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bits12's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse
ayaminerva's review
- 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
3.75
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Structured like a memoir, the book takes us through generations and across countries as Violeta grows from a child to a centenarian and becomes witness to changes in political and sociocultural landscapes. These are captured as letters to her grandson, Camilo. The upheavals and unrest are framed from an upper class perspective but the progression allows for development and a shift of stance and beliefs.
Offhand, I once wondered why historical fiction are almost always told in a middle-upper income lens. I know now that if it is the voice of the poor, the pages may end under 50 as they are most often the first targets of violence.
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: War and Pandemic/Epidemic
bmpicc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
What really got me though was near the end. I think a lot of us can understand the fear of losing a partner. This paragraph says it all...
"I loved that man so much! I can't forgive him for abandoning me. He was so healthy that I was totally unprepared for his heart to suddenly burst. He had the lack of courtesy to die before me, even though he was thirteen years younger."
Moderate: Domestic abuse, War, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Abortion
jamieclower's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Death, Genocide, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Police brutality, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Child death, Sexual assault, Pandemic/Epidemic, Infertility, Drug use, Grief, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Addiction, Violence, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Cancer
amandamuchmoreparker's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child abuse, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Terminal illness, Abortion, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Drug use, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infidelity, and War
jravelar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, and Sexism
kryskross's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Police brutality, and Infidelity
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic and Terminal illness
chb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infertility, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Torture, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, War, Dementia, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization
kwahl's review
4.0
Graphic: Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Dementia, War, Domestic abuse, Murder, Police brutality, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
machenn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence