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hadsbaker's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mrpitmansgranddaughter's review against another edition
4.0
The American dream, tale as old as time. Many millions across the world dream of making a better life for themselves in America. Let it Rain Coffee explores the reality of the American dream for a family from the Dominican Republic. This emotional read paints a realistic picture of the struggle that is the American dream, while also delving into family dynamics, grief and culture.
Cruz writing is perfect for this book, written in third person, she has ensured that each character stands alone with insight into their inner thoughts, never compromising on the depth required to build the readers connection. The splattering of Spanish in the writing brings the book even more to life and mirrors the Spanglish language that has become part of so many American lives. A base knowledge of Spanish might be helpful here but it certainly isn’t required and we could all use a little more Spanish Sass in our lives anyway (looking at you ‘no me digas’).
The final star really can be put down to my own ignorance, but I feel that having known very little about Dominican history I felt I needed a little more context at points. Not enough that I felt totally lost but it certainly would have helped a little with the flow during some of the flashback chapters.
Finally a nod to the ending, I am fussy about endings, but finally finally I have found an ending to a book that is seamless, careful, plenty unsaid and just right.
If you loved In The Heights (watching that gave me the final push I needed to pick this up off my shelf) I highly recommend this, this feels like the cousin with more grit and depth. But with plenty of merengue for good measure.
Cruz writing is perfect for this book, written in third person, she has ensured that each character stands alone with insight into their inner thoughts, never compromising on the depth required to build the readers connection. The splattering of Spanish in the writing brings the book even more to life and mirrors the Spanglish language that has become part of so many American lives. A base knowledge of Spanish might be helpful here but it certainly isn’t required and we could all use a little more Spanish Sass in our lives anyway (looking at you ‘no me digas’).
The final star really can be put down to my own ignorance, but I feel that having known very little about Dominican history I felt I needed a little more context at points. Not enough that I felt totally lost but it certainly would have helped a little with the flow during some of the flashback chapters.
Finally a nod to the ending, I am fussy about endings, but finally finally I have found an ending to a book that is seamless, careful, plenty unsaid and just right.
If you loved In The Heights (watching that gave me the final push I needed to pick this up off my shelf) I highly recommend this, this feels like the cousin with more grit and depth. But with plenty of merengue for good measure.
megborree's review against another edition
Same reader as Carrie Soto is back. Couldn’t focus.
elinorswing's review
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.75
rachelhelps's review against another edition
3.0
I can't decide if I liked this book or not. I learned a lot about the Dominican Republic during the 1960s. I didn't really like any of the characters, except for maybe the old grandfather. They all seemed kind of stupid or angry or pathetic. Maybe that's more realistic - not everyone is smart and brave and admirable.
laurenexploresbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Let it rain coffee is such a powerful and painful read because the story highlights so many of the struggles that ensue in the conflict between dreams and reality for the Colon family, and the experiences they have leaving the Dominican Republic for New York. Something I found to be thoughtful and engaging was how the narrative dives into the memories of Don Chan. His memories highlight how time can stop feeling linear and how the past shapes the future, particularly as his memories merge with the present.
murphyjc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amyvl93's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed Angie Cruz's Dominicana when it was nominated for the Women's Prize, so I was excited to come across another one of her books in an independent book store I was browsing a few months ago.
Let in Rain Coffee is her second novel, and follows Esperanza whose desire for the American Dream (as displayed on the TV show Dallas) propels her, her husband Santo and their children to New York where there's never enough money. The family is placed under greater strain when Santo's father Don Chan arrives to live with them after the death of his wife; beginning a push and pull between the US and the Dominican Republic.
I really enjoyed this. The whole Colon family are painted in all their shades of complexity; Esperanza who care for her family but fritters money on fancy things, Santo who is unable to stand up to his father, Bobby & Dallas the two children (named again...for the TV show) who have to adjust to growing up in their complicated neighbourhood and Don Chan, orphan-turned-revolutionary left with his memories in his old age. The only character I felt was slightly underdeveloped was Mirabel, she's important to the novel for many reasons, and her presence has a hint of magical realism about it but I didn't feel close enough to understand her motivations (view spoiler).
Every place also feels vividly drawn; every scene that Cruz described I felt I could see as I was reading. I also felt that the amount of issues she tackles her; from Dominican history, what the 'right' way of responding to government is to debt and low-income working, to young pregnancy and crime; didn't feel excessive or eye-roll inducing. Instead, it felt entirely possible that these issues could touch and circle the family.
I think I may have found a new favourite author in Cruz and I'm excited to read her other two novels.
Let in Rain Coffee is her second novel, and follows Esperanza whose desire for the American Dream (as displayed on the TV show Dallas) propels her, her husband Santo and their children to New York where there's never enough money. The family is placed under greater strain when Santo's father Don Chan arrives to live with them after the death of his wife; beginning a push and pull between the US and the Dominican Republic.
I really enjoyed this. The whole Colon family are painted in all their shades of complexity; Esperanza who care for her family but fritters money on fancy things, Santo who is unable to stand up to his father, Bobby & Dallas the two children (named again...for the TV show) who have to adjust to growing up in their complicated neighbourhood and Don Chan, orphan-turned-revolutionary left with his memories in his old age. The only character I felt was slightly underdeveloped was Mirabel, she's important to the novel for many reasons, and her presence has a hint of magical realism about it but I didn't feel close enough to understand her motivations (view spoiler).
Every place also feels vividly drawn; every scene that Cruz described I felt I could see as I was reading. I also felt that the amount of issues she tackles her; from Dominican history, what the 'right' way of responding to government is to debt and low-income working, to young pregnancy and crime; didn't feel excessive or eye-roll inducing. Instead, it felt entirely possible that these issues could touch and circle the family.
I think I may have found a new favourite author in Cruz and I'm excited to read her other two novels.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death, Dementia, Murder, War, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Grief and Gun violence