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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The writing was crisp, emotive without melodrana, and the story was great overall. Still, it was easy to guess the Adelina/Juana connection.
An emotionally exhausting but necessary read. This novel gave me a much clearer understanding of the poverty some people live in and why they will travel to the US. The simple writing style made it easy to read this depressing story; I fell in love with Juana and struggled to read all the terrible things that happen to her. I highly recommend this book for those who wish to learn more about immigrants who cross the border.
The novel is about a young girl named Juana who will make the trip to the US and during her travels, she meets a girl named Adelina. I will not lie, this is probably close to The Kite Runner in terms of depressing. I would have to take small breaks to recover from the many terrible things that happen. What makes it more depressing is these terrible events happen to many young girls in and outside the US.
The highly popular novel American Dirt sensationalizes travel to the US border excessively, to the point of it becoming a thriller novel. But unlike that novel, this is grounded in realism and focuses on the daily struggle of people in extreme poverty.
This novel has made me wonder of the experiences my relatives/ancestors went through before coming to the US. I am grateful for the opportunities I have and this book reminds me of why I want to succeed in life. I highly recommend this book and I want to read more from Reyna Grande. She is a necessary voice in the Hispanic/Latino community.
The novel is about a young girl named Juana who will make the trip to the US and during her travels, she meets a girl named Adelina. I will not lie, this is probably close to The Kite Runner in terms of depressing. I would have to take small breaks to recover from the many terrible things that happen. What makes it more depressing is these terrible events happen to many young girls in and outside the US.
The highly popular novel American Dirt sensationalizes travel to the US border excessively, to the point of it becoming a thriller novel. But unlike that novel, this is grounded in realism and focuses on the daily struggle of people in extreme poverty.
This novel has made me wonder of the experiences my relatives/ancestors went through before coming to the US. I am grateful for the opportunities I have and this book reminds me of why I want to succeed in life. I highly recommend this book and I want to read more from Reyna Grande. She is a necessary voice in the Hispanic/Latino community.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Immigration story similar to Solito or American Dirt. Those were better.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting story. Roughly what the plot twist is going to be is pretty obvious. The decision to have no chapter numbers and instead each being a switch in the point of views is an interesting choice I found enjoyable.
However, the switches in point of view paired with the nonlinear narrative made it difficult to follow along and keep track of events at times.
Writing style is a little too plain and lackluster for my taste. It needs something more.
However, the switches in point of view paired with the nonlinear narrative made it difficult to follow along and keep track of events at times.
Writing style is a little too plain and lackluster for my taste. It needs something more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Vomit, Suicide attempt
I have been trying to remember the name of this book since I first signed up for goodreads , over 6 years ago now. I read this the last semester of college, almost 9 years ago now and the characters and the plot stuck with me (but apparently not the title or the author). I'd like to reread it.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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