Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
challenging
emotional
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I did not enjoy the novel Before We Were Free at all. Perhaps it was the genre, because I must admit I am strongly biased against historical fiction. Anita has never questioned her family's freedom living in the Dominican Republic in the 1960's. But relatives keep emigrating to the United States and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of the dictator. This is a very classic tale of a adolescent girl trying to understand adult circumstances. Although it is written with sparing and beautiful prose, some part of me just can't seem to like it. Perhaps if this type of book is more up your alley, you would like it more than I did.
This book found me by chance at Strand Book Store, when I read the synopsis I knew I had to buy it. We are always looking for ways to connect to our past, to somehow understand what was life like during those times we read so plainly in our textbooks; this book is an answer to that plea.
Before we were free is beautifully written to describe the lives of some Dominicans under the dictatorship of Rafael L Trujillo through the eyes of a girl. This book in particular shows the side of the population that was more resourceful, since not everyone had options back then; still it gets to squeeze your heart deeply, probably even if you're not Dominican or had no connection whatsoever with a dictatorship. To me this book is a treasure, without a doubt, a latent memory that still lives in the minds and hearts of our older population -therefore destined to one day only remain in this written form-, a part of my identity, what happened on the streets we now freely walk on.
It also addresses the case of all of those people who have been ripped of their countries and lands by the need to survive. And this is been massively going on through the years, it still does, being both sad -cause it means we still have wars and horrible situations happening around the globe- and a bless -cause some countries have decided to help and open their doors to people in need of a safe environment-. This book will put your sensibility and heart through a test, but it's worth every ache.
Before we were free is beautifully written to describe the lives of some Dominicans under the dictatorship of Rafael L Trujillo through the eyes of a girl. This book in particular shows the side of the population that was more resourceful, since not everyone had options back then; still it gets to squeeze your heart deeply, probably even if you're not Dominican or had no connection whatsoever with a dictatorship. To me this book is a treasure, without a doubt, a latent memory that still lives in the minds and hearts of our older population -therefore destined to one day only remain in this written form-, a part of my identity, what happened on the streets we now freely walk on.
It also addresses the case of all of those people who have been ripped of their countries and lands by the need to survive. And this is been massively going on through the years, it still does, being both sad -cause it means we still have wars and horrible situations happening around the globe- and a bless -cause some countries have decided to help and open their doors to people in need of a safe environment-. This book will put your sensibility and heart through a test, but it's worth every ache.
Una historia ficticia con tintes autobiográficos en el que la autora relata las vivencias de una niña (Anita) y su familia en tiempos de la dictadura en República Dominicana. A través del diario de Anita, conoceremos el impacto que esa violación a los derechos humanos tuvo en ella y sus seres queridos.
Sin duda es una gran historia escrita en prosa sencilla y emotiva. 100 % recomendado. Escribo esto aún con los ojos llorosos tras finalizar el libro
Sin duda es una gran historia escrita en prosa sencilla y emotiva. 100 % recomendado. Escribo esto aún con los ojos llorosos tras finalizar el libro
emotional
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:
No