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katko123's review against another edition
2.0
What a chaotic novel .... I really struggled to follow both characters and chopped timeline. Every chapter tells a different story which actually is a part of a bigger picture. At the end of an audiobook the author herself explains that this book initially has started as a number of short stories. It actually feels like short stories collection rather than a novel.
In my opinion this is not well thought through piece of work, unfinished. Has a potential for becoming something much better. Just not as it is.
In my opinion this is not well thought through piece of work, unfinished. Has a potential for becoming something much better. Just not as it is.
kaczorlantz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The interweaving of immigrant stories was interesting, as was the history of Cuba. There were a lot of details left out along the way that made it a little harder to follow. I could’ve done with a little more detail
keltronz's review against another edition
dark
medium-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
2.5
kt_schutte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Trafficking, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Blood, Deportation, Drug abuse, Grief, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
jencunn2024's review against another edition
4.0
I’m rounding up from a 3.75/5 stars. This novel is a little disjointed to follow, especially in audio format, but Gabriela Garcia’s writing is wonderful, proseful, and easy. Her disjointed timeline and narrator multiplicity still tells a moving and interwoven story across six generations of interrelated women from Cuba to America and back again, with overlaps into other Latino cultures including El Salvador, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Dominica. The narrative gathers from the edges into a solid core of motherhood featuring generational gaps and secrets. I would recommend for anyone wanting to read about Latinos, immigrants, and women and their intercultural as well as intercultural struggles with racism, classism, and sexism and trying to do what’s best for themselves, their families, and each other. The battles with morality and law and crime and love and every facet of survivalist decisions are both heart-breaking and inspiring.
kncody's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
parkereg's review against another edition
5.0
Really good! I wish it would have dove deeper into every woman's story (in the family)
jennla156's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
kmanhart's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
Stream of consciousness style. Multiple POV’s to keep track of, none of the women were lovable maybe with the exception of Ana because she was a kid and innocent. Was very confusing at times because they would be talking and then switch in the middle of the paragraph to something completely different. Then the timeline would jump but only a couple of years back and forth so then it was really confusing to follow as to what was happening.I don’t know how this won so many accolades. None of the women had any redeeming qualities and were all terrible to other people. By the last 50 pages I was skimming because I just didn’t care what happened to them anymore. So glad it’s over.
vit_ka's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0