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internationalreads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Suicide, Car accident, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
sidekicksam's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Abyss centers around Claudia, the eight year old daughter of Claudia and Jorge, who grows up in Cali, Colombia. She witnesses her mother’s affair with her sister-in-law’s husband, and when her father discovers the affair, she witnesses the slow break of her mother’s spirits, her parents’ marriage, and witnesses them slowly drift off towards the abyss.
Story-wise, this felt like another blow to the gut as it was like reading my own experience. Though I didn’t witness it myself, like Claudia did, what happened to her parents’ marriage also happened in my life, around the same age.
Perhaps that is why I connected to the story better than others who reviewed it, but I never felt the tone of voice was unbelievable for a girl of eight. Witnessing and experiencing something as raw and frightening as your mother’s descent into depression, as well as the crumbling of your parents’ marriage, makes you grow up faster.
Ultimately, I felt the ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking, but this short book is a stellar novella and well worth your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, and Infidelity
todayitsthis's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Claudia, who’s named after her beautiful mother, lives with her parents in Cali, Colombia. The grown-ups, including her aunt, are close to one another and lovingly take care of her. However, when someone new enters the picture, the dynamic changes. After that, Claudia’s life is heavily shaded by generational trauma and mental illness.
1️⃣ I read this in one sitting.
2️⃣ I loved reading from the perspective of the 8-year old Claudia. It took me back to books from my childhood. But there’s nothing childish about this book or the traumas it explores.
3️⃣ I hadn’t read any translated works in a while when I picked this one up, and I’m so glad that I did. I studied Latin American lit in college (untranslated then, but my language skills are a bit rusty now) and loved it—I need to get back to it.
4️⃣ I think it’s incredibly difficult to address such difficult topics from the perspective of a child while maintaining an appropriate tone and voice, but Quintana easily achieves it. The way that events unfold in front of Claudia and her reactions are so complex and add heart-wrenching depth to the story.
5️⃣ I have only good things to say about this one. It’s fairly short and can be a quick read, but it’s such a full and layered story.
1️⃣ I read this in one sitting.
2️⃣ I loved reading from the perspective of the 8-year old Claudia. It took me back to books from my childhood. But there’s nothing childish about this book or the traumas it explores.
3️⃣ I hadn’t read any translated works in a while when I picked this one up, and I’m so glad that I did. I studied Latin American lit in college (untranslated then, but my language skills are a bit rusty now) and loved it—I need to get back to it.
4️⃣ I think it’s incredibly difficult to address such difficult topics from the perspective of a child while maintaining an appropriate tone and voice, but Quintana easily achieves it. The way that events unfold in front of Claudia and her reactions are so complex and add heart-wrenching depth to the story.
5️⃣ I have only good things to say about this one. It’s fairly short and can be a quick read, but it’s such a full and layered story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
ahnminjim's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
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