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tiche22h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Alcohol
rhi_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Deportation
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, and Death of parent
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.25
I do really like the topics Garcia wanted to tackle, the relationships between women and cycles of abuse and I completely agree with the author that there is no “one” immigrant story in her short interview with Roxane Gay but I think she really needs to re-examine how she writes non white characters and characters her Mexican and Cuban family don’t fit into since those characters suffered the most. I do really like that she wrote about racism and classism in Mexico and the resentments between different Latino groups even if again that sometimes felt clunky. I especially loved the Cuban families divided less by borders and more by interpersonal issues and with very different and strong political opinions.
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
metamorfosa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
saboyer's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
And the empathetic, powerful, nuanced and yet so simplistic look at refugees.
“That there are no real rules that govern why some are born in turmoil and others never know a single day in which the next seems an ill-considered bet. It’s all lottery, Ana, all chance. It’s the flick of a coin, and we are born.”
What a sad, beautiful book. And how sad we won’t do better for the people around us.
And speaking of salt: I can’t believe a book like American Dirt is more popular than something as beautiful as this.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
indydc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Deportation
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cancer
anolis210's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction and Domestic abuse
cassidys_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Addiction and Sexual assault
inlaraland's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
This short historical-fiction novel packs a punch. With about 200 pages, Gabriela Garcia knits a patchwork of stories from the various female characters (set in different timelines) and weaves a moving tale that discusses the pain of suffering under political struggle, immigration, loss, and addiction. There is an emphasis on generational trauma, which is told through the relationships between the mothers and daughters in this novel. The narrative isn't quite linear, and each chapter reads more like a short story. However, when it all comes together in the end, you feel the heavyweight of emotion that author has been building from the first chapter. This book will challenge your perception and remind you of privileges that most people can easily take for granted. I didn't anticipate giving this book such a high rating when I first started reading, but the breathtaking writing and gut wrenching story is one I consider a favorite.
If you've enjoyed "Pachinko" and "The Mountains Sing" then I think you'll really like this one!
Graphic: Addiction and Violence
Moderate: Cancer and Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
salsa_valentina's review against another edition
- 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
Well written with concepts us immigrants are all too familiar with. The authors characters are flawed but I can see so much of myself and my family in the characters that it makes you reflect on your own life. Her way of writing kept me hooked on the book. THE GENERATIONAL TRAUMA IS REAL. She has such an enlightening way to write and illustrate the trauma that gets passed down to each generation along side the effects it had on her characters. Pretty short as well. I finished the book in two days, but honestly you could probably finish in one. But I will say there are some very triggering topics mentioned including: rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, assault, domestic violence, substance abuse, all the generational trauma...
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Deportation
Warning: Immigration related beginning includes sudden deportation