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knkoch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a rather resonant portrait of womanhood and immigration, set in a coming-of-age format. There were some very lovely and emotional parts, as well as great hardship, pain, and fear. I learned in the acknowledgements that this is loosely based on the author's mother and her story of immigrating to New York, with detail from other Dominican folks the author interviewed, as well.
The story was well told and realistic. All the characters were well realized and carried through the entire novel, giving me a great window into a life I have not lived. I especially felt grounded in the sense of place (the farm, the apartment, the neighborhood, and all the small commercial areas nearby) and sense of food. Ana spends a great deal of time in one place, and I could really feel the sort of hyperattention to detail that comes from great observation of one's surroundings. Especially after some time spent in quarantine this year, I relate to that. The sensory experience of food was also rich. I felt I could taste all these dishes I'd never heard of before.
Be mindful of my content warnings, however.
The story was well told and realistic. All the characters were well realized and carried through the entire novel, giving me a great window into a life I have not lived. I especially felt grounded in the sense of place (the farm, the apartment, the neighborhood, and all the small commercial areas nearby) and sense of food. Ana spends a great deal of time in one place, and I could really feel the sort of hyperattention to detail that comes from great observation of one's surroundings. Especially after some time spent in quarantine this year, I relate to that. The sensory experience of food was also rich. I felt I could taste all these dishes I'd never heard of before.
Be mindful of my content warnings, however.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
The domestic abuse features heavily, so be careful there.cheyne's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Medical trauma
kimmulholland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Rape, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
charlotte03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Police brutality
pastelwriter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I did it! I managed to finish this before the year ended! I feel so powerful 🔥
Anyway. I thought this was a solid book. It was well written and had characters that grew as the story progressed.
Nevertheless, this wasn’t really my cup of tea. When I started this book I was sure I would love it, but I just didn’t. I understand why the book has been heavily promoted and has gotten high praise, but it just wasn’t for me.
Still. I recognize the problem is me and not the book, so that’s why I still rated it 4 stars. I would recommend picking it up if it sounds interesting to you.
Anyway. I thought this was a solid book. It was well written and had characters that grew as the story progressed.
Nevertheless, this wasn’t really my cup of tea. When I started this book I was sure I would love it, but I just didn’t. I understand why the book has been heavily promoted and has gotten high praise, but it just wasn’t for me.
Still. I recognize the problem is me and not the book, so that’s why I still rated it 4 stars. I would recommend picking it up if it sounds interesting to you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
aquakerwitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
iygatac_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I listened to this on audiobook.
This is an immigrant story. Ana is a 15 year old girl from the Dominican Republic who feels she has no choice but to marry a much older man, Juan, in order to help her family. There are hopes of Ana going to school, of Ana making money, of Ana's marriage to lead to bringing the rest of her family over to New York where Juan and Ana move after they are married. However, from the outset, it's obvious things are going to go wrong - Juan has been pursuing Ana since she was 11 and she is still a child when they get married. Once they're married, even more goes wrong - abuse, feeling alone in New York, not knowing English, not being able to have her own job or go to school, feeling betrayed. I don't know if I can call the end satisfying, but it was hopeful, for Ana and her family.
I listened to it on audiobook and it included an interview with the author at the end. Angie Cruz said that she asked her mother what is one thing that she could never imagine and her mother answered that she doesn't think she will ever fall in love. Which is heartbreaking and is also something that is at the heart of this story.
This is an immigrant story. Ana is a 15 year old girl from the Dominican Republic who feels she has no choice but to marry a much older man, Juan, in order to help her family. There are hopes of Ana going to school, of Ana making money, of Ana's marriage to lead to bringing the rest of her family over to New York where Juan and Ana move after they are married. However, from the outset, it's obvious things are going to go wrong - Juan has been pursuing Ana since she was 11 and she is still a child when they get married. Once they're married, even more goes wrong - abuse, feeling alone in New York, not knowing English, not being able to have her own job or go to school, feeling betrayed. I don't know if I can call the end satisfying, but it was hopeful, for Ana and her family.
I listened to it on audiobook and it included an interview with the author at the end. Angie Cruz said that she asked her mother what is one thing that she could never imagine and her mother answered that she doesn't think she will ever fall in love. Which is heartbreaking and is also something that is at the heart of this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Rape
Marital rape - In addition, Ana is only 15, her husband is much older.bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, and Medical trauma
georgiawye's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I thought this was well-written and easy to read in terms of not getting bogged down in heavy prose. I’m conscious of the fact that this story is based in truth and real history, both of the author’s mother but also of so many other women, however I found it to be largely without hope and therefore not the most enjoyable to read. I understand that this is reality, but as a novel I found it somewhat unsatisfying, perhaps a epilogue or some further reflection of would have made for a more conclusive feel at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Blood
scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fifteen year old Ana Canción is proposed to by Juan Ruiz, promising her he will take her to New York City. He’s twice her age and there is no love between them, but for the sake of her family’s future, she must say yes. This is the opportunity for her family to finally emigrate to the United States. In 1965, Ana leaves everything behind to begin her new life in an apartment building in Washington Heights. As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan must return to save the family assets. Now, Ana is finally free to learn English and earn money of her own. But when Juan returns, she must choose between her heart and her head.
I’ve got to admit I expected a bit more from a book shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. I found the first half of the book difficult to get through due to the slow pace. But the second half of the book captured me, and I finally started to enjoy it; by the end, I was really invested in Ana’s storyline. I did also learn a lot about the history of the Dominican Republic and their relationship between the USA.
I’m still glad I read this as part of the #londonbookfriends book club pick for September, in honour of #latinxheritagemonth, and pushed me out of my reading comfort zone
I’ve got to admit I expected a bit more from a book shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. I found the first half of the book difficult to get through due to the slow pace. But the second half of the book captured me, and I finally started to enjoy it; by the end, I was really invested in Ana’s storyline. I did also learn a lot about the history of the Dominican Republic and their relationship between the USA.
I’m still glad I read this as part of the #londonbookfriends book club pick for September, in honour of #latinxheritagemonth, and pushed me out of my reading comfort zone
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, and Toxic relationship
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