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idk_indigo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.75
This book was just so beautiful; a story about love & loss & grief. The first 1/3 of the book was, as other reviewers describe, very confusing. We don't figure out exactly who the narrator is until quite a ways through, though there are little hints here & there. We know he has some connection to the characters, and also that he is telling the first part of the story from a point in time where he is not yet born. I thought the reveal of him as the narrator was perfect. It was like a lightbulb moment. Very nice.
The prose was beautiful, if a little bit disjointed; but honestly, I think it made the story that much more interesting, and also made sense if this is from the POV of an old man who was, in the first half, not yet alive; and in the second half, a small boy. The closing scene was a little bit ambiguous, and I think it may come across as unsatisfying. I'm not sure if I'm fully satisfied, but I'm not unsatisfied either, if that makes sense? As in, I think the story ended in a fine place.
Simonopio as a character was sooooo cool; I loved him. I loved how nuanced he was, how little he bothered with others' expectations or beliefs of him. I loved the "adoption" storyline, and also the parallels between him as a young boy always running off & never being able to stay put in a bed or in a house; and Francisco, who was the same way but to a different degree. He was so lovable, and also so protective. And the fact thathe cared so deeply about Francisco Jr. that he "let him go" because he knew that it was the best way to ensure a fulfilling life for the little boy he loved so much... while also making the space for himself to stay in Linares; he knew that was where he belonged. I am so glad they made their way back to each other in the end!
Also, the opening few chapters of this book are so amazing; I started this book in December of 2021 (now February 2024, lol) & ended up DNF'ing it for various reasons (its slow pace, for example, bc oh my it is quite a bit sloooooooooooow). But I was drawn so much to the opening chapters that I just had to reopen it, and I'm so glad I did. What a beautiful story of brotherhood and of family!
#proudmemberoftheSimonopiofanclub
The prose was beautiful, if a little bit disjointed; but honestly, I think it made the story that much more interesting, and also made sense if this is from the POV of an old man who was, in the first half, not yet alive; and in the second half, a small boy. The closing scene was a little bit ambiguous, and I think it may come across as unsatisfying. I'm not sure if I'm fully satisfied, but I'm not unsatisfied either, if that makes sense? As in, I think the story ended in a fine place.
Simonopio as a character was sooooo cool; I loved him. I loved how nuanced he was, how little he bothered with others' expectations or beliefs of him. I loved the "adoption" storyline, and also the parallels between him as a young boy always running off & never being able to stay put in a bed or in a house; and Francisco, who was the same way but to a different degree. He was so lovable, and also so protective. And the fact that
Also, the opening few chapters of this book are so amazing; I started this book in December of 2021 (now February 2024, lol) & ended up DNF'ing it for various reasons (its slow pace, for example, bc oh my it is quite a bit sloooooooooooow). But I was drawn so much to the opening chapters that I just had to reopen it, and I'm so glad I did. What a beautiful story of brotherhood and of family!
#proudmemberoftheSimonopiofanclub
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Gun violence
evspekkie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Murder
baearles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Grief, Death, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Animal death, and Stalking
jennipiccalo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Classism, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death, Rape, Abandonment, Child death, and Pandemic/Epidemic
awebofstories's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Grade: A+
I was apprehensive about this one because I'm not particularly fond of bees (or, in general, insects). However, as it was a selection for one of my book clubs, I knew I had to try it. Yes, there are bees...but it's fine. They are there, but it isn't a big deal. If you are insect-averse, don't let that scare you off. If you do, you will miss an absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking story about two unforgettable brothers.
Our narrator is Francisco, the surprise, late-in-life child of a land-owning Mexican family. While he is treasured by his family, he loves no one more than the one he considers an older brother, Simonopio, who had been an abandoned baby raised by Francisco's family. Simonopio is not like other people--not only is he marked with a facial disfigurement, but he always surrounded by, and communicates with, swarms of bees. (I told you there would be bees).
If you are looking for a story about two boys against an indifferent or even abusive family, you will not find it here. This Francisco's parents are loving, attentive parents to both boys. While there is an external conflict as the nation of Mexico faces Civil War and change, the family is solid.
This story quickly founds its way into my heart and stayed there. The characters are all well-drawn. Even some of the secondary characters shined as bright as the main players. The narrative structure was quite interesting and the ending took my breath away. My favorite element, besides the relationship between Francisco and Simonopio, was just the perfect dash of magic realism.
I highly recommend this book as an excellent entry point to Mexican literature, or for anyone who is looking for a moving, engrossing work of historical fiction.
I was apprehensive about this one because I'm not particularly fond of bees (or, in general, insects). However, as it was a selection for one of my book clubs, I knew I had to try it. Yes, there are bees...but it's fine. They are there, but it isn't a big deal. If you are insect-averse, don't let that scare you off. If you do, you will miss an absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking story about two unforgettable brothers.
Our narrator is Francisco, the surprise, late-in-life child of a land-owning Mexican family. While he is treasured by his family, he loves no one more than the one he considers an older brother, Simonopio, who had been an abandoned baby raised by Francisco's family. Simonopio is not like other people--not only is he marked with a facial disfigurement, but he always surrounded by, and communicates with, swarms of bees. (I told you there would be bees).
If you are looking for a story about two boys against an indifferent or even abusive family, you will not find it here. This Francisco's parents are loving, attentive parents to both boys. While there is an external conflict as the nation of Mexico faces Civil War and change, the family is solid.
This story quickly founds its way into my heart and stayed there. The characters are all well-drawn. Even some of the secondary characters shined as bright as the main players. The narrative structure was quite interesting and the ending took my breath away. My favorite element, besides the relationship between Francisco and Simonopio, was just the perfect dash of magic realism.
I highly recommend this book as an excellent entry point to Mexican literature, or for anyone who is looking for a moving, engrossing work of historical fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Murder, and Death
koylosreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
acoffeeandagoodbook's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This slow-paced novel is beautifully written. The story unfurls slowly, drawing the Morales family to a disaster you know is coming. The end feels almost inevitable, and instead, what matters here is the journey to get there.
The translation is excellent, and I can only imagine how beautiful this book must be in the original Spanish.
I love a family saga, and this one is a triumph. Sad, yet hopeful. I also love a bit of magical realism, which this book also handles beautifully. It's never made clear why the mysterious Simonopio has such a mystical bond with bees, or how he is able to know some things before they happen. Instead, it is left up to the reader's imagination to fill in the blanks of this fascinating character.
The translation is excellent, and I can only imagine how beautiful this book must be in the original Spanish.
I love a family saga, and this one is a triumph. Sad, yet hopeful. I also love a bit of magical realism, which this book also handles beautifully. It's never made clear why the mysterious Simonopio has such a mystical bond with bees, or how he is able to know some things before they happen. Instead, it is left up to the reader's imagination to fill in the blanks of this fascinating character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and Blood
Minor: Child death, Bullying, and Ableism
carolinacortez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
"Mis recuerdos, mis impresiones vienen conmigo. Mi realidad, no se si la tuya, va conmigo a dondequiera que yo vaya y deja atrás la capacidad de reinventarse, de desarrollarse"
Se que me tarde un montón en leer este libro, pero la verdad lo ameritaba, la pluma de Sofía es preciosa y te encierra en la historia que te está contando super facil, me tarde por que es una historia que necesita que la estés digiriendo, que no te apresures a leerla, que entiendas lo que te esta contando y que vivas a través de las páginas la historia de Simonopio y Francisco, que entiendas que te está contando no sólo la vida de un undividuo (el narrador), si no de una familia completa, e incluso de una región.
Al principio me costó agarrarle la onda a la cantidad de nombres y el como están relacionados entre si, pero con el paso de las páginas te acostumbras y le agarras el sentido.
"El tiempo es un amo cruel y caprichoso, pues cuanto más lo deseas, más rápido se esfuma y viceversa: cuanto más quisieras escabullirse de él , más inmóvil parece."
Pd. tengo que admitir que si me emociono mucho el hecho de que la historia transcurra en Linares y que Monterrey también tenga sus menciones estelares.
PD2. si lo leen prepárense para llorar, mucho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Sexual harassment, Murder, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and War
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Colonisation, Vomit, Child death, and Medical content
ziniana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
Linda historia, pero hay que repetirse cada cinco minutos no tomarse muy a pecho que los ricos de descendencia blanca sean los buenos/ héroes y que los pobres de descendencia indígena (o no blanca) sean los malos- o bien, que sean mágicos y actúen como un bálsamo para los protagonistas. De lo contrario, es imposible disfrutar de lo bonita que es la prosa y la historia (que, a pesar de estar bien fuera de tono, tiene arto corazón).
Definitivamente no es un libro para leer en pandemia.
Definitivamente no es un libro para leer en pandemia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Colonisation and Racism
lizcaruth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
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