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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In my opinion the book has its ups and downs, although there are far more downs.
I liked the way the story was told: through the eyes of the rich Americans but also from the perspective of the poor Mexican immigrants. The author did a good job showing both sides of the discussed problems.
I didn't like the story itself, though. Everything that could go wrong for the Mexicans, went wrong. The Americans' story, however, was not nearly as tragic and in most parts simply boring. I also felt no emotions towards the characters. They were too flat, too boring. The only character I felt a little sorry for was América. She was the only one with a real story and the only one who had some kind of a personality. Chapters showing her perspective were often interesting and made me want to read on. On the other hand, the long chapters containing Delaney's articles were quite dull and tiring. The whole book was quite repetitive and dry. I would not recommend it, unless you're into reading over 300 pages with basically the same content and unappealing characters.
I liked the way the story was told: through the eyes of the rich Americans but also from the perspective of the poor Mexican immigrants. The author did a good job showing both sides of the discussed problems.
I didn't like the story itself, though. Everything that could go wrong for the Mexicans, went wrong. The Americans' story, however, was not nearly as tragic and in most parts simply boring. I also felt no emotions towards the characters. They were too flat, too boring. The only character I felt a little sorry for was América. She was the only one with a real story and the only one who had some kind of a personality. Chapters showing her perspective were often interesting and made me want to read on. On the other hand, the long chapters containing Delaney's articles were quite dull and tiring. The whole book was quite repetitive and dry. I would not recommend it, unless you're into reading over 300 pages with basically the same content and unappealing characters.
This book was not an enjoyable read, but that seems to be exactly the point. The unlikable characters, excruciating irony, and tragic events make up an unenjoyable, but pressing social criticism. It was painful and raw and real and everything it needed to be - one of those books that changes the way you look at the world around you.
-1 star for the really weird ending. like not even weird in a good way. just weird.
-1 star for the really weird ending. like not even weird in a good way. just weird.
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I listened to it and the narrator was the author, and I felt he did a very good job narrating it. The character development was good, but in a very stereotypical way and that bothered me greatly, especially concerning the Mexican couple. The issues in the book (immigration, racism, rich vs poor, homelessness, etc) are all such important and emotionally charged topics, making the book far from a "feel good" read. I read these type of books often as they usually are educational and help improve my empathy for others and remind me of my obligation to help others in our varied culture. This book was selected by one of my book group members and I'm sure it will be a very hot discussion, given the various personalities in our group.
I haven't read a book by TC Boyle that didn't surprise me. Once again, the author manages to write in such a way that help the reader understand unsympathetic characters. As noted by a friend who read this book, I will never be able to look at the cluster of men standing on the corner outside the local hardware store the same way.
The Tortilla Curtain is a fictional telling of a year for two very different couples living in California. The first couple are of Mexican descent and are illegal immigrants. The other couple is a Californian yuppie type where the woman is the main breadwinner of the family.
I had heard nothing but great reviews before I read this story. Unfortunately, I didn't find it as stellar. While it paints a fairly accurate picture of what life can be like for these two very different sets of people, it almost draws it too far into the unreal.
I can believe that many unfortunate things happen to the Mexican couple, however, Boyle seems to string it along this much (and even he compares it to the trials of Job) and makes it quite unbelievable towards the end. With everything that happens, it literally does not make sense that this couple does not give up and therefore, in my opinion, makes the book unrealistic.
The other couple, while starting out interesting, soon falls into a character portrayal of being shallow and having no redeeming qualities. While most people are only out for themselves, I have trouble believing that the whole community and this couple are such terrible human beings. Surely Boyle could have included a glimmer of light somewhere.
The ending also leaves much to be desired as it seems very unfinished. It is almost as if the author himself had had it with the book and was giving up.
In all, while this book opens the eyes to the atrocities that happen to illegal aliens it becomes too fanciful and stereotypical to really reach out and grab hold of hearts for its cause.
I had heard nothing but great reviews before I read this story. Unfortunately, I didn't find it as stellar. While it paints a fairly accurate picture of what life can be like for these two very different sets of people, it almost draws it too far into the unreal.
I can believe that many unfortunate things happen to the Mexican couple, however, Boyle seems to string it along this much (and even he compares it to the trials of Job) and makes it quite unbelievable towards the end. With everything that happens, it literally does not make sense that this couple does not give up and therefore, in my opinion, makes the book unrealistic.
The other couple, while starting out interesting, soon falls into a character portrayal of being shallow and having no redeeming qualities. While most people are only out for themselves, I have trouble believing that the whole community and this couple are such terrible human beings. Surely Boyle could have included a glimmer of light somewhere.
The ending also leaves much to be desired as it seems very unfinished. It is almost as if the author himself had had it with the book and was giving up.
In all, while this book opens the eyes to the atrocities that happen to illegal aliens it becomes too fanciful and stereotypical to really reach out and grab hold of hearts for its cause.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Ooooof... This was a tough read.
Boyle's prose and imagery were beautifully written. His writing style is unique and captivating. But this book was extremely depressing as it revolves around the (very real and very relevant) horrors of immigration, xenophobia, racism, and poverty in the US. One malady after another, the protagonists truly could not catch a break. I found my heart breaking at the turn of every page. I would definitely recommend the read. 3.5/5
Boyle's prose and imagery were beautifully written. His writing style is unique and captivating. But this book was extremely depressing as it revolves around the (very real and very relevant) horrors of immigration, xenophobia, racism, and poverty in the US. One malady after another, the protagonists truly could not catch a break. I found my heart breaking at the turn of every page. I would definitely recommend the read. 3.5/5