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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
While I enjoyed this book, at times it felt patchy, the narrative skipping disjointedly through space and time. I also felt like important details were purposefully left out - perhaps for security reasons? Although it was a deeply personal memoir, I found myself in particular questioning why Carmen's sister Ale, so much a presence in the earlier part of the book, faded into the background. Still, this book is gripping, and an enjoyable read. The read for all Canadians though? Not sure...
This book was incredibly eye opening to the political situation in South America in the 80s and 90s. I can't imagine growing up and living the life Carmen Aguirre lived. Everyone should read this for the moving story and to be a more aware citizen of this world. Thank you Ms Aguirre for sharing your story with us.
felt out of my depth for most of this memoir. here is a teen that joins her mother's underground fight against Pinochet and I know very little about South American politics. and it wasn't like it's just Chile I'm ignorant about. she lives in Bolivia and Peru and Argentina and all their leaders are mentioned. AND when she is a teen, it's quite vague what her parents are even doing as rebels. about 2/3rd through she herself becomes an adult and takes the oath of a revolutionary. then she writes with authority - smuggling what appears to be arms, procuring fake documents, flying supplies over the Andes to rebels in Chile. that's when the story finally got my interest.
but too little, too late. I found this mostly a chore to get through (and as an aside, her writing style annoyed me after awhile: heavily relying on the tactic of starting the story in progress and then backtracking to fill in all the details. it's how lots of long magazine articles suck you in, but overused - and in a novel - it got old quick)
but too little, too late. I found this mostly a chore to get through (and as an aside, her writing style annoyed me after awhile: heavily relying on the tactic of starting the story in progress and then backtracking to fill in all the details. it's how lots of long magazine articles suck you in, but overused - and in a novel - it got old quick)
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Really inspirational book, with captivating historical information and background.
The Good Stuff
Truly fascinating
She never feels sorry for herself or lays blame on her parents for her - um - wow unusual- childhood
So fucking brave for opening herself and laying everything raw and bare
Learned so much and never even realized that I was learning so much. Talked to many people about this one after I was done
Darkly funny
No holds barred
A truly admirable women - have already downloaded her latest book
Made me feel like I was truly blessed to live in the country I do, but at the same time guilty for my lack of knowledge on what is going on in different parts of the world
Would be a really good one to read for book clubs, as so many issues and themes that could be discussed
The Not So Good Stuff
I am mixed on this one in terms of the audio version. I love hearing her pronounce names and places the way they were meant to be said. But at the same time the reading was almost bland at times. I imagine this was hard for her to read and she probably was trying to protect her self by reading it this way, but for a listener it lacked the passion to go with the tale
Disjointed at times in terms of flow - but hello it was her first book and well obviously I cannot write either so who am I to judge
Jesus Christ people do despicable things in the name of power
As a mom it was hard to read this one as my natural inclination is to protect my child at all causes and never put them in such a dire situation. I don't understand how Carmen's mother could put her children ins such a volatile situation. But these are my feelings and I am no experrt so it is not my place to judge and who is to say what she did was wrong
Favorite Quotes/Passages
" She took the opportunity to remind Ali and me that organized religion had been invented by the rich and powerful to keep the poor down."
“A façade is when you make up a story because it’s dangerous to tell the truth. … It’s a story you make up when you are involved in something bigger than yourself and you don’t want to risk your life or the lives of others.”
4 Dewey's
Another one I didnt HAVE to review, I purchased this from audible with my limited funds - ok fairy godmother - you gave Cinderella a spectacular dress - all I want is to be out of debt, I already got my court jester which is soooo much better than a prince
Truly fascinating
She never feels sorry for herself or lays blame on her parents for her - um - wow unusual- childhood
So fucking brave for opening herself and laying everything raw and bare
Learned so much and never even realized that I was learning so much. Talked to many people about this one after I was done
Darkly funny
No holds barred
A truly admirable women - have already downloaded her latest book
Made me feel like I was truly blessed to live in the country I do, but at the same time guilty for my lack of knowledge on what is going on in different parts of the world
Would be a really good one to read for book clubs, as so many issues and themes that could be discussed
The Not So Good Stuff
I am mixed on this one in terms of the audio version. I love hearing her pronounce names and places the way they were meant to be said. But at the same time the reading was almost bland at times. I imagine this was hard for her to read and she probably was trying to protect her self by reading it this way, but for a listener it lacked the passion to go with the tale
Disjointed at times in terms of flow - but hello it was her first book and well obviously I cannot write either so who am I to judge
Jesus Christ people do despicable things in the name of power
As a mom it was hard to read this one as my natural inclination is to protect my child at all causes and never put them in such a dire situation. I don't understand how Carmen's mother could put her children ins such a volatile situation. But these are my feelings and I am no experrt so it is not my place to judge and who is to say what she did was wrong
Favorite Quotes/Passages
" She took the opportunity to remind Ali and me that organized religion had been invented by the rich and powerful to keep the poor down."
“A façade is when you make up a story because it’s dangerous to tell the truth. … It’s a story you make up when you are involved in something bigger than yourself and you don’t want to risk your life or the lives of others.”
4 Dewey's
Another one I didnt HAVE to review, I purchased this from audible with my limited funds - ok fairy godmother - you gave Cinderella a spectacular dress - all I want is to be out of debt, I already got my court jester which is soooo much better than a prince
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Violence, War
Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
It's always nice to see things from a different perspective. I disagreed with most of what was presented in the book, but it was nonetheless a very enjoyable book. What did really bother me was the historical inaccuracy of certain facts that I found misleading, especially when you are presenting to an audience that may not be as familiar with the history of the Chilean dictatorship. Very one-sided, but I guess that's the point of the work, to present her view of things, and that she did very well.
This book was so powerful and intense. I still had a lot of questions at the end, but overall, I thought the writing was excellent and the author's voice was very present. I've truly never read anything like this.