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hollys_library's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and War
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Gun violence, Transphobia, and Murder
vividvoid's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've never read a book so sad that is written this way. It's like, I'm dead inside just like the mc of this book. There's so much thought I have about this book but I can't do it justice. So please just read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Grief
mythology retellingreb_franz's review
- 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? No
4.5
I really loved the magical realism in this book, and especially the way time wasn't flowing in a linear way but we were jumping back and forth in time seamlessly. It reads like one of the Greek tragedies, especially the Eschylus ones (maybe because of the constant mention of the Erynes?) because we already know what's going to happen and there's no way to prevent it. It reminded me both of "Chronicles of a death foretold" and "Slaughterhouse 5". The way the author depicts machismo, transphobia and the internalized homophobia are both heartbreaking and evocative, without feeling like exclusively an LGBT+ novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Hate crime
vigil's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
on an objective level, this is an amazing book. it is well crafted, accomplishes precisely what it set out to do, along with great prose. if anyone asked me about it, i'd readily recommend it.
however, i didn't connect with it like i thought i would. i think it's either the nature of the translation, or of raul's point of view. the book is best described as surreal, keeping you in a quiet haze of introspection and reminiscence, undercut by a swift undercurrent of moments of brutality. part of the hazy quality of the book is the way marcial gala seamlessly transitions between past, present, and future in both subtle and piercing ways. the brutality of this stood out, as well as the occasional moments of sharp emotion from raul, but the haze (the majority of the book) did not especially.
it's hard to put my finger on what exactly would have made the book better for me, but i do think it should've been longer, and perhaps having a different translator / translation style.
this book is filled with triggers, heed all warnings.
however, i didn't connect with it like i thought i would. i think it's either the nature of the translation, or of raul's point of view. the book is best described as surreal, keeping you in a quiet haze of introspection and reminiscence, undercut by a swift undercurrent of moments of brutality. part of the hazy quality of the book is the way marcial gala seamlessly transitions between past, present, and future in both subtle and piercing ways. the brutality of this stood out, as well as the occasional moments of sharp emotion from raul, but the haze (the majority of the book) did not especially.
it's hard to put my finger on what exactly would have made the book better for me, but i do think it should've been longer, and perhaps having a different translator / translation style.
this book is filled with triggers, heed all warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
2treads's review
challenging
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
—We are but shadows set on the canvas of this life, my Zeus... —Raul
—Everyone makes their own ship out of their lives and enters whichever ocean they want— José
There is something special in the way that Gala writes. It was present in The Black Cathedral and it is here as well. The almost disjointed prose does nothing to deter from the poignancy or poetry of the despair in which our main character exists.
Growing up in a macho society with a father that was vocally and physically a representation of the ideals of machismo culture, Raul could not truly express themself and claim their identity. Just like Cassandra of Troy, they are not believed and is cast as someone they are not, because of how they look and twisted societal expectations.
There is a certain intimacy in the way the nareator tells this story, as if they are speaking directly to us and wants us to be as engaged and immersed in Raul/Cassandra's existence. Weaved into this story is the pervasive anti-Blackness that exists within Latin communities.and how it presents in families.
From the very first encounter, you are gripped by the destiny of Raul, you feel the yearning to be free, even ass they carry and share the weight of the time and place of their demise. With vivid prose Gala makes his reader truly experience Raul Iriarte.
—Everyone makes their own ship out of their lives and enters whichever ocean they want— José
There is something special in the way that Gala writes. It was present in The Black Cathedral and it is here as well. The almost disjointed prose does nothing to deter from the poignancy or poetry of the despair in which our main character exists.
Growing up in a macho society with a father that was vocally and physically a representation of the ideals of machismo culture, Raul could not truly express themself and claim their identity. Just like Cassandra of Troy, they are not believed and is cast as someone they are not, because of how they look and twisted societal expectations.
There is a certain intimacy in the way the nareator tells this story, as if they are speaking directly to us and wants us to be as engaged and immersed in Raul/Cassandra's existence. Weaved into this story is the pervasive anti-Blackness that exists within Latin communities.and how it presents in families.
From the very first encounter, you are gripped by the destiny of Raul, you feel the yearning to be free, even ass they carry and share the weight of the time and place of their demise. With vivid prose Gala makes his reader truly experience Raul Iriarte.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Violence, and War