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dreamingandendless's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book captures Colombians' relationship with violence. An eternal Civil war with changing factions that have left millions upon millions without a home. The narrator is a child which is by far the best way to try and explain to people how it was, how it feels the first time you turn on the news and something horrible happened near to you.
Written from a priveledged perspective, it is nonetheless powerful and emotionally charged. The book hits very close to home, since I too left Colombia for more hopeful horizons. The protagonist's older sister acts pretty much as I have these last year's in expatriation, trying to forget, trying to excel and overcome. The feeling of smallness you have. People don't understand where you've come from.
I am distraught. The writing is very good and I don't know if I can say anything too damning of the book. Unsure what non-colombian US/European audiences will get out of this book. Some sick sense of voyeuristic smugness?
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Drug abuse
abbasaurusrex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Drug use, Kidnapping, Child death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Classism and Death
aduran037's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Rape, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, War, Suicide attempt, Racism, and Violence
rachelita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Rape, and Violence
megansoetaert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
petrona and chula show two very different experiences in 80s and 90s colombia & i felt like i learned a lot from this book, but didn’t feel huge emotional connections to any of the characters
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Violence
moniipeters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Blood, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical content, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Trafficking, Violence, War, Addiction, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Torture
bookishbeccahale'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? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
whimsicalish's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Violence and Gore
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
henrye'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? Yes
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Drug use, Drug abuse, Rape, Murder, Violence, Child death, Pregnancy, Mass/school shootings, Grief, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Gore
lwl000's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Drug abuse
Minor: Infidelity