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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
dark
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is. very heavy. if you are considering reading this please look at the content warnings. that being said. it is somewhat hopeful. a testament to a bond between brothers. i'm conflicted whether or not to dislike the language for its simplicity. on one hand, it reads as overly childish on occasion (works well in earlier chapters when the brothers are young, but over time it seems more telling than showing). on the other, who am i to fault a man for looking back at incredibly painful childhood experiences, and laying the facts of his life out?
an english major, i guess.
loved the dichos as testament to daniel's mind and behavior and also just unique
rounded up to 3.5, was debating btwn that and 3.25.
NOTE: i own the uncorrected proof, no idea what's changed between this and published copies.
an english major, i guess.
loved the dichos as testament to daniel's mind and behavior and also just unique
rounded up to 3.5, was debating btwn that and 3.25.
NOTE: i own the uncorrected proof, no idea what's changed between this and published copies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Blood
Minor: Child death
A beautiful tribute to the author's brother. [b: Pedro & Daniel|62675032|Pedro & Daniel|Federico Erebia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665075722l/62675032._SY75_.jpg|96316745] is a moving portrait of enduring familial love. The novel carefully explores difficult themes of child abuse, sexual exploitation by the Catholic church, and the tragedy of the AIDS pandemic. Each beat hits hard but reflects thoughtfully on the lived experience that inspired these fictional accounts.
I was lucky enough to pick up a signed copy at East End Books in Boston. Honored to have read Erebia's story, and I'm looking forward to his graphic novel!
I was lucky enough to pick up a signed copy at East End Books in Boston. Honored to have read Erebia's story, and I'm looking forward to his graphic novel!
This book was especially interesting to read after meeting the author at the NCTE conference in 2023. I don't often read books that span that much time of a character's life, so that was unique.
This is a beautiful and heartbreaking novel that will stay with me for a long time.
Whew. This book is emotionally draining, much as I imagine it was for the author. I hope he experienced catharsis while writing what is essentially a memoir with fictional aspects.
Content warning is crucial before you read this achingly raw and layered book. The author provided: Domestic violence, child abuse, homophobia, colorism, racism, clergy abuse, suicidality, sex, and death. I would add AIDS in there as well for those that may have experienced the painful loss of loved ones and the memory of the 80s/90s.
I initially had a hard time getting into Pedro and Daniel because of the relentlessly cruel abuse at the hand of a parent. I also kept confusing the two main characters as the first person narration shifted quickly. So this book took me longer than usual.
This is a very important LGBTQ story and it’s actually a gift to provide such young children’s POV evolving through their adolescence, 20s, and finally 30s. We get to really know Pedro and Daniel as full characters. This novel is ultimately about their relationship as brothers and how they held close to each other through pain, growth, eventual sexuality reveal, and becoming true friends with much in common during their adult years. And no one truly understands your past like a sibling.
I had a much easier time reading as they got older and able to physically free themselves from the varied abuse that held them down through the years. Emotional freeing is a whole other issue. Do we ever really get over those traumatic childhood scars from our formative years?
I recommend this book very much, but please pay attention to the aforementioned content warning. Thank you to NetGalley, Levine Querido, and the author Federico Erebia for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content warning is crucial before you read this achingly raw and layered book. The author provided: Domestic violence, child abuse, homophobia, colorism, racism, clergy abuse, suicidality, sex, and death. I would add AIDS in there as well for those that may have experienced the painful loss of loved ones and the memory of the 80s/90s.
I initially had a hard time getting into Pedro and Daniel because of the relentlessly cruel abuse at the hand of a parent. I also kept confusing the two main characters as the first person narration shifted quickly. So this book took me longer than usual.
This is a very important LGBTQ story and it’s actually a gift to provide such young children’s POV evolving through their adolescence, 20s, and finally 30s. We get to really know Pedro and Daniel as full characters. This novel is ultimately about their relationship as brothers and how they held close to each other through pain, growth, eventual sexuality reveal, and becoming true friends with much in common during their adult years. And no one truly understands your past like a sibling.
I had a much easier time reading as they got older and able to physically free themselves from the varied abuse that held them down through the years. Emotional freeing is a whole other issue. Do we ever really get over those traumatic childhood scars from our formative years?
I recommend this book very much, but please pay attention to the aforementioned content warning. Thank you to NetGalley, Levine Querido, and the author Federico Erebia for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Utterly phenomenal and unique in tone and format. I read it in one sitting, and I'm still thinking about it. I don't know how I could summarize it, but here's the Booklist review. The only thing I wished it mentioned is neurodivergence:
"Pedro and Daniel are brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio who share an everlasting bond. From a young age, they endure the hardships tied to abuse, colorism, homophobia, and generational trauma from not only their mother but also the rest of the world. These experiences shape them throughout their adolescence and into adulthood as they navigate school, relationships, coming out, and the AIDS epidemic. Though as adults their lives take them down different paths, they find that the love that they have for each other is as special as it was years ago. This is a beautiful and raw story of two Mexican American boys trying to survive in a world where they only have each other to rely on. Erebia uses lyrical prose coupled with dichos, or proverbs, to capture the reader from the first page. With alternating viewpoints that tell the heartbreaking and sometimes happy moments throughout Pedro’s and Daniel’s lives, readers will find themselves unable to put this book down. A powerful coming-of-age story, Erebia’s debut is a title that is unforgettable."
"Pedro and Daniel are brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio who share an everlasting bond. From a young age, they endure the hardships tied to abuse, colorism, homophobia, and generational trauma from not only their mother but also the rest of the world. These experiences shape them throughout their adolescence and into adulthood as they navigate school, relationships, coming out, and the AIDS epidemic. Though as adults their lives take them down different paths, they find that the love that they have for each other is as special as it was years ago. This is a beautiful and raw story of two Mexican American boys trying to survive in a world where they only have each other to rely on. Erebia uses lyrical prose coupled with dichos, or proverbs, to capture the reader from the first page. With alternating viewpoints that tell the heartbreaking and sometimes happy moments throughout Pedro’s and Daniel’s lives, readers will find themselves unable to put this book down. A powerful coming-of-age story, Erebia’s debut is a title that is unforgettable."
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The first part up to high school was slow and painful. Their mother was horrible. The commadres were horrible in both inciting their mother and then ignoring the resulting abuse.
The story moved faster once the boys reached high school and adulthood.
I had to be careful when I listened to this so that I wouldn't go into a room of friends with red eyes from crying.
I will relisten starting tomorrow.
The story moved faster once the boys reached high school and adulthood.
I had to be careful when I listened to this so that I wouldn't go into a room of friends with red eyes from crying.
I will relisten starting tomorrow.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated