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tbhwhoknows's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
short chapters great history writing, learned so much about argentinian history which was very cool. i did like the way it was written from two timelines and it was interesting following along to see where and how they intersect. HOWEVER it is SO MUCH telling SO MUCH details that were unnecessary and added absolutely nothing to the story. and also it is actually so unrealistic that literally every single person ever existed in this book is stunning and beautiful. like if i’m reading about someone getting tortured i don’t actually care if the officer has a stunning handsome baby face, dudes still a dickhead.
also the ending from paloma, she was so mad at her mum for actually no reason?? did not understand why she was so mean like i get you need time to process but just do that?? without being so mean??
also first book club book!
also first book club book!
izzy_reads7's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
megangraff's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars is a bit generous but I found both time periods interesting and it made me want to know more about Argentinian history.
burns_cheadle's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars—fundamentally a romance novel (not my usual fare) set in the context of intergenerational trauma from Argentina's Dirty War. I enjoyed gaining some insights into the history of the dirty war, but found the setting descriptions a bit too sparse and character development relatively weak.
rebeconda's review against another edition
4.0
This novel does what historical fiction does best: draw us into a piece of history and bring it to life. This story jumps back and forth between the 1970s and 1998, centering the story of Paloma, who uncovers both Argentina’s and her own story.
jacqiesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
_astronomay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
thepagelady's review against another edition
5.0
Book Review…On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Santiago Larrea, a Argentine diplomat, is holding court with his wife, Lila, and their daughter, Paloma, at their annual summer polo match and soiree. All seems perfect until an unexpected party guest shakes his usually unflappable demeanor. The woman's cryptic comments spark Paloma’s curiosity about her father’s past.
When the family travels to Buenos Aires Paloma is determined to learn more about his life in the years leading up to the military dictatorship of 1976. With the help of Franco Bonetti, a member of H.I.J.O.S. a group whose members are the children of the “disappeared,” men and women who were forcibly disappeared by the state during Argentina’s “Dirty War”
Paloma's determination unleashes a chain of events that not only leads her to question her family and her identity, but also puts her life in danger.
On a Night of a Thousand Stars was a fascinating story. I've read historical fiction books that were during the Dirty War but I never heard of the disappeared ("desaparecidos") men and women so that was really interesting. There's actually a lot of Argentina's history about that time period offered in this book. But it's not told where we get a bunch of information at one time we learn it as Paloma does. There's dual timelines and point of views: the 1970s is told from Santiago's perspective and the 1990s is told by Paloma. The only thing I wish was different was that I could have connected more with the characters. But other it's Intense and inspiring!
Thank you Grand Central Pub and Andrea Yaryura Clark for sharing this story with me!
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Santiago Larrea, a Argentine diplomat, is holding court with his wife, Lila, and their daughter, Paloma, at their annual summer polo match and soiree. All seems perfect until an unexpected party guest shakes his usually unflappable demeanor. The woman's cryptic comments spark Paloma’s curiosity about her father’s past.
When the family travels to Buenos Aires Paloma is determined to learn more about his life in the years leading up to the military dictatorship of 1976. With the help of Franco Bonetti, a member of H.I.J.O.S. a group whose members are the children of the “disappeared,” men and women who were forcibly disappeared by the state during Argentina’s “Dirty War”
Paloma's determination unleashes a chain of events that not only leads her to question her family and her identity, but also puts her life in danger.
On a Night of a Thousand Stars was a fascinating story. I've read historical fiction books that were during the Dirty War but I never heard of the disappeared ("desaparecidos") men and women so that was really interesting. There's actually a lot of Argentina's history about that time period offered in this book. But it's not told where we get a bunch of information at one time we learn it as Paloma does. There's dual timelines and point of views: the 1970s is told from Santiago's perspective and the 1990s is told by Paloma. The only thing I wish was different was that I could have connected more with the characters. But other it's Intense and inspiring!
Thank you Grand Central Pub and Andrea Yaryura Clark for sharing this story with me!
katie_samsock's review against another edition
5.0
This was a Goodreads giveaway win
Wow the stuff that went down in the 1970’s in Argentina is heartbreaking to say the least. My father grew up in Chile so I’m familiar with a similar history of a nearby country but never knew the details of what transpired in Argentina. This book has two storylines going at once. One of Paloma in the year 1998 during a family visit to Buenos Aires. The second is about her father Santiago during the mid 70’s. It starts slowly and works it’s way up to a fast pace as things begin to piece themselves together.
Definitely add this to your TBR pile
Wow the stuff that went down in the 1970’s in Argentina is heartbreaking to say the least. My father grew up in Chile so I’m familiar with a similar history of a nearby country but never knew the details of what transpired in Argentina. This book has two storylines going at once. One of Paloma in the year 1998 during a family visit to Buenos Aires. The second is about her father Santiago during the mid 70’s. It starts slowly and works it’s way up to a fast pace as things begin to piece themselves together.
Definitely add this to your TBR pile