Reviews

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz

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jencunn2024's review against another edition

5.0

This is a fantastic novel constructed in Dominican Spanglish. And the structure is unique as well! Green card immigrant Cara Romero is visiting an unemployment benefits counselor for 12 sessions. In each session she tells stories from her present-day life as well as her past that has brought her to where she is now. In each session, she reveals her personal stories and thoughts and adventures and victories and losses and more. Author Angie Cruz has done a fantastic job of letting the reader get to know Cara as well as some of the intricacies and relationships involved in the lives Dominicana-Americans. As a reader, I was humored by Cara’s vulnerabilities, imperfections, self-confidence and outlook. She is an has an endearing and intelligent naïveté with all the experience of someone who has fought through life for what she has and expresses humble gratitude even for the smallest things, while at the same time grumbling about feeling under appreciated and not recognized for her valuable skills and experience. This story is sad and heartwarming and funny and filled with love and small ambitions. Highly recommend. Great story. Great characters, especially the narrator, Cara Romero. I loved this!

novelnopalito's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

5.0

breboom450's review

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-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

kendragaylelee's review against another edition

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5.0

I adored this audiobook so much. I kept telling people about it: people in the bookstore, people that live in my house, employees at the store, anyone that would hold still really.

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water is about gentrification, globalization, immigration, community, friendship, depression, growth. I learned so many things about Dominican culture in Washington Heights. But at the same time, it was like listening to someone's Nana tell a story. It felt familiar and wildly different. It made me laugh and think. I felt a whole, wide range of emotions listening to this one. But mostly I felt a deep affinity for Cara Romero, even though I knew she was deeply flawed (and probably not easy to live with). I loved her anyway.

When the book finally wound to a close, I felt satisfied that Cara Romero would go on, that she would be fine, really. But I will miss her telling me her stories.

kendragaylelee's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book just as much in the print version as I did when I listened to the audio book.

I can't recommend it highly enough. Either version is a win. Just don't miss out on it.