw stories of my family reflected throughout the book.
lorolemman's review against another edition
5.0
Felt so familiar
As the child of a Cuban refugee, I saw bits and pieces of my family in these stories. No matter the level of abstraction or realism she chose to write with, I felt and recognized many of the joys and pains I see in my own world that I often do not see reflected in media. I loved it in a soul soothing way.
As the child of a Cuban refugee, I saw bits and pieces of my family in these stories. No matter the level of abstraction or realism she chose to write with, I felt and recognized many of the joys and pains I see in my own world that I often do not see reflected in media. I loved it in a soul soothing way.
divineauthor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
“How every story needed a beginning. How her past had come to seem like a blank page, waiting for the truth to darken it.” —Lisette, in “Her Mother’s House.”
this was so good in such a slow, meandering way. everything had such a heavy ache but written in such a light way that it balanced out. ugh!!! i do like some short stories better than others—“miami relatives,” “hurricane stories,” “the perfect fruit”—but i didn’t Not enjoy the other ones <3
this was so good in such a slow, meandering way. everything had such a heavy ache but written in such a light way that it balanced out. ugh!!! i do like some short stories better than others—“miami relatives,” “hurricane stories,” “the perfect fruit”—but i didn’t Not enjoy the other ones <3
csgvassar's review against another edition
4.0
Dreams. Reality. Memories. Ana Menendez weaves them all together in a way that makes you question whether they are all one in the same in her fascinating stories of the Cuban-American experience.
ramblingbard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
- 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