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anaclaracp's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
I've come to realize, during my reading life, why I don't cry when I'm reading. It's very rare that a book will even make my eyes watery, and that's because I like happy things. It sounds obvious, but it took me a while to get there.
I don't watch movies about wars because I know they'll be sad. I don't watch sport movies because I know they'll be sad. I try not to watch movies based on real events because, again, they'll be sad. Of sad and tragic I have real life. Non-fiction books, documentaries. My fiction, I'll have it happy, please.
And because of that, because reading is escaping, and because I like my books to be mostly happy, when something sad happens, I'm just angry. "Why is the author doing this?", "was this even necessary?" and "this is just the author fishing for a way to make the reader cry". Those are my reactions. It takes me out of the narrative. Anger, not sadness. I have to really be in the mood to read something sad, and I rarely ever am. Sure, it happens sometimes, but even then I want something happy to happen.
When I picked this up I had no idea what it was about. I wanted it to be a surprise, like Ari and Dante was, and what a beautiful surprise, it became one of my favorite books. But with this one I felt kinda cheated. Of course that's my own fault for not doing my research, but I wasn't looking for a story like this, I didn't want to read it. For the entire last half I was considering giving it two stars. The only reason I didn't is because it's not a bad story, not at all. I just didn't want to read it. I kept hoping it would get happier and that was what kept me reading. That and the writing, of course, which is beautiful.
A lot of people will love this, it has tons of high ratings, so of course I would recommend it. But it wasn't for me, not in the mindset I'm currently in.
I've come to realize, during my reading life, why I don't cry when I'm reading. It's very rare that a book will even make my eyes watery, and that's because I like happy things. It sounds obvious, but it took me a while to get there.
I don't watch movies about wars because I know they'll be sad. I don't watch sport movies because I know they'll be sad. I try not to watch movies based on real events because, again, they'll be sad. Of sad and tragic I have real life. Non-fiction books, documentaries. My fiction, I'll have it happy, please.
And because of that, because reading is escaping, and because I like my books to be mostly happy, when something sad happens, I'm just angry. "Why is the author doing this?", "was this even necessary?" and "this is just the author fishing for a way to make the reader cry". Those are my reactions. It takes me out of the narrative. Anger, not sadness. I have to really be in the mood to read something sad, and I rarely ever am. Sure, it happens sometimes, but even then I want something happy to happen.
When I picked this up I had no idea what it was about. I wanted it to be a surprise, like Ari and Dante was, and what a beautiful surprise, it became one of my favorite books. But with this one I felt kinda cheated. Of course that's my own fault for not doing my research, but I wasn't looking for a story like this, I didn't want to read it. For the entire last half I was considering giving it two stars. The only reason I didn't is because it's not a bad story, not at all. I just didn't want to read it. I kept hoping it would get happier and that was what kept me reading. That and the writing, of course, which is beautiful.
A lot of people will love this, it has tons of high ratings, so of course I would recommend it. But it wasn't for me, not in the mindset I'm currently in.
bookish_terror's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
This was my third novel by Saenz, and though I've never read any of his poetry, some blocks of text felt like I was reading a poem. And that's definitely not a bad thing. There's no flowery descriptions but words are repeated and even the amount of syllables in a sentence feel planned out. This writing style effortlessly flows together.
The content of this book, though, was very difficult to read.
There are a few characters the book follows around but it mainly center around Andres Segovia. Things started to go bad for Andres with his parents' death when he was only ten years old. And it didn't get better from there. We learn Andres' story as he tells it to his therapist Grace and his lawyer Dave. Andres definitely reminds me of Ari from AADDTSOTU and of Sal from TILOML, but so much harder. What I love about Saenz is that he writes protagonists with this quiet but strong, simmering anger. And when bottled up, that anger will eventually explode.
There's plenty of heartbreak to go around with the other characters as well.
Grace and Dave will simply not give up on Andres, and they each have their own motivations for that. Grace is widowed, receives a new medical diagnosis, and has a strained relationship with her son that I felt contributed to how much she wanted to help Andres. For most of the book, it seems like Dave wants to help Andres just for the sake of helping him but we later learn that there is a secret Dave has been keeping that makes him feel almost compelled to help Andres.
The book also follows Mister, Grace's son, who is trying to adopt a blind boy with his wife Liz. The death of his father, Sam, definitely left Mister and Grace a little bit lost, and I think that contributed to how they dealt with any problems that came after Sam's death. Grace also does not like Liz and the reason for that is discussed in the book. This is another thing about Saenz I love. The relationships between characters, good or bad, feel authentic because it's not just one thing that affects how they react to each other. It's multiple things - that's real.
