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lotte_898's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hannahh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rokoprog's review
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
holamrslola's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
theblondpanda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
leslielu67's review
4.0
An entertaining little magical realism diversion. 3.5 stars. I'm probably missing some of the inside jokes since I know very little about Mexican politics.
manaledi's review
4.0
I really loved this book for the first 100some pages and then the political satire magical realism became just bizarre. The comedic fictional portrayal of family and inequality and Mexican economics fit right in with what I love about political underpinnings of beautifully written Latin American literature. I wish I'd read it in the original Spanish.
elnatnal's review
4.0
Very good. The language was full of description and little quips that helped keep pace and strong the surrealism through well and good. Had moments where I really did laugh out loud while reading.
thetattybookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Orestes, the novel’s protagonist, takes us on a bumpy ride through reality, absurdity, and back again. The satire throughout the story had me laughing and sharing lines with my family. While the story does show what it’s like to be poor in 1980’s Mexico, I found myself wishing it had more of a narrative arc. The magical realism, which I’m usually a fan of, felt out of place in this story. All in all, I did enjoy the ride.
scrow1022's review against another edition
4.0
Bizarre, playful, thought-provoking. Deceptively quick read.