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tylarlar's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Domestic abuse
kassielovestoread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
This was a difficult book to read. The injustices that are done too Ana are unconscionable and I know that her story isn't unique (as stated in the author's Acknowledgements), but this is a story that I'll never forget. As a Dominican woman myself, I feel insurmountable grief at the similarities in Ana's story and my mothers. There's a tightness in my chest that won't dissipate; I imagine it'll take some time to shake it off.
Every emotion our main character experienced, I did as well. I was deeply and meaningfully impacted by Ana's story. I feel like I say this all the time but I truly mean it now: I rooted so hard for Ana. While the ending isn't the ideal happily ever after I would've wanted to read, I know that Ana's story ends much happier now that she has found her voice and has her family to care for. (Sidebar: an epilogue in which a meteor hails from the heavens and lands squarely and resolutely for Juan. Resulting in no other casualties or fatalities besides him.)
Angie Cruz's writing style is unlike any that I've read before. The author doesn't use quotation marks in the dialogue, but you understand anyway that conversations are taking place between the characters. It was interesting. The chapters are also super short- I think the longest one was maybe 5 pages? The overall length of this novel is just over 300 pages so the book didn't take me more than a couple days to finish. I will definitely read more of Cruz's works in the future!
Every emotion our main character experienced, I did as well. I was deeply and meaningfully impacted by Ana's story. I feel like I say this all the time but I truly mean it now: I rooted so hard for Ana. While the ending isn't the ideal happily ever after I would've wanted to read, I know that Ana's story ends much happier now that she has found her voice and has her family to care for. (Sidebar: an epilogue in which a meteor hails from the heavens and lands squarely and resolutely for Juan. Resulting in no other casualties or fatalities besides him.)
Angie Cruz's writing style is unlike any that I've read before. The author doesn't use quotation marks in the dialogue, but you understand anyway that conversations are taking place between the characters. It was interesting. The chapters are also super short- I think the longest one was maybe 5 pages? The overall length of this novel is just over 300 pages so the book didn't take me more than a couple days to finish. I will definitely read more of Cruz's works in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Domestic abuse
clagarnach_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
notjillsanders's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A heavy but rewarding read. Surprisingly quick, and if you can get past the lack of quotation marks (seriously Angie Cruz, why), it offers a fantastic, sad, beautiful, honest look into the lives of Dominicanas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content
oliviantoinette's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Racial slurs
amymcphrsn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
sweetpeach's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Fatphobia
sidekicksam's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dominicana tells the story of fifteen-year-old Ana. After growing up in the Dominican Republic, she is married off to Juan, a man twice her age, who is making a life for himself and his brothers in America.
This novel is a beautiful portrayal of family obligation, womanhood, motherhood, marriage and immigration. The book brings to life the story of so many immigrants and their struggles in a new and daunting country, in which they don't speak the language, but also raises the voices of women sent off to marry older men, and forfeiting their rights and independence.
For all who are looking for a book with a special writing style (this book uses no quotation marks) and people who loved Betty and A Woman Is No Man, or who love West Side Story, this book is definitely it for you!
This novel is a beautiful portrayal of family obligation, womanhood, motherhood, marriage and immigration. The book brings to life the story of so many immigrants and their struggles in a new and daunting country, in which they don't speak the language, but also raises the voices of women sent off to marry older men, and forfeiting their rights and independence.
For all who are looking for a book with a special writing style (this book uses no quotation marks) and people who loved Betty and A Woman Is No Man, or who love West Side Story, this book is definitely it for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
heartsfromella's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Racism
roxie_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don’t know if I’ll ever find to words to describe how amazing this book is. It just hits so close to my heart and genuinely felt like an incredibly immersive experience. I felt so much love and nurture for Ana that this book left me in shambles multiple times throughout.
As a young Dominican woman, myself, this felt like so much more than an important story. It felt like such an intimate connection to the history of my people. To the ways my mother was raised, my grandmother, as well. It made me garner for more empathy for the women in my life than I ever thought possible.
So to anybody pondering this read: please… just pick it up and start. It’s 100% worth the ride.
Angie Cruz, I wish I could thank you a thousand times over, but for now you have a devoted fan :)
As a young Dominican woman, myself, this felt like so much more than an important story. It felt like such an intimate connection to the history of my people. To the ways my mother was raised, my grandmother, as well. It made me garner for more empathy for the women in my life than I ever thought possible.
So to anybody pondering this read: please… just pick it up and start. It’s 100% worth the ride.
Angie Cruz, I wish I could thank you a thousand times over, but for now you have a devoted fan :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse