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beepbopbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Unputdownable. Moves seamlessly between being laugh out loud funny to exposing the horrific realities of being an illegal immigrant.
I adored this book and I’m gutted to have finished it. I will miss the Palacios family!
I adored this book and I’m gutted to have finished it. I will miss the Palacios family!
christina_adamson's review against another edition
4.0
Think Romeo and Juliet, but swap Verona for Trinidad, swap Juliet for Yola Palacios, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela fleeing Maduro’s socialist “utopia”, and swap Montague for the Trinidadian people trafficker named Ugly extorting her family after Aunt Celia (who, like the Nurse, provides stellar relationship advice) spontaneously died owing him $600,000. Romeo (or Román) is his begrudgingly-hired muscle, and he and Yola must stealthily navigate the matters of Ugly’s blackmail, indentured servitude, deportation and murder if their love is to survive.
Mackenzie's choice to depict the Palacios’ experiences through a bitingly comedic lens (and forego the ‘more traditional immigrant narrative’) was a deliberate decision that, in my opinion, paid off to great effect. By deftly and light-heartedly introducing us to their intra-familial gripes, and their witty, anxious and airheaded personalities, the Palacioses are depicted first-and-foremost as relatable and likeable people, who just so happen to be living as illegal immigrants.
And what fantastically fully-fleshed, people they are! Let me just shout a little: I LOVED EVERY SINGLE WOMAN IN THIS BOOK. From acerbic Celia (rest in peace, you spiteful legend), to Milagros’ ardent Catholicism and NGO badassery, and lovestruck but fiercely independent Yola, OYofU was populated with three-dimensional, powerful women, who were devoted to their family in their own, wholly unique ways.
My only qualm was with the author’s depiction of the strippers working in Ugly’s “gentlemen’s” club: refreshing as it is to see such positive depictions of strippers who ‘liked to earn a living shaking their asses… and sweet-talking men’, it seemed clumsy to not at all consider the vulnerable political/economic background that these South American ‘career strippers’ were coming from, regardless of whether they were explicit victims of sexual trafficking or otherwise.
Nevertheless, One Year of Ugly was a fantastic read, depicting the plight of the Palacios’ - and of Venezuelan’s fleeing persecution in their home country - with sensitivity and pathos. I definitely recommend it!
Mackenzie's choice to depict the Palacios’ experiences through a bitingly comedic lens (and forego the ‘more traditional immigrant narrative’) was a deliberate decision that, in my opinion, paid off to great effect. By deftly and light-heartedly introducing us to their intra-familial gripes, and their witty, anxious and airheaded personalities, the Palacioses are depicted first-and-foremost as relatable and likeable people, who just so happen to be living as illegal immigrants.
And what fantastically fully-fleshed, people they are! Let me just shout a little: I LOVED EVERY SINGLE WOMAN IN THIS BOOK. From acerbic Celia (rest in peace, you spiteful legend), to Milagros’ ardent Catholicism and NGO badassery, and lovestruck but fiercely independent Yola, OYofU was populated with three-dimensional, powerful women, who were devoted to their family in their own, wholly unique ways.
My only qualm was with the author’s depiction of the strippers working in Ugly’s “gentlemen’s” club: refreshing as it is to see such positive depictions of strippers who ‘liked to earn a living shaking their asses… and sweet-talking men’, it seemed clumsy to not at all consider the vulnerable political/economic background that these South American ‘career strippers’ were coming from, regardless of whether they were explicit victims of sexual trafficking or otherwise.
Nevertheless, One Year of Ugly was a fantastic read, depicting the plight of the Palacios’ - and of Venezuelan’s fleeing persecution in their home country - with sensitivity and pathos. I definitely recommend it!
annmariereads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book so much and wish I could somehow become a member of the Palacio family!
delena_mae's review against another edition
3.0
This book was OK for me. It wasn't until the end that it started to get interesting. Overall, I found it a bit slow.
outer_books's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was such a fun read, despite the annoying childish Yola, holy moly. This is a medium paced read and it centers around the situation that immigrants from Venezuela had to go through and lose when they had to run away from the rule of Maduro. It's really sad but the author gave it humor, even if I laughed at a 3 or 5 lines.
The reason why I didn't give it a full 5 is because of the writing style. This is a debut novel so I understand that it won't be a smooth type writing but the long, I don't know what to call it, puns or negative talks you link to a show or actor to make it more funny, breaks the immersion as well as it drags some of the situation.
Though it was much more tolerable when listening to the audiobook. I am happy to get this book and try something outside of my comfort zone.
The reason why I didn't give it a full 5 is because of the writing style. This is a debut novel so I understand that it won't be a smooth type writing but the long, I don't know what to call it, puns or negative talks you link to a show or actor to make it more funny, breaks the immersion as well as it drags some of the situation.
Though it was much more tolerable when listening to the audiobook. I am happy to get this book and try something outside of my comfort zone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Slavery, Trafficking, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gun violence
cassidee_omnilegent's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars!
Happy Publishing Day to Trinidad native @carolinemackenziewrites! This was such a fun story. Yola is in the midst of grieving her Aunt Celia when a dangerous man named Ugly pays her family a visit. He brings it to their attention that Celia owes him A LOT of money and he expects them to work off her debt. So begins the journey of using their family homes to harbor the illegal immigrants that Ugly moves across borders for extortionate fees. The matter is made more complicated when Yola falls in lust with Roman, Ugly’s strong arm.
