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schray32's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking story about mental illness and the love of sisters. I thought the different narrators throughout the book added a lot of perspective to each character.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Two sisters moved at a very young age from China to America with just their mother and through hard work and grit they found the American dream. Miranda is the older sister and when their mother passed away she became the protector of her sister, Lucia. Neither sister remembers their fathers death, but it greatly impacted their lives. When Lucia starts battling mental illness, Miranda basically puts her life on hold to put her sister and their family first.
This book was completely about the sister relationship and how unique it is. These sisters must really rely on each other without any extended family around; they must keep each other close in the good and bad times. Yes, there was definitely some interesting cultural things because these women are Chinese-American, but that was just a minor compared to the major dissection of the sister relationship that this book did.
Two sisters moved at a very young age from China to America with just their mother and through hard work and grit they found the American dream. Miranda is the older sister and when their mother passed away she became the protector of her sister, Lucia. Neither sister remembers their fathers death, but it greatly impacted their lives. When Lucia starts battling mental illness, Miranda basically puts her life on hold to put her sister and their family first.
This book was completely about the sister relationship and how unique it is. These sisters must really rely on each other without any extended family around; they must keep each other close in the good and bad times. Yes, there was definitely some interesting cultural things because these women are Chinese-American, but that was just a minor compared to the major dissection of the sister relationship that this book did.
ahpotts's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written, encompassing multiple POV as we consider the central character’s mental illness. Which parts are her? Which parts are her illness? How do those who love her negotiate loving her vs protecting her - and from what? This came to me recommended by my sister & just after a trip to Ecuador, so that may also have influenced my experience, but I was definitely drawn in to the slowly unfolding quiet family drama of the novel.
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, a tale of two sisters one of who and has a serious mental illness and the trajectory of their lives and how they stay connected.
noooootalie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I was super excited to read a book with diverse characters written by an Asian author, but I ended up kinda disappointed as I read. The storyline was sooooo slow up until the very end, and even then I didn't feel like getting through the long build-up was worth it. In some books, a slow build-up to a realistic, semi-dissatisfying ending still feels worth it, but this one just felt painful and I was sad at the end of it.
I will say though, this book's redeeming quality was its representation of what it's like to love and care for someone with a severe mental illness, as well as to be that person with the mental illness. I think I just wish the pacing was a little different.
I will say though, this book's redeeming quality was its representation of what it's like to love and care for someone with a severe mental illness, as well as to be that person with the mental illness. I think I just wish the pacing was a little different.
kdowli01's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
tensy's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting character study of a young woman, Lucia, who has a lifelong battle with mental illness and the people she loves. The novel is written from several points of view, Lucia's, her sister's, her lovers and there are beautiful atmospheric descriptions of the cities she lives in. I liked the characters, especially Yonah, and appreciated that most of them were flawed in some way. I also admired that Lucia had her own voice which required me to reflect on whether a person managing mental illness has the right to make their own decisions. This is a quiet family drama about the ties that bind us, but there are more than a few cliffhangers that will keep you riveted as you wait to see what will happen next to Lucia and her family. I really enjoyed the audio version and the ensemble cast did an excellent job of portraying each character.
chlslnbd10's review against another edition
5.0
This book follows the stories of several characters. There’s Miranda. Lucia. Yonah. Manuel. Esperanza. Miranda is the big sister, protective of her little sister. She promised her mother who was on her death bed, that she’d protect Lucia and she tries so hard. Lucia, the little sister, has schizophrenia. When she takes her pills, she’s okay. When she doesn’t, Miranda has to step in. Lucia marries Yonah and all is fine until she has a schizophrenic episode and ends up in a mental hospital. She recovers and leaves Yonah. Meets Manuel. They end up having a baby: Esperanza. Life is good until it isn’t.
I found this book to be a very good representation of mental health. Schizophrenia is so misunderstood and I appreciate that Lee didn’t portray Lucia as this psychotic woman who wants to kill everyone. Miranda’s character is neurotic and mistrusts everything Lucia says. I understand she wants to protect her, but as the synopsis says, only Lucia can decide when to truly get help. The ending was heartbreaking. I felt so sorry for Miranda. It was a raw portrayal of how mental illness affects not only the person afflicted with the illness but also their family and friends.
I enjoyed the author’s choice to change up who was narrating the story. We get to see the same “scene” from at least two viewpoints and it truly changes the way you experience the events of the book. In the beginning, this is a story of the bond between sisters but it transforms into so much more than that and it was absolutely beautiful.
I found this book to be a very good representation of mental health. Schizophrenia is so misunderstood and I appreciate that Lee didn’t portray Lucia as this psychotic woman who wants to kill everyone. Miranda’s character is neurotic and mistrusts everything Lucia says. I understand she wants to protect her, but as the synopsis says, only Lucia can decide when to truly get help. The ending was heartbreaking. I felt so sorry for Miranda. It was a raw portrayal of how mental illness affects not only the person afflicted with the illness but also their family and friends.
I enjoyed the author’s choice to change up who was narrating the story. We get to see the same “scene” from at least two viewpoints and it truly changes the way you experience the events of the book. In the beginning, this is a story of the bond between sisters but it transforms into so much more than that and it was absolutely beautiful.