Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Cantoras

What a fantastic story of women loving women in Uruguay. I learned a lot of history. I felt seen. I really love that this story exists in the world. I had a hard time following so many characters but I still definitely loved it. I think anyone who’s ever loved a woman needs to read this book!

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sophiafarias's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Beautiful, intriguing, breathtaking! I loved every moment I got to spend with these women. I loved getting absorbed in their lives and experiences with one another, through love unto freedom!

This book gave me a sense of hope and relief that something so beautiful has been written and made available by my local librarv. I have always been an activist at heart and in reading this book, I felt like a lifetime could come with greater reward than I had imagined.

This is a tale of triumph over tribulations and bravery. This is a book that needs to be on my bookshelf!

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mmccombs's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Phenomenal writing complimenting a compelling story, an unexpected gem of a novel! The characters were wonderful and I really enjoyed the strong sense of place throughout the novel. I think my only complaint was how Malena’s character/story was handled, I understand why we didn’t get her POV until the end of the book, but I just don’t think that did her character or the larger story justice. Beyond that, this was probably one of the best works of historical fiction I’ve read!

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horizonous's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

I would love to write an eloquent review for this book but I can't even find a beginning.

It's heartbreaking, hopeful and beautiful with characters and found family dynamics that will stay with me for a while. The writing, especially the descriptions of the ocean, are also very impactful.

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patroclusbro's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

"They were happy. There were not used to being happy. The strange feeling kept them up too late together, giddy with victory and amazement. They had done it. They were out. They had shed the city like a hazardous garment and come to the edge of the world."

I have always been wanting to learn more about queer elders, but in recent years I think there has been a tendency to write those stories for teen audiences rather than adults. Not really my tea any more!

If you feel similar, you have to check out this book: De Robertis writes about the struggles and dreams of a group of Cantoras - women loving women - in 1970s and 1980s Uruguay. Craving for some breath outside of Montevideo, where the dictatorship closes in around them bit by bit, the five of them take a short trip to the coast. Away from curious eyes, new hope and lust - and companionship! - sparks. Over the years, they come back time and time again, growing older, growing closer, growing apart, making up, resisting, dreaming, loving.

There is a richness to the characters and landscape that I loved! It was so easy to stumble into this world and open my heart for these women. The contrasts between the city and Cabo Polonio flow freely, there is a gentle but irresistible pull to the story. I also learned a lot about Uruguay, its people and political dynamics.

My main point of criticism: I wished that this book could have been longer! I wanted to spend more time with the characters. Rather than being told what happened to them during the time jumps, I wanted to see it first-hand. I would have read 500 pages of this, at least.

I also want to set a BIG trigger warning for suicide, told from the close, stay safe!

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istmiajuppe's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-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? N/A

4.75

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linguaphile412's review

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.0

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