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heybalestoo's review against another edition
5.0
I beautiful and heartbreaking look at what it means to be an immigrant in America.
elisabethian's review against another edition
3.0
i enjoy the way the book was written, featuring Alma and Mayor as the main narrators, as well as sprinkling in the rest of the residents’ stories throughout. having Arturo’s perspective be last was definitely hard-hitting and the way to go, as much as i would have liked to have heard Maribel’s thoughts (though i understand we didn’t get that both because it wasn’t her story necessarily and to represent her lack of agency in her own life)
i also enjoyed the moments between Maribel and Mayor, very teenager, but often sweet to see two “outcasts” bond and for maribel to find “her person”
“I will tell you them all the ways I loved this country.”
i also enjoyed the moments between Maribel and Mayor, very teenager, but often sweet to see two “outcasts” bond and for maribel to find “her person”
“I will tell you them all the ways I loved this country.”
hilaryannbrown's review against another edition
5.0
The audiobook was especially lovely. The voices for each character felt true. I was sad for it to end!
evamm23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
melissadaustin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.75
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
The Rivera family enjoyed a happy life in Mexico, but after their 15-year-old daughter, Mirabel, was injured in an accident, they came to America in hopes of finding help for her recovery. Arriving in Delaware they meet the other residents of their apartment building – all from Spanish speaking countries, but each with a unique story. The Toro family is from Panama, and their son, Mayor, forms a special friendship with Mirabel. Other apartment dwellers are from Puerto Rico, Guatemala or Nicaragua. They help one another navigate this new land, but their dreams are not so easy to achieve.
Henriquez uses a different narrator for each chapter, giving us insight into the various characters, who cling to their differences while sharing a similar immigrant experience. The novel focuses, however, on the two teenagers – Mirabel and Mayor – and their families. With these two families Henriquez shows us various love stories – first love, married love, parental love. We also see the kind of fierce devotion to a dream that can blind one to reality, and the pain of past experience that can make one cower in fright.
I was touched by Alma, Mirabel’s mother. She blamed herself for Mirabel’s accident and felt lost and frustrated by her inability to control everything in this new, foreign environment. I was also infuriated by her. Her stubborn refusal to confide in anyone only further isolated her and cut her off from some of the assistance that might have improved things for them.
In contrast, Mayor and Mirabel’s story is a lovely, innocent look and first love. And while I cringed at some of the things they did (reckless teenagers), I also loved how these two misfits, found acceptance and joy in just being together, and helped one another feel valued and less alone.
A couple of the building residents were less than likeable – the busybody gossip, for example. But on the whole I liked the way Henriquez revealed their varied backgrounds and common goals for a better life. I found myself so caught up in their dreams that I felt almost as stunned as the characters when tragedy knocks them to the pavement. But, while there cannot be a neat happy ending, Henriquez does give us hope. I’ll be thinking about Mirabel, Mayor, Alma, Arturo, Rafael, Celia and all the other “unknown Americans” for a long time.
Henriquez uses a different narrator for each chapter, giving us insight into the various characters, who cling to their differences while sharing a similar immigrant experience. The novel focuses, however, on the two teenagers – Mirabel and Mayor – and their families. With these two families Henriquez shows us various love stories – first love, married love, parental love. We also see the kind of fierce devotion to a dream that can blind one to reality, and the pain of past experience that can make one cower in fright.
I was touched by Alma, Mirabel’s mother. She blamed herself for Mirabel’s accident and felt lost and frustrated by her inability to control everything in this new, foreign environment. I was also infuriated by her. Her stubborn refusal to confide in anyone only further isolated her and cut her off from some of the assistance that might have improved things for them.
In contrast, Mayor and Mirabel’s story is a lovely, innocent look and first love. And while I cringed at some of the things they did (reckless teenagers), I also loved how these two misfits, found acceptance and joy in just being together, and helped one another feel valued and less alone.
A couple of the building residents were less than likeable – the busybody gossip, for example. But on the whole I liked the way Henriquez revealed their varied backgrounds and common goals for a better life. I found myself so caught up in their dreams that I felt almost as stunned as the characters when tragedy knocks them to the pavement. But, while there cannot be a neat happy ending, Henriquez does give us hope. I’ll be thinking about Mirabel, Mayor, Alma, Arturo, Rafael, Celia and all the other “unknown Americans” for a long time.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
Re-reading this book brought home the poignancy of the story once again, more clearly. I found myself wondering how lost I would feel in put in circumstances similar to what the various characters go through, which was pretty humbling.
kaitlyncastro13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
honeybeeg's review against another edition
3.0
I love the story that is told; but agree with some other reviews it was pretty simplistic. I enjoy how the author pulls in so many realities that immigrant families face I. America.
melodyriggs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I'm pairing this book with the nonfiction memoir, Beautiful Country, for a staff book club at the school where I work. While this is a work of fiction, I think Henriquez excellently captured a lot of what is echoed in Beautiful Country and in many immigrant stories. Whether one is here legally or is undocumented, the experiences with those who don't want them here are the same, and are painful to read about, even in fiction. I liked how this book really focused on what we do for those we love and forgiving ourselves more than on the immigration piece, but I enjoyed the stories of the various immigrants as well.