An honorable mention - Sylvia. I loved Sylvia. She's trans and I didn't know there would be trans characters in this but I was pleasantly surprised. She's a friend of Andres and the only person who genuinely cared for him in Juarez. The word transv*st*t* is used to describe her instead of transgender but I definitely got the impression that had more to do with the environment these characters lived in and not how Saenz actually feels about trans people. And there is a moment where Grace misgender's Sylvia and Andres corrects her and she listens, so that's good.
I loved this book but I don't know if I have the stomach for a reread. If this book sounds interesting to you, tread cautiously.
TW: rape, child sexual abuse, prostitution, drug abuse, terminal illness, past infidelity
This was my third novel by Saenz, and though I've never read any of his poetry, some blocks of text felt like I was reading a poem. And that's definitely not a bad thing. There's no flowery descriptions but words are repeated and even the amount of syllables in a sentence feel planned out. This writing style effortlessly flows together.
The content of this book, though, was very difficult to read.
There are a few characters the book follows around but it mainly center around Andres Segovia. Things started to go bad for Andres with his parents' death when he was only ten years old. And it didn't get better from there. We learn Andres' story as he tells it to his therapist Grace and his lawyer Dave. Andres definitely reminds me of Ari from AADDTSOTU and of Sal from TILOML, but so much harder. What I love about Saenz is that he writes protagonists with this quiet but strong, simmering anger. And when bottled up, that anger will eventually explode.
There's plenty of heartbreak to go around with the other characters as well.
Grace and Dave will simply not give up on Andres, and they each have their own motivations for that. Grace is widowed, receives a new medical diagnosis, and has a strained relationship with her son that I felt contributed to how much she wanted to help Andres. For most of the book, it seems like Dave wants to help Andres just for the sake of helping him but we later learn that there is a secret Dave has been keeping that makes him feel almost compelled to help Andres.
The book also follows Mister, Grace's son, who is trying to adopt a blind boy with his wife Liz. The death of his father, Sam, definitely left Mister and Grace a little bit lost, and I think that contributed to how they dealt with any problems that came after Sam's death. Grace also does not like Liz and the reason for that is discussed in the book. This is another thing about Saenz I love. The relationships between characters, good or bad, feel authentic because it's not just one thing that affects how they react to each other. It's multiple things - that's real.
An honorable mention - Sylvia. I loved Sylvia. She's trans and I didn't know there would be trans characters in this but I was pleasantly surprised. She's a friend of Andres and the only person who genuinely cared for him in Juarez. The word transv*st*t* is used to describe her instead of transgender but I definitely got the impression that had more to do with the environment these characters lived in and not how Saenz actually feels about trans people. And there is a moment where Grace misgender's Sylvia and Andres corrects her and she listens, so that's good.
I loved this book but I don't know if I have the stomach for a reread. If this book sounds interesting to you, tread cautiously.
TW: rape, child sexual abuse, prostitution, drug abuse, terminal illness, past infidelity
ainsley_b2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
ofionao's review against another edition
5.0
Uhm.
So.
THIS BOOK DESTROYED ME.
I really don't quite know how to articulate what beautiful a story this is.
It's been a long time since a book has had such an emotional impact on me. So I thought I'd at least try to type some words about this wonderful, wonderful book.
"In Perfect Light" tells the story of Andrés Segovia, a young man burdened by the memories of his past, trapped inbetween remembering and forgetting, and Grace Delgado, a therapist, who has lost a husband, is struggling to love a son and is confronted by another death, this time her own. And you will find in this book the story of how Grace and André's lifes intertwine in the best possible ways.
It is also, for me at least, very much a story about hope, about moving towards the light (or, to use a Sam word, being phototactic).
IT'S SO DAMNED GOOD.
How can a book show the worst of humanity (I mean feature the absolute worst !!! scumbags !!! walking !! this earth!!) and yet also manage to show how much light this world holds?
The characters of André Segovia and Grace Delgado have robbed a piece of my heart and I doubt that'll change anytime soon.
And one last thing, just because it needs to be said. Andrés Segovia: you have a beautiful heart.
*****5 stars, but really, all the stars in the universe*****
[Sam talking to Grace about baby Mister]
"He likes to laugh. He doesn't fight me, Grace. He just, well, he just sort of leans into me. He's photo tactic."
"Photo tactic? Is that a Sam word?" It had to be a Sam word. He loved photo words.
"Of course it is. He's like a sunflower, Grace. He leans into me as if I were the source of all light."
✨For years I dreamed your eyes as black as night
I long to see your face in perfect light.✨
So.
THIS BOOK DESTROYED ME.
I really don't quite know how to articulate what beautiful a story this is.
It's been a long time since a book has had such an emotional impact on me. So I thought I'd at least try to type some words about this wonderful, wonderful book.
