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canton24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, what a book! We get to see Ana’s coming of age when, at just 15, she’s married to a man twice her age and whisked to America. But she rises to become her own person, showing determination and resilience. Read it in a day.
storeytale's review against another edition
5.0
Multiple layers such as the immigrant experience and child marriage. Loved it!
ankatriendr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
patdg's review against another edition
4.0
Both engaging and heartfelt, Ana’s story was a glimpse in to a migrant pursuit of the ‘American dream’. This is a good for those who want to know more about minority struggles and assimilation in to a new culture. I also liked Cruz’s writing style and the way she developed Ana’s character as the book went along.
erindoublee's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a lovely story of triumph and endurance. Ana's immigration story to New York City from the Dominican Republic sometimes felt like non-fiction. Each chapter was short, which is appropriate because of the heaviness of the subject the author took on with this book. Also, if you do not like a book without quotations for dialogue, be aware this does not have any.
Trigger warning: there is domestic and sexual abuse in this novel.
Ana was fifteen when urged by Ana's mother to marry the much older Juan, who frequently traveled back and forth from New York City to the Dominican Republic. The thought of leaving her home is bittersweet, but Ana knows this opportunity will help her large family. The dream is to have her entire family safe in the United States eventually.
Ana and Juan navigate their newly married life, and times are hard; Ana adjusts and eventually finds her voice through much heartache. She finds herself pregnant and thrilled to become a mother. The story is harrowing, heartbreaking, gripping, and a true coming-of-age story.
Trigger warning: there is domestic and sexual abuse in this novel.
Ana was fifteen when urged by Ana's mother to marry the much older Juan, who frequently traveled back and forth from New York City to the Dominican Republic. The thought of leaving her home is bittersweet, but Ana knows this opportunity will help her large family. The dream is to have her entire family safe in the United States eventually.
Ana and Juan navigate their newly married life, and times are hard; Ana adjusts and eventually finds her voice through much heartache. She finds herself pregnant and thrilled to become a mother. The story is harrowing, heartbreaking, gripping, and a true coming-of-age story.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
In the tumultuous 1960's, Ana at age 15 marries Juan who is more than twice her age, mostly because he can bring her with him to New York City. Ana leaves her family in the Dominican Republic to begin a new life in America. She feels very much isolated since she doesn't know the language and doesn't have friends. It also doesn't help that her husband doesn't want her learning English, going to school or earning money. Ana feels unsettled and unhappy in her new life.
This reminded me of [b:A Woman Is No Man|34313931|A Woman Is No Man|Etaf Rum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533072101l/34313931._SY75_.jpg|55370568] in several ways. I liked both books although they both told less than happy stories about young immigrant women pretty much controlled by their husbands. They both give you a lot of things to think about.
What to Listen to While Reading (or on a reading break):
A Playlist by the author on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25Tg4dx27yhesiHONucBhM?si=My0Wpc_-SUqOhpGdOkQ3Kg
Besame Mucho by Connie Francis
Watermelon Man by Mongo Santamaria
This reminded me of [b:A Woman Is No Man|34313931|A Woman Is No Man|Etaf Rum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533072101l/34313931._SY75_.jpg|55370568] in several ways. I liked both books although they both told less than happy stories about young immigrant women pretty much controlled by their husbands. They both give you a lot of things to think about.
What to Listen to While Reading (or on a reading break):
A Playlist by the author on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25Tg4dx27yhesiHONucBhM?si=My0Wpc_-SUqOhpGdOkQ3Kg
Besame Mucho by Connie Francis
Watermelon Man by Mongo Santamaria
fbroom's review against another edition
5.0
The story of 15 year old Ana who moves to America in 1965 when Juan Ruiz proposes who was twice her age at the time. She leaves behind her classmate who she was attracted to. The marriage was an opportunity for her family to finally move and make a good life in America.
Anna becomes miserable. Life is actually hard in America. Juan is abusive. She spends her days cleaning and cooking for the Ruiz brothers. One day she decides to leave especially after a bad night with Juan choking her really hard. The younger brother Cesar sees her at the bus stop and convinces her to stay. On the way she faints and we discover that she is pregnant.
We see Political unrest and turmoil meanwhile in Dominicana forcing Juan to return back to check on their family assets but he discovers that his eldest brother had depleted whatever the younger 3 brothers saved so he stays even longer. Juan's departure is a great opportunity for Anna. She can finally breath. She starts taking classes. She goes out with Cesar who she grew to love. She starts cooking and selling his baked goods to Cesar's friends. Life is finally looking good.
Eventually we see that Cesar is also falling for Anna. They both are in love and decide that Anna must leave Juan for him. The have a plan to go to New Jersey to start a new life. Unfortunately, Juan returns and tells Anna that her family are finally coming to America. Anna now has to choose between the two.
Anna becomes miserable. Life is actually hard in America. Juan is abusive. She spends her days cleaning and cooking for the Ruiz brothers. One day she decides to leave especially after a bad night with Juan choking her really hard. The younger brother Cesar sees her at the bus stop and convinces her to stay. On the way she faints and we discover that she is pregnant.
We see Political unrest and turmoil meanwhile in Dominicana forcing Juan to return back to check on their family assets but he discovers that his eldest brother had depleted whatever the younger 3 brothers saved so he stays even longer. Juan's departure is a great opportunity for Anna. She can finally breath. She starts taking classes. She goes out with Cesar who she grew to love. She starts cooking and selling his baked goods to Cesar's friends. Life is finally looking good.
Eventually we see that Cesar is also falling for Anna. They both are in love and decide that Anna must leave Juan for him. The have a plan to go to New Jersey to start a new life. Unfortunately, Juan returns and tells Anna that her family are finally coming to America. Anna now has to choose between the two.