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mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
oh i love u silvia
this book was so well done imo, i loved each of the perspectives and it really made the narrative full and lush- i loved salome and vera’s perspectives- i loved vera’s strength-nancy was the picture of entitlement and insanity and drove the plot into the darkness i didn’t love jay as much but i have a bias against white men especially rich ones
this book was so well done imo, i loved each of the perspectives and it really made the narrative full and lush- i loved salome and vera’s perspectives- i loved vera’s strength-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you ever watched Game of Thrones, it’s like that. So many points of view even if it only follows three arcs, very slow character development and relationships, then at the end everything goes sideways and you’re left wondering if you liked the ending.
You follow Salome, from the Bible, as she meets John the Baptist and all the trappings of a historical retelling which culminates in her dance of the seven veils.
You’re also following two Hollywood actresses who end up entwined in Salome’s story retold in a movie both actresses are in. Vera, the lead actress, is a Mexican born up and coming actress pulled from obscurity and trying her best to find a balance of work, relationships, family traditions and self discovery while dealing with racism and sexism in 1950’s Hollywood. The other actress, Nancy, peaked when she was young and after 4 years of small roles in films, shady deals to pay for rent and even shady networking, is just so bitter and jaded about Vera that she loses all common sense and destroys her whole life as she attempts to drag everyone else around her, down with her.
There’s also other pov’s from modern times looking back and reminiscing about the 1950’s and the “incident” that alludes to Vera and Nancy.
You follow Salome, from the Bible, as she meets John the Baptist and all the trappings of a historical retelling which culminates in her dance of the seven veils.
You’re also following two Hollywood actresses who end up entwined in Salome’s story retold in a movie both actresses are in. Vera, the lead actress, is a Mexican born up and coming actress pulled from obscurity and trying her best to find a balance of work, relationships, family traditions and self discovery while dealing with racism and sexism in 1950’s Hollywood. The other actress, Nancy, peaked when she was young and after 4 years of small roles in films, shady deals to pay for rent and even shady networking, is just so bitter and jaded about Vera that she loses all common sense and destroys her whole life as she attempts to drag everyone else around her, down with her.
There’s also other pov’s from modern times looking back and reminiscing about the 1950’s and the “incident” that alludes to Vera and Nancy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Classism
Moderate: Hate crime
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an interesting concept! The author interweaves the story of Salome with the story of two young budding actresses in the Golden age of Hollywood, desperate to play the role in a new film. Just like in the story of Salome, there is a love-triangle, with an extra somewhat cunning side character with few scruples. Culture/Race/Religious relations are highlighted throughout both stories and come to a head (too on the nose?).
The author changes narrator between Salome, Vera, and Nancy throughout with interjections of celebrity tabloid reports and documentary like interview monologues from side characters reflecting on a mysterious tragedy that took place while filming. The shifting perspective creates intrigue into what will happen/happened at the conclusion of filming and which of the lovely budding actresses is at fault? What act will their desperation lead them to perform and who else will be dragged into the drama.
One question plagues me after finishing the text... It is clear that Nancy is tied to the crime, why would she not face punishment of any nature? Conspiracy to murder at a minimum... Was that not a thing back then?
The author changes narrator between Salome, Vera, and Nancy throughout with interjections of celebrity tabloid reports and documentary like interview monologues from side characters reflecting on a mysterious tragedy that took place while filming. The shifting perspective creates intrigue into what will happen/happened at the conclusion of filming and which of the lovely budding actresses is at fault? What act will their desperation lead them to perform and who else will be dragged into the drama.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Gun violence, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Classism
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I always know I'm in for a good story with a Silvia Moreno-Garcia book, and this one did not disappoint. I found myself racing to the end, needing to see what happened after the final dance. The multiple narratives largely worked for me--although the Salome story itself lost me at times. I think the issue is mine, here; I was simply more interested in what was happening with Vera and her friends, the threat and complexity of Nancy, and the heartbreaking story and parallels present with Jay. The Biblical tale going on at the same time just didn't grab my attention as much, even as I knew it was important to the other elements of the book.
I don't think I'll come back to this one for some time, but I enjoyed the journey. It makes me want to reread Mexican Gothic again!
I don't think I'll come back to this one for some time, but I enjoyed the journey. It makes me want to reread Mexican Gothic again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Classism
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interesting story but not life-changing. I liked that the two main characters represented the two sides of Salome. I also liked that Salome's story was included in the narrative
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment
reflective
tense
slow-paced
The last third of this book is the most exciting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Antisemitism
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This isn’t Moreno-Garcia’s strongest outing, to my mind. I loved the setting in 1950’s Hollywood, and Nancy is a vicious character who leaps off the page. Vera as an ingenue doesn’t get the full force of her humanity and interiority, especially at the end, and the love between Salome and Jokanaan feels unearned (rendering the emotional weight of her choice moot). Still: as a picture of the studio system, of the fight with censorship, it’s a good one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs
challenging
dark
slow-paced
This book has a racism problem and it's not what the main character endures. The problem surrounds the love interest, and what he represents. Jay is romanticized for his whiteness. It is just that simple. Jay is handsome and white, therefore he is the love of Vera's life. This book literally includes the phrase "He's not like the boys in Mexico" in complete sincerity. It could not be more on the nose. Yet it's not satirical.
Nevermind that he was dating a loudly racist woman, who was absolutely spewing racism about his soon-to-be girlfriend. But we aren't shown one of her racist rants with him until their break-up scene. Why? Because then the book would have to admit that Jay is complacent in racism. There are scenes later on that show more overtly his complacence, but isn't it funny how Vera never actually comments on it? She only gets upset that he won't love her "openly". She never wonders if he has any biases himself. Why? Because he's handsome and white.
As a latine myself, this review is very personal to me. I've known women like this who will romanticize a man for doing the bare minimum (and even less), purely because he is white. This book was just depressing in a way that the author did not intend.
As a latine myself, this review is very personal to me. I've known women like this who will romanticize a man for doing the bare minimum (and even less), purely because he is white. This book was just depressing in a way that the author did not intend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism, Sexism