dave37's review against another edition
4.0
Lyrical, while still grounded in the everyday realities of life in rural Mexico in the late 1800s. Magical, yet paying equal tribute to the miracles of nature that surround us each day. I really enjoyed this one, and could have easily read another 500 pages about these characters.
jennshelfishlife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
paulataua's review against another edition
3.0
Beautifully written and an interesting story, but not one that said much to me. I felt it won me over on prose, but lost me on content. I just wanted it to get a move on. Many of the events on route didn’t add much and a slimmer version might have been better appreciated.
mcsayegh's review against another edition
5.0
I had picked this book up a few times and couldn't get into it, but the 3rd time was the charm. Urrea is an extraordinary storyteller and this is a grand, sweeping tale filled with humor, magical realism, love and loss.
redroofcolleen's review against another edition
5.0
I first saw this book, rather appropriately, in a shop window in Santa Fe. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover. I bought it as soon as I got home, though I hardly knew anything about it. I just had a feeling. Thankfully, my intuition didn’t let me down. The Hummingbird’s Daughter is a fantastic story of knowledge, power, faith, family, and healing. It is also a story of Mexico, steeped in history, wonderful food, cowboys, outlaws, and corrupt government officials.
Luis Alberto Urrea has written a grand story based on the life of his great Aunt Teresita. It is a wonderful tale of a woman achieving knowledge about her own gifts as well as the pain and power that accompanies such an endeavor, for Teresita’s gifts aren’t of the pedestrian variety. They are miracles and mysteries, the kind that illicit the distrust of the government and devotion of the masses.
As we watch Teresita grow up, learning the ways of the curandera, we also watch Mexico change. There are new people and new ways of living: some of which are simple, like the difference between a corn tortilla and wheat, others undermine and uproot all that has been known - like the simple dusty life in small rural towns.
It is part history, part fairy tale, and entirely absorbing and interesting. I learned much about our neighbor to the south while also exploring what it means to have incredible faith and devotion. As someone who is deeply spiritual but hardly religious, I enjoyed learning about the Mexican traditions that combine a bit of mysticism with Catholicism.
Thankfully, too, the text is beautifully crafted - easy to read, full of humor and wit, very easy on the eyes.
Luis Alberto Urrea has written a grand story based on the life of his great Aunt Teresita. It is a wonderful tale of a woman achieving knowledge about her own gifts as well as the pain and power that accompanies such an endeavor, for Teresita’s gifts aren’t of the pedestrian variety. They are miracles and mysteries, the kind that illicit the distrust of the government and devotion of the masses.
As we watch Teresita grow up, learning the ways of the curandera, we also watch Mexico change. There are new people and new ways of living: some of which are simple, like the difference between a corn tortilla and wheat, others undermine and uproot all that has been known - like the simple dusty life in small rural towns.
It is part history, part fairy tale, and entirely absorbing and interesting. I learned much about our neighbor to the south while also exploring what it means to have incredible faith and devotion. As someone who is deeply spiritual but hardly religious, I enjoyed learning about the Mexican traditions that combine a bit of mysticism with Catholicism.
Thankfully, too, the text is beautifully crafted - easy to read, full of humor and wit, very easy on the eyes.
redroofcolleen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
debbiecuddy's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book interesting, but confusing at times. My confusion was due to my lack of knowledge about Mexican history...why didn't we learn more about Mexico in school???
The author based this work of historical fiction on one of his ancestors, Teresita, commonly called "The Saint of Cabora" and it takes place in the years leading up to the Mexican revolution. The story is beautifully told and parts were deeply moving.
The author based this work of historical fiction on one of his ancestors, Teresita, commonly called "The Saint of Cabora" and it takes place in the years leading up to the Mexican revolution. The story is beautifully told and parts were deeply moving.
tbsims's review against another edition
2.0
Lovely. If you like GG Marquez and I Allende, which i do, you'll enjoy.
wyeager's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0