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jordann's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Loved the CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES. It’s about someone who builds such a cemetery in the Dominican for people to tell the stories so they do not die with people. One story takes up much of the book between sisters, the dictator, etc. I wish it had multiple narrators, but other than that, I really enjoyed it.
The audio was fantastic! Thank you libro.fm for providing audio copies to librarians.
“We both know, Alma reminded her friend, that we don't get free until we write our stories down. She quoted a passage…"If you bring forth what is inside you, what is inside you will save you.
If you do not bring forth what is inside, what is inside you will destroy you.” I
“Some stories don’t want to be told. Let them go.” 1
“It was a good feeling to experience equality literally in the flesh, not just as an abstraction.” I
“…honoring all those characters who had never had the chance to tell their stories. She wanted to bring them home to their mother tongue and land.” I
“A cemetery for untold stories. • The only way to enter is to speak into a small black box at the front gate.” II
“If a story is never told, where does it go? the woman answers with a question?” II
“That's why in certain tribes they say when an old person dies, a library is gone.” II
“The road to some people's hearts only goes in one direction.” III
“The truth is, people are capable of anything.
Don't all the stories Filomena has heard…confirm that?” III
“And if you could hear other people's stories all the time, what then? Would you understand them better? Would you forgive them?” III
The audio was fantastic! Thank you libro.fm for providing audio copies to librarians.
“We both know, Alma reminded her friend, that we don't get free until we write our stories down. She quoted a passage…"If you bring forth what is inside you, what is inside you will save you.
If you do not bring forth what is inside, what is inside you will destroy you.” I
“Some stories don’t want to be told. Let them go.” 1
“It was a good feeling to experience equality literally in the flesh, not just as an abstraction.” I
“…honoring all those characters who had never had the chance to tell their stories. She wanted to bring them home to their mother tongue and land.” I
“A cemetery for untold stories. • The only way to enter is to speak into a small black box at the front gate.” II
“If a story is never told, where does it go? the woman answers with a question?” II
“That's why in certain tribes they say when an old person dies, a library is gone.” II
“The road to some people's hearts only goes in one direction.” III
“The truth is, people are capable of anything.
Don't all the stories Filomena has heard…confirm that?” III
“And if you could hear other people's stories all the time, what then? Would you understand them better? Would you forgive them?” III
meaghan's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
amandafetters's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
jhovland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Read for book club. Reader has a pleasant voice but as there is no change, hard to remember what POV she is reading. Concept is interesting but flat storyline.
mariemone's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
hml_33's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
astoriareader's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
SYNOPSIS
- Alma is a successful writer, but she has some unfinished stories.
- She decides to stop writing. She recently inherited some land in the Dominican Republic, where she grew up, so she decides to move back there.
- On the land, Alma buries her unfinished stories in a cemetery of untold stories. She hires Filomena to care for the cemetery, and Alma also builds a casita on the land where the cemetery is.
- As Filomena cares for the cemetery, two of the characters from the untold stories tell her their stories. We also learn Filomena’s story.
MY THOUGHTS
- Magical realism with some historical fiction.
- Really enjoyed this one. Strong writing & super unique idea that was seamlessly executed. Alvarez is a rich storyteller, and I was so invested in what happened.
- Loved getting a glimpse of some of Dominican Republic’s history and culture as well.
- I enjoyed Alvarez’s mix of Spanish words throughout the book as well. It made all the stories feel more authentic.
- The only reason I am going 4 stars instead of 5 stars is the ending was just okay to me. With such an amazing book, I would have loved a stronger finish.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️magical realism with some historical fiction. amazing character development, strong writing. unique premise and beautifully executed.
Thanks to Algonquin Press and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Infidelity, Child death, Gun violence, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Genocide, and Homophobia