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khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
jayisreading's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I have mixed opinions about this one. On the one hand, I truly appreciated Gonzalez’s deep exploration the United States’ colonization of Puerto Rico and its impact. It’s crucial to learn about the country’s role as a colonial empire today, and Gonzalez went in. It was also interesting to see the way she laid out the complexities of family relationships (an understatement, to say the least, especially with all that emotional abuse). Ultimately, it was the political component of the book that I found the most engaging and thought-provoking.
On the other hand, I thought there was way too much happening in one book. There were a lot of themes and subplots to keep track of, and these sometimes buried the main plot (and it was hard to figure out what that even was at times). More than anything, though, I took issue with how Gonzalez handled AIDS and HIV, as well as rape and sexual assault. They lacked nuance, likely because there were too many moving parts. She glossed over these matters that require sensitivity if they’re ever a part of the story. Also, I need to give a major warning of rape and sexual assault towards the end of the book. This particular section really frustrated me, because I felt it wasn’t needed at all and read like a plot device.
The situation is complex when it comes to recommending this book, and I hesitantly will, solely because of how well Gonzalez addressed colonialism and the fight for Puerto Rico’s liberation. This book could have been two books to better manage all the topics covered. Perhaps the needed nuances would be there, but it’s admittedly hard to say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Abortion
redwrapped's review
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
This is one of the books that I can see being touted as a strong contender for awards honoring the American experience and for best debut novel, and rightfully so, due to the breadth of unflinching honesty woven throughout Olga Dies Dreaming.
Olga Acevedo is an American woman facing the internal struggle that so many feel, to be seen as she sees herself, yet Olga isn't necessarily sure of who she is or to whom her loyalty is strongest. She has lived her entire life in Brooklyn and feels American, but her family hails from Puerto Rico. She feels alienated by the rich, white WASP clientele she serves as an elite wedding planner, and is crucially separated by distance and emotional warmth toward her mother.
Her mother, Blanca, left Olga, her brother Prieto, and their father behind in Brooklyn to try to embolden and free Puerto Rico from the United States through revolutionary action, becoming a fugitive for terroristic ties and disappearing entirely except for barbed, critical letters sent to her family members, guiding them what to do. Blanca's dedication to the cause is stronger than to her children or her marriage.
The theme circulates around love and all the complexities of it: love for your country, love for family, love for life, and love for someone new. Despite how heavy and political it can be, the tone is never cynical, but made up of hope and resilience, and that adds a tender sort of strength to each of the love stories in here.
While reading this, I was compelled to read about the history of Puerto Rican resistance and mainland America's lack of aid or respect toward the archipelago. My viewpoint toward statehood or the United States relinquishing control over Puerto Rico has been altered, due to the compelling argument in this book and for the fact it drove me to independently research the toll and fundamental inadequacies that Puerto Rico faces due to its indeterminate status as a territory and not as a state with the level of protective measures for emergency aid as another state would have, usage of natural resources for electricity, etc.
Thanks to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Olga Acevedo is an American woman facing the internal struggle that so many feel, to be seen as she sees herself, yet Olga isn't necessarily sure of who she is or to whom her loyalty is strongest. She has lived her entire life in Brooklyn and feels American, but her family hails from Puerto Rico. She feels alienated by the rich, white WASP clientele she serves as an elite wedding planner, and is crucially separated by distance and emotional warmth toward her mother.
Her mother, Blanca, left Olga, her brother Prieto, and their father behind in Brooklyn to try to embolden and free Puerto Rico from the United States through revolutionary action, becoming a fugitive for terroristic ties and disappearing entirely except for barbed, critical letters sent to her family members, guiding them what to do. Blanca's dedication to the cause is stronger than to her children or her marriage.
The theme circulates around love and all the complexities of it: love for your country, love for family, love for life, and love for someone new. Despite how heavy and political it can be, the tone is never cynical, but made up of hope and resilience, and that adds a tender sort of strength to each of the love stories in here.
While reading this, I was compelled to read about the history of Puerto Rican resistance and mainland America's lack of aid or respect toward the archipelago. My viewpoint toward statehood or the United States relinquishing control over Puerto Rico has been altered, due to the compelling argument in this book and for the fact it drove me to independently research the toll and fundamental inadequacies that Puerto Rico faces due to its indeterminate status as a territory and not as a state with the level of protective measures for emergency aid as another state would have, usage of natural resources for electricity, etc.
Thanks to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Cancer, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Homophobia, Gaslighting, and Drug abuse
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