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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I had no idea that this book wove in the recent historical events of Chile towards the end!
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
masterful, fantastical, magical. I loved this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
In the 98 pages of this I somehow managed to read before I got too disgusted the male main character up til that point:
- stalked a minor
- gaslit her into becoming his fiancé
- brutally raped a 15 year old
- moved her into his house to work for him there so he has easy access to her specifically to rape her repeatedly but don’t worry he made sure she enjoyed herself -gags-
- got her pregnant and then abandoned her
- raped multiple minors, impregnating a multitude of them
- ignored his multiple children because hey if the mom/child allowed him to rape them they must be easy and sleeping with other people right there’s no way that kid is his
- murdered several men that are mad at him for raping and abusing their family members with zero consequences
- abused the people that worked his land in a multitude of ways
- abused the people around him in general in a multitude of ways
- married a 17 year old
At that point I just couldn’t do this anymore. The summary calls this one of the most important novels ever written. I disagree. This book is disgusting and the male main character belongs below the jail. Do not recommend for absolutely anyone.
- stalked a minor
- gaslit her into becoming his fiancé
- brutally raped a 15 year old
- moved her into his house to work for him there so he has easy access to her specifically to rape her repeatedly but don’t worry he made sure she enjoyed herself -gags-
- got her pregnant and then abandoned her
- raped multiple minors, impregnating a multitude of them
- ignored his multiple children because hey if the mom/child allowed him to rape them they must be easy and sleeping with other people right there’s no way that kid is his
- murdered several men that are mad at him for raping and abusing their family members with zero consequences
- abused the people that worked his land in a multitude of ways
- abused the people around him in general in a multitude of ways
- married a 17 year old
At that point I just couldn’t do this anymore. The summary calls this one of the most important novels ever written. I disagree. This book is disgusting and the male main character belongs below the jail. Do not recommend for absolutely anyone.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
One of my favourite books! I first read it when I was 15 years old and was unable to put it down and read it throughout the night in one sitting! It's that good!
This book is a work of poetry with an incredible growth and development for each character. You live and grow old with each generations. It also highlight the intergenerational links between each section..it's a magical book.
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just as when we come into the world, when we die we are afraid of the unknown. But the fear is something from within us that has nothing to do with reality. Dying is like being born: just a change.
Three words to describe this book: sweeping, complex, melancholy
I am officially an Allende convert. I can't wait to read more of her books. I first heard about her on the TV show Jane the Virgin, and I can't believe I haven't picked up one of her books sooner.
If, like me, you love detailed and intricate stories with character-based development, then this book is a masterwork for that category. The novel spans three generations of the Trueba family in 20th-century Chile (not named but heavily implied).
The personal and the political blur in a fascinating way that really hit close to home for me. I think almost anyone can understand how political differences can cause tension within a family. The Trueba family sees the world transform from the 1940s and sees the rise of the communist movement and, eventually, the military dictatorship (junta) of Chile.
However, the heart of this book, for me, is the family. The character development is impressive for such a large cast of characters. Apparently, Allende was inspired by her own family, and that manifests in the diversity and complexity of each member of the Trueba family.
The ending is somewhat abrupt and unsatisfying, but I can understand why. When Allende published the book, the junta was still in power in Chile.
What a way to start the year!
tl;dr This book is outstanding and masterfully written, but it is long and character focused. Come for the amazing prose, and stay for the family dynamics and political commentary.
Three words to describe this book: sweeping, complex, melancholy
I am officially an Allende convert. I can't wait to read more of her books. I first heard about her on the TV show Jane the Virgin, and I can't believe I haven't picked up one of her books sooner.
If, like me, you love detailed and intricate stories with character-based development, then this book is a masterwork for that category. The novel spans three generations of the Trueba family in 20th-century Chile (not named but heavily implied).
The personal and the political blur in a fascinating way that really hit close to home for me. I think almost anyone can understand how political differences can cause tension within a family. The Trueba family sees the world transform from the 1940s and sees the rise of the communist movement and, eventually, the military dictatorship (junta) of Chile.
However, the heart of this book, for me, is the family. The character development is impressive for such a large cast of characters. Apparently, Allende was inspired by her own family, and that manifests in the diversity and complexity of each member of the Trueba family.
The ending is somewhat abrupt and unsatisfying, but I can understand why. When Allende published the book, the junta was still in power in Chile.
What a way to start the year!
tl;dr This book is outstanding and masterfully written, but it is long and character focused. Come for the amazing prose, and stay for the family dynamics and political commentary.