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chelseamartinez's review against another edition
3.0
I guess I am going to classify this as a "beach read" --- it would have been an awesome companion on an actual beach trip (even a one- or two-day one), both because it mostly takes place at the beach and because it captures a short snippet of time. I didn't add up the total days the trip in this book takes... it is more than two days but the nights pile up without much consequence (and the days even less).
I was intrigued by the initial 1980s setting and new wave musical references; this context makes a "beach trip in Mexico" seem more like an escape (but they disappear for the most part after the first chapters). I wasn't ultimately that convinced I was seeing things from the mind of a young person, but... I was a much less wordly young person at that age.
I was intrigued by the initial 1980s setting and new wave musical references; this context makes a "beach trip in Mexico" seem more like an escape (but they disappear for the most part after the first chapters). I wasn't ultimately that convinced I was seeing things from the mind of a young person, but... I was a much less wordly young person at that age.
kiramke's review against another edition
4.0
Aridjis' writing is dreamy in a way that I love, not quite surreal, certainly not magical realist, just... lulling the way that waves can be, if not for our protagonist. Mexico City is a star character in this story, and I'm a bit biased as I delighted in recognizing particular building characters as neighbors in my chosen adopted neighborhood in DF. I also greatly appreciate the reclamation of the bildungsroman, and how deftly literary reference and approachability were interwoven. I do think both the narrative and development lost a little cohesion towards the end, but it might be that world events changed my ability to immerse myself in the feeling of the story. Still enjoyed it and will look for more from this author.
someplace_i_go's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rowanruddle's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
amydavid's review against another edition
5.0
The prose is just so beautiful that this book swept me away.
ikathyy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
katiezew's review against another edition
4.0
Not much happened but I liked the descriptions of the locations.
davidwright's review against another edition
4.0
Slightly surreal, imagistic "beach read," an enjoyable and worthwhile little experiential daytrip. Prose for poetry lovers, a la Louise Bennet's Pond.
stephvatz's review against another edition
3.0
Beautifully written with no real plot. A daydream of a read for those who like that sort of thing.