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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
[b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an #OwnVoices Latinx novel that takes place in the late 1970s and is about a young girl named Viridiana who is hired to be a translator for three Americans that are visiting Baja California. When one of them turns up dead, she’s caught in a web of deceit where she must decide whether she’s the hunted or the hunter.
The novel is advertised as being a thriller, but I would argue that it’s far more a noir mystery than anything else. It doesn’t have the same sense of exhilaration and heart-pounding intensity that is common amongst thrillers. Instead, it’s far more methodical and transfixing in its execution. There is a spectacular vibrancy to the examination of small-town life and this almost desperate need to escape it, which when combined with the scorching undercurrents of mythology, contrasting cultures, and the unfiltered frustrations of being a young female in an intolerably conservative community, create an irresistibly wicked tale.
[b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] is as sparse as Baja California with a terse prose that also manages to offer an incredibly vivid depiction of the settings, characters, and the atmosphere of what it feels like to be stifled with responsibilities that are nothing more than a practise of tradition and humdrum generational expectations. These combined with the subtly sharp cultural contrasts (wealthy American vs small-town Mexican and the gender roles of both) were elements that I couldn’t help but devour greedily.
The overarching plot of [b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] is somewhat clichéd and predictable, nevertheless, the lushness of the Latinx representation and cultural exploration makes a somewhat dull genre feel fresh and lively. Moreno-Garcia’s ability to season the monotonous with unexpected intrigue is positively superb.
Even with all of these excellent qualities, the best is Viridiana. She is part unreliable narrator, part heroine you want to root for, part naïve teenager, and all around fiercely resourceful woman down to the very marrow of her bones, one that I feel was bred more out of circumstance, excruciating boredom, and the toxic pressures of familial expectations. The complexities of her persona and the things she yearns for help to develop the narrative with further nuances of sensuous wickedness.
Overall, [b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] was a surprise I didn’t see coming. The story starts a bit slowly, but after the Americans show up things gradually begin to pick up speed, matching the waves of Viridiana’s emotions, which helped allay the uncertainty I first felt in that it may be too slow of a reading for me. It proved me wrong and then some. I don’t think I would recommend this novel to fans of thrillers, specifically folx who prefer the storytelling dynamics of authors like Karin Slaughter or Riley Sager, for example. Instead, I would highly recommend [b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] to readers of classic, noir whodunits and fans of vintage cinema, especially if you like culturally rich connotations and full-bodied character expositions.
4.25 shark teeth outta 5!
The novel is advertised as being a thriller, but I would argue that it’s far more a noir mystery than anything else. It doesn’t have the same sense of exhilaration and heart-pounding intensity that is common amongst thrillers. Instead, it’s far more methodical and transfixing in its execution. There is a spectacular vibrancy to the examination of small-town life and this almost desperate need to escape it, which when combined with the scorching undercurrents of mythology, contrasting cultures, and the unfiltered frustrations of being a young female in an intolerably conservative community, create an irresistibly wicked tale.
[b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] is as sparse as Baja California with a terse prose that also manages to offer an incredibly vivid depiction of the settings, characters, and the atmosphere of what it feels like to be stifled with responsibilities that are nothing more than a practise of tradition and humdrum generational expectations. These combined with the subtly sharp cultural contrasts (wealthy American vs small-town Mexican and the gender roles of both) were elements that I couldn’t help but devour greedily.
The overarching plot of [b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] is somewhat clichéd and predictable, nevertheless, the lushness of the Latinx representation and cultural exploration makes a somewhat dull genre feel fresh and lively. Moreno-Garcia’s ability to season the monotonous with unexpected intrigue is positively superb.
Even with all of these excellent qualities, the best is Viridiana. She is part unreliable narrator, part heroine you want to root for, part naïve teenager, and all around fiercely resourceful woman down to the very marrow of her bones, one that I feel was bred more out of circumstance, excruciating boredom, and the toxic pressures of familial expectations. The complexities of her persona and the things she yearns for help to develop the narrative with further nuances of sensuous wickedness.
Overall, [b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] was a surprise I didn’t see coming. The story starts a bit slowly, but after the Americans show up things gradually begin to pick up speed, matching the waves of Viridiana’s emotions, which helped allay the uncertainty I first felt in that it may be too slow of a reading for me. It proved me wrong and then some. I don’t think I would recommend this novel to fans of thrillers, specifically folx who prefer the storytelling dynamics of authors like Karin Slaughter or Riley Sager, for example. Instead, I would highly recommend [b:Untamed Shore|47947223|Untamed Shore|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566950334l/47947223._SY75_.jpg|73113075] to readers of classic, noir whodunits and fans of vintage cinema, especially if you like culturally rich connotations and full-bodied character expositions.
4.25 shark teeth outta 5!
Untamed shore takes place in Baja California following 18 year old viridiana as she questions what she wants in life and dealing with three mysterious strangers. Silvia Moreno- Garcia’s writing is simple but so elegant, I just love her descriptions of Baja California. The story starts slow but gradually grew more tense especially after that death happen. I enjoy our main character viridiana and loved her development throughout the story. It was nice seeing her go from native to learning how to use the skills she learn from the white family. I wished some of the side characters were fleshed out more but oh well. The commentary on class privilege was also well done,. Overall this book was amazing from the plot and setting to the main character, and I can’t wait to read more from this author
It is 1979 in Baja California, and our protagonist Viridiana spends her summer days watching shark hunters pile carcasses on the seashore, under the harsh, unrelenting heat. She’s bored, her mother constantly pesters her and there’s nothing much to do around where she lives. When three American tourists arrive in her town and request the services of a translator, Viridiana moves into their summer home to help out. She becomes entwined in their glamorous lives, and begins to care for them… so when one of them dies, Viridiana finds herself lying to protect her friends, but soon finds that that might not have been the best course of action.
This book is a fascinating, character-driven work that draws you in with its stifling, oppressive atmosphere. From the get-go, Garcia paints such a vivid picture of Viridiana’s life and her town, to the point that you feel as if you’re with her watching shark carcasses being piled onto the beach, pedaling bicycles across town and meeting glamorous foreigners for the very first time. Garcia’s ability to create and convey tone is so incredible, and I found myself turning the pages and progressing through the story with ease. But perhaps what this book does the best is character work, specifically in Viridiana. She has a clear, almost coming-of-age-like arc where she’s trying to discover herself, what she wants, is making mistakes and learning from them. After the book ends, you can pinpoint where Viridiana started and who she was before the main events of the book, and who she becomes after everything is said and done. Her arc was wonderful, and I had fun seeing her develop.
But at the same time, while the protagonist’s character was so brilliantly fleshed-out, the side characters fell flat. Because of that, I couldn’t connect with them, and didn’t particularly care about what was happening to said characters. Even though the plot was interesting, I kept reading to see what would happen with Viridiana more than anything else. However, I still enjoyed this noir thriller with its subtle commentary on privilege and class disparity.
Content warnings: Some portrayal of domestic abuse; sexual coercion; harassment
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a fascinating, character-driven work that draws you in with its stifling, oppressive atmosphere. From the get-go, Garcia paints such a vivid picture of Viridiana’s life and her town, to the point that you feel as if you’re with her watching shark carcasses being piled onto the beach, pedaling bicycles across town and meeting glamorous foreigners for the very first time. Garcia’s ability to create and convey tone is so incredible, and I found myself turning the pages and progressing through the story with ease. But perhaps what this book does the best is character work, specifically in Viridiana. She has a clear, almost coming-of-age-like arc where she’s trying to discover herself, what she wants, is making mistakes and learning from them. After the book ends, you can pinpoint where Viridiana started and who she was before the main events of the book, and who she becomes after everything is said and done. Her arc was wonderful, and I had fun seeing her develop.
But at the same time, while the protagonist’s character was so brilliantly fleshed-out, the side characters fell flat. Because of that, I couldn’t connect with them, and didn’t particularly care about what was happening to said characters. Even though the plot was interesting, I kept reading to see what would happen with Viridiana more than anything else. However, I still enjoyed this noir thriller with its subtle commentary on privilege and class disparity.
Content warnings: Some portrayal of domestic abuse; sexual coercion; harassment
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 Stars
TWs: Allusions to domestic abuse, instances of violence and graphic injury
This is a deeply suspenseful noir thriller that proves, once again, that Silvia Moreno-Garcia can master any genre she writes. In this case, it's Viridiana's naiveté and her desperation to break away from small town life that allows this story to keep twisting in on itself.
Viridiana's story is painfully familiar, in that she is accepted into the employ of an affluent group of Americans who expect her to forsake herself in order to be "good enough" to be associated with them. She's hired as a note-taker and personal assistant, but quickly gets shackled into doing things like running errands, cooking meals, or carrying things to and from the beach as if she were a servant. And ultimately, that's how everyone in this story sees her: meek and subserviant. She's manipulated, challenged, and short-changed at every turn.
But Viridiana doesn't fight the rising tide that is her life. She realizes that the only way to move forward is to follow the story her life is becoming, even if it's not the story she envisioned for herself. Even though she is surrounded by destructive people, she refuses to allow herself to be destroyed.
Ultimately, I think this story is about how many of us find ourselves at the mercy of those who don't respect or understand us, and how marginalized folks are expected to appeal to those same people and institutions that continually wrong us just to have a chance at survival. All of this and more is at stake in Untamed Shore, which continuously surprises and haunts the reader at every turn, and that's what kept me invested in this story.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia can do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned, and I definitely recommend this one along with any of her other incredibly unique stories.
TWs: Allusions to domestic abuse, instances of violence and graphic injury
By now, she ought to have lost all the childish innocence she'd possessed, but it had lasted and held true until this very moment. That is what pained her the most. Not the betrayal, but her steadfast devotion to her betrayers.
This is a deeply suspenseful noir thriller that proves, once again, that Silvia Moreno-Garcia can master any genre she writes. In this case, it's Viridiana's naiveté and her desperation to break away from small town life that allows this story to keep twisting in on itself.
Viridiana's story is painfully familiar, in that she is accepted into the employ of an affluent group of Americans who expect her to forsake herself in order to be "good enough" to be associated with them. She's hired as a note-taker and personal assistant, but quickly gets shackled into doing things like running errands, cooking meals, or carrying things to and from the beach as if she were a servant. And ultimately, that's how everyone in this story sees her: meek and subserviant. She's manipulated, challenged, and short-changed at every turn.
But Viridiana doesn't fight the rising tide that is her life. She realizes that the only way to move forward is to follow the story her life is becoming, even if it's not the story she envisioned for herself. Even though she is surrounded by destructive people, she refuses to allow herself to be destroyed.
Ultimately, I think this story is about how many of us find ourselves at the mercy of those who don't respect or understand us, and how marginalized folks are expected to appeal to those same people and institutions that continually wrong us just to have a chance at survival. All of this and more is at stake in Untamed Shore, which continuously surprises and haunts the reader at every turn, and that's what kept me invested in this story.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia can do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned, and I definitely recommend this one along with any of her other incredibly unique stories.
it started a little slower than some of smg's other things but damn that ending might just be my favorite
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The mystery and plot of this book comes together like the slow tangling of a knot and I loved it. I have little stomach for heart-pounding thrillers, and this wasn't that, even though I still couldn't manage to put it down for anything other than going to sleep at 1 a.m. Viridiana dreams of something more than her small and insular hometown, and is engulfed in the promise that the beautiful American tourists may be able to provide her. As you may expect, these tourists suck as humans, and things go rapidly downhill as she tries to figure out how to hold on to her first dreams of escape. I love Viridiana, her character goes down such delightful pathways. Moreno-Garcia is a master, and I am amazed that this is just her first thriller. It's so good!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
NOTE: i listened to the audiobook.
this was so damn good. it's very slow, but not dull, and when it picks up it does it SO WELL. it's twisty, atmospheric, and viridiana is what every other thriller protagonist wants to be.
this was so damn good. it's very slow, but not dull, and when it picks up it does it SO WELL. it's twisty, atmospheric, and viridiana is what every other thriller protagonist wants to be.