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mxunsmiley's review
This was such a wonderful creative undertaking. I felt Cisneros' pain and watched her road to rebirth as she asked San Antonio residents, including many of her neighbors, whether they had seen the cat Marie. Sometimes diving into life, into other people's lives, is the best remedy for coping with grief. I see how cathartic this story must have been for Cisneros, as she had lost her mother very recently. It certainly brought back many memories of when I was grieving for my grandmother, who I was very close to.
Cisneros, alongside Hernandez's evocative illustrations, manages to capture so many different personalities and lives in such a short space. I loved what she said in the afterword especially, how she wanted to portray the diversity of San Antonio's citizens, how beautiful the city is itself. I loved how she said they were what the Alamo manages to forget; it's long been a qualm of mine, how celebrated the Alamo is, and I'm sure Cisneros shares a lot of my ambivalence toward it.
I really do love the concept of picture books for adults. Such a medium shouldn't be restricted to children, though of course, many children's books appeal to adults as well. However, I think writing picture books for an adult audience is necessary, especially for stories like these. I greatly enjoyed this little book!
Cisneros, alongside Hernandez's evocative illustrations, manages to capture so many different personalities and lives in such a short space. I loved what she said in the afterword especially, how she wanted to portray the diversity of San Antonio's citizens, how beautiful the city is itself. I loved how she said they were what the Alamo manages to forget; it's long been a qualm of mine, how celebrated the Alamo is, and I'm sure Cisneros shares a lot of my ambivalence toward it.
I really do love the concept of picture books for adults. Such a medium shouldn't be restricted to children, though of course, many children's books appeal to adults as well. However, I think writing picture books for an adult audience is necessary, especially for stories like these. I greatly enjoyed this little book!
jwinchell's review
4.0
I loved the small moments in this very unique story about loss. I loved the way the illustrations complemented and deepened the narration.
amycrea's review
4.0
Looks like a child's book, but it's really not. A perfect gift for someone who's grieving.
abiggail's review
4.0
This little book is filled with so much emotion. You feel the love, the loss, the grief, and the eventual finding of oneself through the story of a lost cat. What I love even more is the sense of community and culture behind the book. The people, buildings, and places that are illustrated and written are all real. It tells a story of the people of San Antonio; as Sandra Cisneros writes, “of cultures colliding and creating something new”.
moon_dude's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is a love-letter to a community and to the experience of grief. The illustrations are so beautiful!
rebeccazh's review
Gentle story about coming to terms with grief. The search for Marie is an outward manifestation of the protagonist's search for her deceased mother.