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readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I do really like the topics Garcia wanted to tackle, the relationships between women and cycles of abuse and I completely agree with the author that there is no “one” immigrant story in her short interview with Roxane Gay but I think she really needs to re-examine how she writes non white characters and characters her Mexican and Cuban family don’t fit into since those characters suffered the most. I do really like that she wrote about racism and classism in Mexico and the resentments between different Latino groups even if again that sometimes felt clunky. I especially loved the Cuban families divided less by borders and more by interpersonal issues and with very different and strong political opinions.
Graphic: Classism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Racism, Violence, War, Chronic illness, Grief, Death, Deportation, Self harm, Child abuse, Infidelity, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Cancer, Misogyny, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
metamorfosa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Racism
briannad4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Death, Drug abuse, and Deportation
saboyer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And the empathetic, powerful, nuanced and yet so simplistic look at refugees.
“That there are no real rules that govern why some are born in turmoil and others never know a single day in which the next seems an ill-considered bet. It’s all lottery, Ana, all chance. It’s the flick of a coin, and we are born.”
What a sad, beautiful book. And how sad we won’t do better for the people around us.
And speaking of salt: I can’t believe a book like American Dirt is more popular than something as beautiful as this.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
indydc's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Murder, Violence, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Deportation, Addiction, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Cancer
d0505's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Deportation, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, Terminal illness, and Animal death
anolis210's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction and Domestic abuse
sassylk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Deportation, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Trafficking
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
inlaraland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This short historical-fiction novel packs a punch. With about 200 pages, Gabriela Garcia knits a patchwork of stories from the various female characters (set in different timelines) and weaves a moving tale that discusses the pain of suffering under political struggle, immigration, loss, and addiction. There is an emphasis on generational trauma, which is told through the relationships between the mothers and daughters in this novel. The narrative isn't quite linear, and each chapter reads more like a short story. However, when it all comes together in the end, you feel the heavyweight of emotion that author has been building from the first chapter. This book will challenge your perception and remind you of privileges that most people can easily take for granted. I didn't anticipate giving this book such a high rating when I first started reading, but the breathtaking writing and gut wrenching story is one I consider a favorite.
If you've enjoyed "Pachinko" and "The Mountains Sing" then I think you'll really like this one!
Graphic: Addiction and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Cancer
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
thereadingmaven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse