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serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
The Things We Didn’t Know is a complex coming of age-story. Early in the novel 9 year old Andrea and her brother Pablo are taken from their Massachusetts home to Puerto Rico by their mother who effectively abandons them to the care of her family before their father is contacted and arrives to take them back to Massachusetts. This novel was a success for me on many levels - a strong female character to get behind; complex and complicated family dynamics some of which were loving and supportive, while others were controlling or neglectful; strong and engaging writing; its exploration of many interesting and important themes - racism, the pressure of parental expectations, identity and belonging, sexism and gender roles, homophobia, differing cultural values, addiction, mental health, self-determination. Andrea’s childhood involved many challenges and difficulties so it was a relief to see she was able to build a successful career and happy home life for herself as an adult.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Sexual assault, and Racism
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ukponge's review
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, War, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Racism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infidelity
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