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gailcarroll's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A epic saga. Note that this book could be very triggering for those who are survivors of abuse.
lesleysbooks's review against another edition
Could not engage with the story. There was no plot as such and none of the characters were particularly likeable.
kimchikat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Car accident, Abortion, Sexism, Violence, War, Rape, Transphobia, Pedophilia, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Classism
dakwall's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
noahdc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.5
gowiththefleur's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
agnela's review against another edition
Dnfed at 43%. This is the last time I'm trying to read this.
I don't get it. It feels like a man wrote this,maybe it's because the man has the most screen time in this story. Women in this book do not have much personality or thoughts. They're eccentric, that's pretty much all that keeps them as characters. I understand the author wanted to show specific time and views, but there's plenty of books that did the same, and still portrayed its female characters strong, interesting and complex. I don't see why this is popular. Also, THEY KILLED THE DOG! AND THE FIRST GENERATION PARENTS! HORRIBLY!
I don't get it. It feels like a man wrote this,maybe it's because the man has the most screen time in this story. Women in this book do not have much personality or thoughts. They're eccentric, that's pretty much all that keeps them as characters. I understand the author wanted to show specific time and views, but there's plenty of books that did the same, and still portrayed its female characters strong, interesting and complex. I don't see why this is popular. Also, THEY KILLED THE DOG! AND THE FIRST GENERATION PARENTS! HORRIBLY!
sakurachiyou's review against another edition
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Classism, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
bigolscrewup's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
The point was not to die, since death came anyways, but to survive, which would be a miracle
And that fox escaped with his tail between his legs, with all the hens chasing him
4/5⭐
This is my second Isabel Allende book, after "Violeta" and I've always wanted to read this book before reading any of her other books, but I'm glad to have found some time to read this book finally. I love reading stories that details a family's history through multiple generations, highlighting each family member's eccentricities in a country that's on a path towards a military coup.
I didn't enjoy the the frequent shifts in perspective throughout the book and sometimes within a chapter, which made it difficult for me to follow the story at times. Even though Clara's idea of arranging the story based on events instead of chronological order sounded good as an idea, it was frustrating at times to read some chapters without having any clear idea on when a particular event happened, especially in this story, where there are so many interesting characters, who are all related to each other. Also, I felt the story lost some of its charm once Clara was out of the picture.
The magical realism in the book added a layer of wonder, which blended with Allende's elegant prose drew me and made reading this book an absolute joy.
And that fox escaped with his tail between his legs, with all the hens chasing him
4/5⭐
This is my second Isabel Allende book, after "Violeta" and I've always wanted to read this book before reading any of her other books, but I'm glad to have found some time to read this book finally. I love reading stories that details a family's history through multiple generations, highlighting each family member's eccentricities in a country that's on a path towards a military coup.
I didn't enjoy the the frequent shifts in perspective throughout the book and sometimes within a chapter, which made it difficult for me to follow the story at times. Even though Clara's idea of arranging the story based on events instead of chronological order sounded good as an idea, it was frustrating at times to read some chapters without having any clear idea on when a particular event happened, especially in this story, where there are so many interesting characters, who are all related to each other. Also, I felt the story lost some of its charm once Clara was out of the picture.
The magical realism in the book added a layer of wonder, which blended with Allende's elegant prose drew me and made reading this book an absolute joy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Torture, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Grief, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Animal death, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Abortion
melodyrose25's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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