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leslielu67's review against another edition
5.0
Big multu-generational saga that takes place over many decades, two countries, but only one long weekend. Big Angel (patriarch of the family) is dying of cancer at 70, but his family throws a big birthday party for him on the same weekend that his mother is buried. As family and friends wash through the house, so do memories, grievances, reconciliation, revelations. Little Angel, Big's half-brother, comes down from Seattle for the festivities. The author reads his own book in the audible, and his cadence and accents are just delicious. [97th completed book of the year!]
kaymarieplz's review against another edition
2.0
I put this book down for a long time because I couldn't get into it, and honestly I never did. Too many characters and quick narrative changes it was hard to keep track. I'd be easier to get if it was a movie maybe?
slnewman89's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping to enjoy this book a lot more than I did. In part, I was reading several books at the time, so I struggled to really get into this one, which may have been part of the problem. There were also a lot of characters and it was hard to keep track of all of them, what with nicknames and all as well. I read the eBook, and at the very end, there was *sort of* a family tree drawn, which would have been really helpful to have noticed earlier. I enjoyed the richness of the references to Mexican culture.
arielamandah's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a slow burn. It took me a long time to connect with it. The story was pieced together: anecdotes, histories, and characters dropped in here and there when you think you’re paying attention to something else. Honestly, it didn’t really gel for me until the very, very end - and even so, I’m not sure all the character threads came together as they were intended to for me. But... those final scenes... such payoff! A friend of mine commented that this would be a book where a re-read would be very rewarding. Completely agree.
Urrea “gets” big families. The unique dynamics, the history that plays out over generations, the in-laws and the outlaws, that fierce, strange obligatory love. He so perfectly represents the way we tell stories about ourselves TO ourselves of who we are and the role we play in these families - and how we can be both so right and so wrong! I’m reminded of my Grandpa’s final days and his funeral. Beautiful, tough, and not quite what anyone thought it would be.
So glad I read it and stuck with it; I suspect it will return the favor by sticking with me for a long time to come.
Urrea “gets” big families. The unique dynamics, the history that plays out over generations, the in-laws and the outlaws, that fierce, strange obligatory love. He so perfectly represents the way we tell stories about ourselves TO ourselves of who we are and the role we play in these families - and how we can be both so right and so wrong! I’m reminded of my Grandpa’s final days and his funeral. Beautiful, tough, and not quite what anyone thought it would be.
So glad I read it and stuck with it; I suspect it will return the favor by sticking with me for a long time to come.
cmorrisclark's review against another edition
5.0
It took me about 50 pages to get into this book, but after that, I was hooked. Urrea composes an absolutely splendid Mexican-American family novel. The characters are multi-dimensional, compelling, and deeply engaging. The stories are full of grit, sorrow, joy and life.
hecman111's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Another instance where it feels great to read characters you know and have seen in your own history. There is so much familiarity in Angels — the food, the drink, the love, the family — that it almost feels autobiographical yet there’s still enough “craziness” (<— is that the right word?) to keep you at a safe distance. The parrot story alone is worth it, but the rest is just as entertaining in its own way.
whtbout2ndbrkfst's review against another edition
1.0
I just couldn’t get into this book, no matter how much I wanted to. Although it has some amazing moments and some wonderful written imagery, overall the story fell flat for me.
dontpanic42's review against another edition
5.0
This was beautiful. The story of Big Angel, the family patriarch, as he approaches death, this book deals with all of the messiness of a big family. The story snakes through images of the family members over a couple of days as we witness moments of love, revenge, regret, redemption, forgiveness—really all of the things that make a life. It’s provides touching moments of Big Angel looking back on his own life. The whole thing strikes a perfect balance emotionally. It’s not sentimental. It’s real. It’s got sad moments and hilarious moments and really I can’t describe it adequately. Just read it.
One of things that most connected for me had to do with the search for identity, something that has been a theme in my own life. The family in the story immigrated to the US from Mexico, and there is a recurring question of what it means to be Mexican enough. Or how the mixed-race half-brother fits in. Or whether speaking Spanish is part of authenticity. I think this is first and foremost a story of a family, but the theme of identity and where everybody fits pops up repeatedly.
One last thing: if you’re squeamish about cousins or in-laws constantly lusting after one another, this book is not for you. Is this what other people’s family reunions are like?
One of things that most connected for me had to do with the search for identity, something that has been a theme in my own life. The family in the story immigrated to the US from Mexico, and there is a recurring question of what it means to be Mexican enough. Or how the mixed-race half-brother fits in. Or whether speaking Spanish is part of authenticity. I think this is first and foremost a story of a family, but the theme of identity and where everybody fits pops up repeatedly.
One last thing: if you’re squeamish about cousins or in-laws constantly lusting after one another, this book is not for you. Is this what other people’s family reunions are like?
carlybarly6's review against another edition
5.0
Luis Urrea’s writing is beautiful and poignant. Pure storytelling, intimate stream of consciousness, poetic musings — it’s all, even the nonsensical banter, deeply moving. Deeply human. Though there are a plethora of characters, with the novel being a Mexican family saga, each drew from me tenderness, amusement, and a deep affection. Centered around the patriarch’s (Big Angel) last birthday party before the cancer kills him, the constant drop-in of family members reads like a wistful and rambunctiousness reunion and final goodbye. I love the De La Cruz familia — as individuals and definitely in their dialogue and life together. And though cut from the same cloth, Urrea honors the very different struggles and joys of every family member. From teenager to already gone, there is sincere validation for the unique and real burdens that each carries. This book is packed with wisdom in every character’s vulnerably honest introspection and is definitely one for re-reading. If for no other reason than the gift of holding this as a beautiful love letter to Mexican families — to those who came before and those who are here now living a vibrant life of love and perseverance.
simoneandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The novel was bookended with a death and another death. The first death was Mama America, Big Angel's mother where the family gathers in San Diego to mourn. The second death is Big Angel's own death. However, his death isn't a significant part of this book. The most significant part of this book is Big Angel's birthday party, which happened the day after Mama America's funeral.
I really liked this novel. I didn't think I would at first because novels about the grip of life and what it all means tend to force anxiety on me. But even in the short conversations about death and the meaning of life, there was a sense that this was not about it.
I think it has to do with the fact that it was centered around a huge family gathering with Big Angel thinking about his life and what he's accomplished. The story followed all of Big Angel's family members in three generations. You read the bustling setting of a family gathering while each character has their own mini-story contributed to the dynamic of the family. If you've ever read This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper, then you'll definitely get those vibes from this book.
Each family member had a different trait and like many families, they represent one or another diverse issue. There were the women that did everything for their husbands and made sure to take care of the entire family. There were the male characters who dabbled in drugs and gang violence. There was even a character who was only half-Mexican and you get to hear the kind of discrimination he comes across not only from his peers but from his family. There's a little something for everyone here.
I don't know, I feel like I saw a lot of my grandfather in Big Angel. My grandfather was definitely my family's patriarch. When my mom and her sisters would argue, he'd be the one mediating the arguments and keeping everyone calm. He was the silent force behind my family and ever since he passed, things have been so different.
Reading about Big Angel's final birthday was like remember my grandfather at one of our last big family gatherings. For some reason, my family is so interconnected. My best friends are my sister and my cousins. My family meet on random Sundays after church just to get lunch and be with each other. We are each other's rocks and we're always chatting with each other. Only a few people dared to even leave the Tri-State area and their loss has been so hard on my grandmother.
Similarly to Big Angel, my grandfather ran a coffee shop, a deli, a donut shop, and so many other small businesses to help his family stay afloat. It was exactly how Big Angel started out while he was learning computer science. He had jobs here and there, but this wasn't the end all. He wanted more and he craved more and just like my grandfather, he got more. When my grandparents got married, they didn't even exchange rings and when my grandfather could finally afford it, he bought my grandmother the most extravagant gifts. For example, my grandmother threw away a vintage Chanel quilted purse because it was too old. We still chastise her for throwing away something most women covet.
