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bibliobethica's review against another edition
4.0
A well written and surprising memoir. It amazes me that Díaz lived to tell her story. She had a rough life and came through it beautifully.
arcadio99's review against another edition
3.0
A powerful latinx coming of age story. The first 3 parts of the book I enjoyed, but they were sometimes hit or miss on me. The fourth and final part, I enjoyed the most for the way it was structure and written. The fourth part plays as multiple vignettes during Jaquira's adult days which connect back to earlier stories.
(listened to the audiobook)
(listened to the audiobook)
iamalways7012's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Ordinary Girls: A Memoir (2019) by Jaquira Díaz is a story for the seemingly powerless. I haven’t read nonfiction in a while, and this book brought me to become interested in the genre with how immersive the story is. Díaz recounts her life experiences, but her use of imagery and description transport you to right there next to her as the event plays out. This read was inspiring, with a message of taking the circumstances fate had brought you and striving for a better life. Reading this memoir was certainly entertaining, but emotional taxing as Díaz covers darker parts like sexual harassment when she was younger.
I would recommend for those who felt like they were handed the wrong cards since birth, "for the black and brown girls...For the wild girls and the party girls, the loudmouths and troublemakers. For the girls who are angry and lost. For the girls who never saw themselves in books. For the girls who love other girls, sometimes in secret," (Díaz 304) as Díaz represents and reaches out to all of these with comfort.
My one area of criticism would be related to the fact that there are many characters presented in Díaz's story; many of whom are mentioned only a couple of times. It is quite difficult to keep track of all these figures over the course of the memoir.
I would recommend for those who felt like they were handed the wrong cards since birth, "for the black and brown girls...For the wild girls and the party girls, the loudmouths and troublemakers. For the girls who are angry and lost. For the girls who never saw themselves in books. For the girls who love other girls, sometimes in secret," (Díaz 304) as Díaz represents and reaches out to all of these with comfort.
My one area of criticism would be related to the fact that there are many characters presented in Díaz's story; many of whom are mentioned only a couple of times. It is quite difficult to keep track of all these figures over the course of the memoir.
niniane's review against another edition
5.0
Riveting. It is inspiring to see how much the author went through already in her lifetime.
This book is far more interesting than "Educated".
The author is amazing at writing about heartbreaking situations, and imparting the power without overwhelming us.
This book is far more interesting than "Educated".
The author is amazing at writing about heartbreaking situations, and imparting the power without overwhelming us.
janetgraberdc's review against another edition
Very good book but I’m just stuck. Bad reading mojo.
caitlyn888's review against another edition
5.0
What a gripping memoir. Jaquira Diaz lived more life in her first 21 years than most people do in eighty. She overcame so many hardships - assimilating to American life after moving from Puerto Rico, living with an abusive mother who suffered from schizophrenia and addiction, and enduring poverty, rape, prison, and homophobia in the Navy. It's a truly remarkable tale that comments upon womanhood, American politics, racism, sexuality, and family.
romazizza's review against another edition
5.0
Third and final read for my creative writing class this semester… I’m so glad I read this book. Memoirs have always intrigued me as a genre, but I could never get over the nonfiction stigmas. Despite the other memoirs I read for this class, this one didn’t do any preaching about its writing style or gave tips on how to write better, but it simply told a story.
There was so much power and passion in Diaz’s story, it felt overwhelming at times. Due to an assignment, I read this book quickly in a short 3 days, fitting in pages between classes. But it was also an insanely addicting read. Her life is so incredibly complex and honestly kinda insane. It’s amazing to see how people can live multiple lives before finally getting to the one where they feel comfortable and can live their truth. The themes in this book are intense (violence, drugs, SA), so if any of that bothers you, I strongly advise to watch out before reading, as these things are discussed in graphic detail.
Such a beautifully heartbreaking glimpse into the life of a young woman who is battling her identity, something that anyone can relate to.
There was so much power and passion in Diaz’s story, it felt overwhelming at times. Due to an assignment, I read this book quickly in a short 3 days, fitting in pages between classes. But it was also an insanely addicting read. Her life is so incredibly complex and honestly kinda insane. It’s amazing to see how people can live multiple lives before finally getting to the one where they feel comfortable and can live their truth. The themes in this book are intense (violence, drugs, SA), so if any of that bothers you, I strongly advise to watch out before reading, as these things are discussed in graphic detail.
Such a beautifully heartbreaking glimpse into the life of a young woman who is battling her identity, something that anyone can relate to.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
This story was gut-wrenching and heartfelt portrait of a girl growing up. I'm so glad I read it.