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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book is a masterpiece. It puts me in mind of some of the books by Gabriel García Márquez that I’ve enjoyed, but with a more modern twist and some Hunter S. Thompson vibes as well. The story takes place in San Diego over the course of one weekend, and follows the de-la-Cruz family through the funeral of their Matriarch (Mama Ameríca) and the birthday celebration of their Patriarch, Big Angel, who is dying of cancer himself. It’s an exploration of the family’s dynamic through their weekend-long celebration of life, through flashbacks to the days before and after they crossed the border to live in the United States, and through how they celebrate their heritage, hard work and sacrifice. It’s funny and sad and sobering and joyous and heartbreaking, and I highly recommend giving it a read.
3.5 stars. Funny, sad, some parts weird. Would read more of this author
Started off strong, but I grew weary by halfway through.
A Mexican-American story about love, forgiveness, grace, mortality, time-and-what-we-do with it. All the elements that actually make it a story about the human condition as experienced through one Mexican-American family. Enjoyed it.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this novel! It crackles with warmth and empathy. I laughed (many times). I cried (two or three times). Urrea writes with a poetic lyricism and warm sense of humor, even as he writes about death. The characters in the De La Cruz family come alive in the details, from the metal-loving "Satanic Hispanic" to the new matriarch Minnie, from the voluptuous "La Gloriosa" to the tragic, PTSD-addled Lalo. In just 320 pages, Urrea makes the storylines for his characters both believable and moving. The patriarch, Big Angel, is a flawed but ultimately good man trying to tie up loose ends while he still has time. I think the beauty of this book is that the Angels really aren't so broken. A lovely book.
Beautiful. An endearing family epic. I’m glad I read this at this point in my life.
Get a blank piece of paper and create a family tree when you start reading this book. You'll thank me later when you forget how everyone is related.
In many ways this book reminded me of "There There" by Tommy Orange. It was less about identity as There There, but gave me a glimpse into a culture that I otherwise would probably not see. It was also similar to There There in that it seemed clear at some point that the book was leading to a shooting at a celebration. Urrea's writing is not as good as Orange's, but is still fantastic.
I really enjoyed that all of the characters were flawed. There's not a "good" person in this entire book. Everyone is flawed, but for the most part tries to do what is right. The impending death of Angel, and the consequences of the bad decisions made by others, created a sense of dread and anxiety throughout the book.
In many ways this book reminded me of "There There" by Tommy Orange. It was less about identity as There There, but gave me a glimpse into a culture that I otherwise would probably not see. It was also similar to There There in that it seemed clear at some point that the book was leading to a shooting at a celebration. Urrea's writing is not as good as Orange's, but is still fantastic.
I really enjoyed that all of the characters were flawed. There's not a "good" person in this entire book. Everyone is flawed, but for the most part tries to do what is right. The impending death of Angel, and the consequences of the bad decisions made by others, created a sense of dread and anxiety throughout the book.
I listened to this book and I really liked it. It is the story of Big Angel and his extended family, as he reminisces during his mother's funeral and his own big birthday party.
It is a tale of death and family and the Mexican American experience as lived by this one family.
It is a tale of death and family and the Mexican American experience as lived by this one family.