Scan barcode
fbroom's review against another edition
5.0
The story of 15 year old Ana who moves to America in 1965 when Juan Ruiz proposes who was twice her age at the time. She leaves behind her classmate who she was attracted to. The marriage was an opportunity for her family to finally move and make a good life in America.
Anna becomes miserable. Life is actually hard in America. Juan is abusive. She spends her days cleaning and cooking for the Ruiz brothers. One day she decides to leave especially after a bad night with Juan choking her really hard. The younger brother Cesar sees her at the bus stop and convinces her to stay. On the way she faints and we discover that she is pregnant.
We see Political unrest and turmoil meanwhile in Dominicana forcing Juan to return back to check on their family assets but he discovers that his eldest brother had depleted whatever the younger 3 brothers saved so he stays even longer. Juan's departure is a great opportunity for Anna. She can finally breath. She starts taking classes. She goes out with Cesar who she grew to love. She starts cooking and selling his baked goods to Cesar's friends. Life is finally looking good.
Eventually we see that Cesar is also falling for Anna. They both are in love and decide that Anna must leave Juan for him. The have a plan to go to New Jersey to start a new life. Unfortunately, Juan returns and tells Anna that her family are finally coming to America. Anna now has to choose between the two.
Anna becomes miserable. Life is actually hard in America. Juan is abusive. She spends her days cleaning and cooking for the Ruiz brothers. One day she decides to leave especially after a bad night with Juan choking her really hard. The younger brother Cesar sees her at the bus stop and convinces her to stay. On the way she faints and we discover that she is pregnant.
We see Political unrest and turmoil meanwhile in Dominicana forcing Juan to return back to check on their family assets but he discovers that his eldest brother had depleted whatever the younger 3 brothers saved so he stays even longer. Juan's departure is a great opportunity for Anna. She can finally breath. She starts taking classes. She goes out with Cesar who she grew to love. She starts cooking and selling his baked goods to Cesar's friends. Life is finally looking good.
Eventually we see that Cesar is also falling for Anna. They both are in love and decide that Anna must leave Juan for him. The have a plan to go to New Jersey to start a new life. Unfortunately, Juan returns and tells Anna that her family are finally coming to America. Anna now has to choose between the two.
amywong's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This was surprisingly raw and honest. The characters all felt extremely real. My family's immigrant background and experience made this easy to resonate with me. Unfortunately the abusive aspect of the story was very real and may be hard to swallow for some. I appreciate that it didn't feel sensationalized for the story. It was handled very well and that's sadly a rare skill. For that reason, I'd recommend this to anyone who'd like to read an immigrant story in general not just specifically to relate to the Dominican aspect. A nuanced point that many don't understand is that abuse in a stereotypical family and an immigrant family is different. There's so many more factors as shown in this story comes into play. It's not that whether it's ok or not is different, it's always not ok, it's how you go about it handle it may be different. As seen in Ana's story, she cannot leave not jsut for herself but for her mom, brother and now daughter. In essence, it's not just Ana who is abused physically, it's her entire family. Therefore, the entire family is involved and makes a decision together. The goal to leave, is not changed, it's when and how.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
1abookwormdiary_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
spudnugs96's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.0
nickscoby's review against another edition
3.0
Sooooo, I liked it well enough, but I do have questions about the pacing. The book really meanders for a long time once Ana relocates to New York, but then the ending is hella rushed! Like way too much happening in a short span of time. And it's not clear if we are supposed to sympathize with Juan. Cruz is a good writer though. I just disagree with some choices.
piineeaapple's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
kerinl's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book sitting on the library shelf, I remembered seeing it on a to read list, and decided I would check it out. I can’t believe this book didn’t have a mile long holds list. Ana, a child bride,moves to America with her much older husband. Knowing no English and knowing no one she begins her life in New York City. I couldn’t put this one down! My heart ached for Ana, the writing is fabulous. This is one of my favorite books of the year. Grab it quick before the rest of the world discovers this gem. If you liked Where the Crawdads Sing and Red at the Bone this ones for you!
sophbattison's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
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? Yes
4.0