Scan barcode
caribbeangirlreading's review
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
When I finished reading this book I could not put my finger on why this book did not resonate with me. I think my issue is that this book is not a novel, but a collection of slice-of-life stories. Some readers will enjoy this structure, but for me, I felt like I was reading a diary in which someone narrates the day-to-day details of their life, but gives no context, or historical background. I love short story collections, but that's not what this is AT ALL. Like the author herself stated in the acknowledgements, Texas is a diverse, challenging and complex place. I felt like the author tried to cover too many themes with too many characters and not enough depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Dementia, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
The Last of the Karankawas is a novel that unfolds via short stories. It has a large cast of connected, albeit loosely in some cases, characters, some of who feature repeatedly throughout the book, while others are more minor players. What gives these stories the cohesiveness of a novel, is the community of Fish Village, Galveston which is the key setting and becomes a character in its own right, and 2008’s Hurricane Ike, the progress of which provides narrative momentum, and a throughline connecting the stories, some of which move back and forward in time. Coincidentally I was reading this while Hurricanes Fiona and Ian were prominently in the news which made for a very immersive experience. I loved the diversity in this book which features characters of Filipino, Mexican and Indigenous descent. I also loved its expansive feel with a sprawling cast of characters whose varied lives permitted an exploration of many subjects and themes - religion, dementia, migration, baseball, personal aspirations, racism, guilt, trauma, parental pressure, belonging, family, drugs, history, forgiveness, environmental issues and so much more. I also appreciated the author’s willingness to experiment (although Greek choruses seem to be having a moment and possibly no longer count as experimentation) even if, in the case of the epilogue written as an appendix, I’m not fully convinced of its effectiveness. Overall though the storytelling had me absorbed. I’ll definitely pick up whatever Kimberly Garza writes next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Racism
mondovertigo's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Racism, Dementia, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage and Racial slurs
More...