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ayumi_can_read's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
3.75
Heartbreaking yet inspiring, I’m not the biggest fan of older american literary styles but this book is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Death of parent, War, Alcohol, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Racial slurs, Chronic illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
vemilla's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
Even though this was a book I had to read for a literature class, I was excited to read something by a Filipino author. My overall of this though is a bit disappointing. While there are many moments of pause that make you think about what Bulosan was trying to say about the struggles of immigrants, there were times where I felt he didn't mean what he said (in terms of his faith in America). There was a lot of back and forth in terms of his feelings toward America, like he couldn't make up his mind, which ultimately left an ending that felt open ended, as if it was incomplete.
There were times where I wanted to stop reading but I kept pushing through, even when I was ready to close it. One of the few things I appreciate though is how he managed to place in every character that had come through in his life to remind him of humanity, both good and bad. Although, there were times where I couldn't remember everyone (it's a lot of characters), it's important to not only tell Bulosan's life, but to tell others lives as well. No matter where one is from or what ethnicity, there are always good and bad within everyone, flaws and all.
There were times where I wanted to stop reading but I kept pushing through, even when I was ready to close it. One of the few things I appreciate though is how he managed to place in every character that had come through in his life to remind him of humanity, both good and bad. Although, there were times where I couldn't remember everyone (it's a lot of characters), it's important to not only tell Bulosan's life, but to tell others lives as well. No matter where one is from or what ethnicity, there are always good and bad within everyone, flaws and all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Cursing, Violence, and Gun violence
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