"In Perfect Light" tells the story of Andrés Segovia, a young man burdened by the memories of his past, trapped inbetween remembering and forgetting, and Grace Delgado, a therapist, who has lost a husband, is struggling to love a son and is confronted by another death, this time her own. And you will find in this book the story of how Grace and André's lifes intertwine in the best possible ways.
It is also, for me at least, very much a story about hope, about moving towards the light (or, to use a Sam word, being phototactic).
IT'S SO DAMNED GOOD.
How can a book show the worst of humanity (I mean feature the absolute worst !!! scumbags !!! walking !! this earth!!) and yet also manage to show how much light this world holds?
The characters of André Segovia and Grace Delgado have robbed a piece of my heart and I doubt that'll change anytime soon.
And one last thing, just because it needs to be said. Andrés Segovia: you have a beautiful heart.
*****5 stars, but really, all the stars in the universe*****
[Sam talking to Grace about baby Mister]
"He likes to laugh. He doesn't fight me, Grace. He just, well, he just sort of leans into me. He's photo tactic."
"Photo tactic? Is that a Sam word?" It had to be a Sam word. He loved photo words.
"Of course it is. He's like a sunflower, Grace. He leans into me as if I were the source of all light."
✨For years I dreamed your eyes as black as night
I long to see your face in perfect light.✨
gracews_library's review against another edition
5.0
Is it really a Benjamin Alire Sáenz book if it doesn't break your heart then piece it back together?
Heartbreaking.
Beautiful.
Heartbreaking.
Beautiful.
an_aesthetic's review against another edition
5.0
This book killed me--it's all at once heartbreaking, mesmerizing, dark, and beautiful.
The characters feel so raw and real, which makes the events that take place all the more devastating. A lot of heavy, disturbing topics are explored and the fact that these events are a reality for some people is distressing. We follow multiple threads of the story, jumping around from past to present and different character point of views. It's told in bits and pieces and amazingly crafted. The writing is understated but poetic, adding another vital layer to the story.
This is one of those books that wreck you, but in the best way possible. I think I won't be able to forget these characters for a very long time.
The characters feel so raw and real, which makes the events that take place all the more devastating. A lot of heavy, disturbing topics are explored and the fact that these events are a reality for some people is distressing. We follow multiple threads of the story, jumping around from past to present and different character point of views. It's told in bits and pieces and amazingly crafted. The writing is understated but poetic, adding another vital layer to the story.
This is one of those books that wreck you, but in the best way possible. I think I won't be able to forget these characters for a very long time.
mynameismarines's review
5.0
I talked about this book in my Hispanic Heritage Reads wrap-up video.
I stayed up past my bedtime to read the last 50% of this book and I'm pretty sure there were tears for most of that time. This was not an easy book to read for me and part of the reason I just sat down and finished it off was because prolonging it was making me "dread" the reading experience. I kept thinking, "oh no! Sad things are going to happen!" I know, weird. And still I gave it five stars because this is a beautifully written story.
There are multiple threads here but the story centers around Andres Segovia, a man struggling so much with his rage that he lashes out twice in the beginning chapters of the story. The story tells us in bits and pieces why Andy carries around that rage and and what has happened in his life, starting with the death of both his parents when he was just 10 years old. It never got easier for Andres from that moment. Never got easier than being orphaned. We hear the bits of his story as he relives them or tells them to his lawyer Dave (who we learn is more connected to Andres than we realize at first) and his therapist Grace (who is a widow and dealing with a new diagnosis). We also meet Grace's son, Mister, who is trying to adopt a little boy who happens to be blind.
I don't know if I've mentioned yet but it's a devastating story. The prose, though, was fluid and effortless and lyrical, but in an understated way. It isn't that Alire Saenz is particularly flowery, but just that his words seem like they all fit perfectly. His words flow and speak so much truth into this devastating story. Anything more sensational or less thoughtful or less grounded in human experiences would've come off as tragedy porn. This was devastating (have I said that yet?) because it was too real.
I love, love the way the prose was set-up. We followed around the four characters and got their points of view, but every once in a while, there was this piece of omniscient text that placed everyone within a stretch of time. Something like, as Andy left the bar, Grace was with her Doctor and Mister was kissing his wife and Dave was in the courtroom. It just gave you such a sense of the whole story with all of its moving parts. It was a lovely way to tie everything together and anchor it down in specific times.
This book definitely explores some difficult topics including sexual assault, child molestation, child abuse, terminal illness and drug abuse. I would proceed with caution if need be.
hannx00's review
4.0
This book is so difficult yet exquisite at the same time. It surrounds topics such as sexual abuse, pedophilia, and rape, but BAS managed to build such beautiful stories around these characters. While the writing is very poetic and romantic, there is still loneliness and sorrow underneath every word of the story. If I have not read three books from BAS, this one would definitely a five-star read. The repetitive plot and characters start getting bored to me over time.
taytayf's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the tragedy because sadness consumes us all.