Also, I love Big Angel because of his push to be more than just an illegal immigrant from Mexico. I always tell myself that someone will hire me for a job because of my skillset and not because I match some quota. Big Angel did exactly that not only defying the stereotypes behind Mexican workers, but also assuring me and many other first and second generation Americans that with hard work you can still achieve your dreams.
He was such a proud character and you can tell that by the way he prides in his house. The descriptions weren't the best and the house wasn't in the nicest neighborhood, but Big Angel was proud to say he owned a house on American soil. I mean, that has got to be the American Dream right there.
Sadly the really confusing part was all the folks and even sometimes the writing style. Overall, I loved the way this book was written. It felt like Urrea inhabited each character as he described the scenes of Big Angel's birthday party, but it wasn't as streamlined as I would have preferred. One minute you're seeing things through the eyes of Little Angel and then the next you're reading from Paz's point of view, and then Lalo, and then Minnie. It was kind of confusing, but once you got a swing of things you can see how the multiple narratives moved with the same stride as the massive birthday party being held.
I received a copy of this book from Little, Brown for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
I really liked this novel. I didn't think I would at first because novels about the grip of life and what it all means tend to force anxiety on me. But even in the short conversations about death and the meaning of life, there was a sense that this was not about it.
I think it has to do with the fact that it was centered around a huge family gathering with Big Angel thinking about his life and what he's accomplished. The story followed all of Big Angel's family members in three generations. You read the bustling setting of a family gathering while each character has their own mini-story contributed to the dynamic of the family. If you've ever read This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper, then you'll definitely get those vibes from this book.
Each family member had a different trait and like many families, they represent one or another diverse issue. There were the women that did everything for their husbands and made sure to take care of the entire family. There were the male characters who dabbled in drugs and gang violence. There was even a character who was only half-Mexican and you get to hear the kind of discrimination he comes across not only from his peers but from his family. There's a little something for everyone here.
I don't know, I feel like I saw a lot of my grandfather in Big Angel. My grandfather was definitely my family's patriarch. When my mom and her sisters would argue, he'd be the one mediating the arguments and keeping everyone calm. He was the silent force behind my family and ever since he passed, things have been so different.
Reading about Big Angel's final birthday was like remember my grandfather at one of our last big family gatherings. For some reason, my family is so interconnected. My best friends are my sister and my cousins. My family meet on random Sundays after church just to get lunch and be with each other. We are each other's rocks and we're always chatting with each other. Only a few people dared to even leave the Tri-State area and their loss has been so hard on my grandmother.
Similarly to Big Angel, my grandfather ran a coffee shop, a deli, a donut shop, and so many other small businesses to help his family stay afloat. It was exactly how Big Angel started out while he was learning computer science. He had jobs here and there, but this wasn't the end all. He wanted more and he craved more and just like my grandfather, he got more. When my grandparents got married, they didn't even exchange rings and when my grandfather could finally afford it, he bought my grandmother the most extravagant gifts. For example, my grandmother threw away a vintage Chanel quilted purse because it was too old. We still chastise her for throwing away something most women covet.
Also, I love Big Angel because of his push to be more than just an illegal immigrant from Mexico. I always tell myself that someone will hire me for a job because of my skillset and not because I match some quota. Big Angel did exactly that not only defying the stereotypes behind Mexican workers, but also assuring me and many other first and second generation Americans that with hard work you can still achieve your dreams.
He was such a proud character and you can tell that by the way he prides in his house. The descriptions weren't the best and the house wasn't in the nicest neighborhood, but Big Angel was proud to say he owned a house on American soil. I mean, that has got to be the American Dream right there.
Sadly the really confusing part was all the folks and even sometimes the writing style. Overall, I loved the way this book was written. It felt like Urrea inhabited each character as he described the scenes of Big Angel's birthday party, but it wasn't as streamlined as I would have preferred. One minute you're seeing things through the eyes of Little Angel and then the next you're reading from Paz's point of view, and then Lalo, and then Minnie. It was kind of confusing, but once you got a swing of things you can see how the multiple narratives moved with the same stride as the massive birthday party being held.
I received a copy of this book from Little, Brown for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.