Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

42 reviews

readbycarina's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Blood, War, Misogyny, Death, and Abandonment

Minor: Police brutality, Grief, and Body shaming

theinkwyrm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I find myself in the somewhat unique position of realizing that this is an objectively well-written book (for the most part-some of the flashbacks didn’t really feel cohesive with the narrative, but it wasn’t so bad as to detract from the overall quality of the book) but one that I probably wouldn’t ever pick up again because of how negative the book felt and would have some hesitations about recommending to others. This book dealt with some pretty heavy topics across the board that were  difficult to read about at times, but I think the author handled them well and in a way that felt respectful of these characters, but also unflinchingly realistic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Rape

Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, and Infidelity

Minor: Incest

torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This book took me a bit to get into but once I was in, I was in all the way. Ana grows so much during the course of the book, which begins in the Dominican Republic but quickly takes her journey to Washington Heights. There are some really lovely passages that depict different things - one of my favorites essentially shows her disassociation in the wake of receiving tragic news after experiencing a series of traumas. Another fascinating chapter discusses the challenges faced by Dominicans in the US during the Civil Rights movement, and the idea that black people would resent Dominicans or perhaps feel that they had the market cornered on oppression and prejudice. I felt like the novel really highlighted the strength of its protagonist Ana’s spirit, the complicated dynamics between mother and daughter, and the very mixed feelings Ana has for almost every person she consistently interacts with, particularly her abusive husband, Juan, whom she feels both a strong loathing but also indebted to. Ana’s voice in particular felt very authentic and real to me and is the reason this book was so powerful, in my mind. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Medical content, and Misogyny

Moderate: Fatphobia

Minor: Ableism, Deportation, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Miscarriage, Violence, Vomit, War, Excrement, and Xenophobia

caseycdelima's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism

Minor: Sexual content

vale_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Racism, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Rape, and Misogyny

Moderate: Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship

Minor: War

catsandbookspluspup's review against another edition

challenging sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual harassment, War, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

angiepoggi's review against another edition

Books should come with trigger warnings. I was not prepared to enter into a story with such explict abuse. After reading a spoiler review, I don't think this book will do me any good nor will it bring me any new things. I was a immigrant and I am a child of immigrants, I appreciate this story being told, but I will not finish this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexism, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Infidelity

libre_coffeeandpages's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Personally, this story was a SOLID 4 stars. I couldn’t put it down and literally finished it in a single sitting. My heart really ached for the protagonist, and I instantly appreciated the fact that I picked up this book. The only reason why I didn’t give it 5 stars was because the prose weren’t as spellbinding as I normally prefer. Given the story and the leading lady though, I don’t know how else it could’ve been, but that was just my reaction after letting the story settle for a bit. Dominicana is insightful, inspirational, and an emotional piece. I really recommend it for those that enjoy novels inspired by real stories, anyone that has an interest in immigration or immigrant stories, or perhaps someone looking to alleviate some of their own pains through shared trauma experience in stories. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault

Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, and Racism

Minor: Violence and Death

bookhookedheather's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

Such an important representation of the Dominican immigrant experience in the US.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Violence

Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Death, Grief, Incest, Gun violence, War, Alcohol, Child death, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Car accident, Colonisation, Excrement, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Vomit, Ableism, Abortion, Antisemitism, and Drug use

Smoking. Strangulation/suffocation. Colorism, antiblackness.