Scan barcode
rosepoints's review against another edition
2.0
let me start with the positive: the author's writing style is vivacious and drew me in right away. here are some of my favorite lines: "sun child, hair permanently whisked by wind, you were happy once." and "something greater than themselves swam in their blood; this would be their war." i can see why others wouldn't like it but the style was gorgeous and i really enjoyed it.
however, the writing style alone does not make up for the disparate collection of short stories that comprise this novel. even though each story and character is supposed to be intertwined with each other, i felt like they were so disconnected. i personally don't mind non-linear narratives; i didn't mind it in a similar intergenerational saga like celeste ng's. however, the characters' interactions with each other are minimal and dry and given the brevity of the book, the number of characters ultimately detracted from the quality of the plot.
i also felt like ana and her mother were ancillary to the plot, serving only to uphold jeannette's role in the story and to include a short story on deportation on ice. if you took them out of the novel, it wouldn't have changed a single thing about the ending. instead, i think it would've been more interesting to focus solely on the family from cuba, delving more deeply into cuba's history and the traumas in their family. also, i'm sure that the author didn't mean to do it, but there are some paragraphs where it just seems like she's upholding the narrative that addicts can't be cured, and that's not super great.
finally, i would heed the warnings about sexual abuse and assault. it is a common narrative throughout the book and i wasn't expecting it to be that prevalent.
altogether, i would still look forward to seeing what other books gabriela garcia writes in the future since i think she has a lot of potential, but this novel was a miss for me personally.
however, the writing style alone does not make up for the disparate collection of short stories that comprise this novel. even though each story and character is supposed to be intertwined with each other, i felt like they were so disconnected. i personally don't mind non-linear narratives; i didn't mind it in a similar intergenerational saga like celeste ng's. however, the characters' interactions with each other are minimal and dry and given the brevity of the book, the number of characters ultimately detracted from the quality of the plot.
i also felt like ana and her mother were ancillary to the plot, serving only to uphold jeannette's role in the story and to include a short story on deportation on ice. if you took them out of the novel, it wouldn't have changed a single thing about the ending. instead, i think it would've been more interesting to focus solely on the family from cuba, delving more deeply into cuba's history and the traumas in their family. also, i'm sure that the author didn't mean to do it, but there are some paragraphs where it just seems like she's upholding the narrative that addicts can't be cured, and that's not super great.
finally, i would heed the warnings about sexual abuse and assault. it is a common narrative throughout the book and i wasn't expecting it to be that prevalent.
altogether, i would still look forward to seeing what other books gabriela garcia writes in the future since i think she has a lot of potential, but this novel was a miss for me personally.
goosetheo's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
- 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
4.25
libby_l96's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alondrita's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
What a beautiful book and intense reading experience. This entire book and the intertwined stories of these women left me speechless, in tears and deeply moved. The author's writing style was amazing, as well. I can't recommend this book enough!
jennjennsan's review against another edition
5.0
Coming from a family of immigrants, of stories and secrets untold and never shared, lives passed and stories that are buried, family from Cuba and Puerto Rico and the first hand struggle of my mother an immigrant, my husband from Mexico, of friends and family members addicted; this book touched me and hit me harder than I expected. Thank you for this. What a vivid story, how easily our lives grow apart because of pain and experiences. Very well written and one I couldn’t put down.
webbhkg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.0
julietrose13's review against another edition
3.75
this was really so moving and tragic. it wasn't so much enjoyable as just so deep and emotional. the interwoven stories of these women across decades were so interesting. i don't really have much to say about it overall. would recommend it solely for how meaningful it is.