This writing won’t be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. It’s frank and honest. Forewarning, since I know some of my friends on here have strong religious convictions towards sexuality and sexual partners, this isn’t a book for you. I am not religious in the least, so no issue for me. Yola is crass and bold and comfortable in her own body. There was a lot of body positivity in this novel. There were serious moments and hilarious moments. The relationship between Roman and Yola was actually really tender. I liked that Caroline didn’t try to tell the immigrant story since she’s a native, but rather showed the interactions between the immigrants and Yola’s family. It all ended up working towards an ending that I was quite surprised about.
A few thoughts, I actually didn’t think Yola was as “bitchy” as everyone said. She is a strong woman that says her mind, but I found that as a strength. Her Aunt Celia is definitely a different story. She says some things that are pretty awful, sometimes very politically incorrect. I didn’t enjoy the aspect of her older brother dating a minor/just turned 18 year old girl. I don’t condone that in any way and couldn’t get that part of the story, even though they ended up working out okay with the way the storyline went. All in all, I enjoyed this a lot but had a few issues! I would definitely read more of Caroline’s writing.
Happy Publishing Day to Trinidad native @carolinemackenziewrites! This was such a fun story. Yola is in the midst of grieving her Aunt Celia when a dangerous man named Ugly pays her family a visit. He brings it to their attention that Celia owes him A LOT of money and he expects them to work off her debt. So begins the journey of using their family homes to harbor the illegal immigrants that Ugly moves across borders for extortionate fees. The matter is made more complicated when Yola falls in lust with Roman, Ugly’s strong arm.
This writing won’t be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. It’s frank and honest. Forewarning, since I know some of my friends on here have strong religious convictions towards sexuality and sexual partners, this isn’t a book for you. I am not religious in the least, so no issue for me. Yola is crass and bold and comfortable in her own body. There was a lot of body positivity in this novel. There were serious moments and hilarious moments. The relationship between Roman and Yola was actually really tender. I liked that Caroline didn’t try to tell the immigrant story since she’s a native, but rather showed the interactions between the immigrants and Yola’s family. It all ended up working towards an ending that I was quite surprised about.
A few thoughts, I actually didn’t think Yola was as “bitchy” as everyone said. She is a strong woman that says her mind, but I found that as a strength. Her Aunt Celia is definitely a different story. She says some things that are pretty awful, sometimes very politically incorrect. I didn’t enjoy the aspect of her older brother dating a minor/just turned 18 year old girl. I don’t condone that in any way and couldn’t get that part of the story, even though they ended up working out okay with the way the storyline went. All in all, I enjoyed this a lot but had a few issues! I would definitely read more of Caroline’s writing.
monikasbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Its was fun reading “One year of Ugly”. Its a fresh take one family drama. You might have read many dysfunctional family stories, but this is truly unique. I loved everything about the Palacios.. and who names a local thug “Ugly”, the author pulled off wonderfully with this one. Read it to know why this book is named after a thug!! Its light, funny and witty throughout..
Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for reader’s copy of this book. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way!
Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for reader’s copy of this book. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way!
soph_naughton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ckmccowan's review against another edition
5.0
What a joy! I absolutely adored this book. "One Year of Ugly" is the debut novel for Trinidad-native, Caroline Mackenzie, and tells the story of Yola Palacios's family and how they navigate one year living under the harsh direction of a crime boss who exploits their illegal status as Venezuelans who escaped Maduro's rule to try to to create a better life for themselves in Trinidad. The ensuing tumultuous year is at times dangerous, thrilling, hilarious and sweet.
Mackenzie's writing is magnificent and I can't wait to read more from her. She does an exceptional job in "One Year of Ugly" portraying the depth and connectedness of the Palacios family. I enjoyed reading about their little squabbles but also how they supported one another and showed the love they feel for each other. It is so real to the complicated nature of living in a large family. This line might be one of my favorites in the book: "Because when your family members are cruising along a river of bullshit, sometimes it's best not to tell them how to navigate. The only thing to do is help them paddle ahead into clearer waters and leave the bullshit behind".
I highly recommend this book. Mackenzie brings to life an often over-looked human rights issue that is still happening in Venezuela and to large groups of people who flee their home countries looking for better lives. These groups are truly at risk of exploitation and that is something Ms. Mackenzie expertly highlights in such a real, raw way. 5 stars.
Mackenzie's writing is magnificent and I can't wait to read more from her. She does an exceptional job in "One Year of Ugly" portraying the depth and connectedness of the Palacios family. I enjoyed reading about their little squabbles but also how they supported one another and showed the love they feel for each other. It is so real to the complicated nature of living in a large family. This line might be one of my favorites in the book: "Because when your family members are cruising along a river of bullshit, sometimes it's best not to tell them how to navigate. The only thing to do is help them paddle ahead into clearer waters and leave the bullshit behind".
I highly recommend this book. Mackenzie brings to life an often over-looked human rights issue that is still happening in Venezuela and to large groups of people who flee their home countries looking for better lives. These groups are truly at risk of exploitation and that is something Ms. Mackenzie expertly highlights in such a real, raw way. 5 stars.
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It took me a long time to decide how to rate this one and I still feel conflicted about my decision. I really enjoyed this quirky story and its hilarious cast of characters. While reading it, I thought the author did an excellent job of conveying the hardships these immigrant families face, and how they can be taken advantage of because they can't go to any authorities for help. However, I was put off by the author's note, which revealed that the author, while Trinidadian, is not Venezuelan like the fictional Palacio family. In retrospect, I should have done more research before picking it up (and in my own defense, they hired a Spanish-speaking narrator for the audiobook, which caused me to let down my guard). Suddenly what I thought were "in jokes" seemed more like punching down, and the internalized misogyny from the main character felt more like a bad stereotype than a critique of the author's own culture. This book left a bad taste in my mouth, but I suppose I should chalk it up to a lesson learned and move on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Trafficking
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia