Reviews

Cantoras by Caro De Robertis

kirajoy's review against another edition

4.0

Spoilers are just for the trigger warnings - Several trigger warnings need to be given before reading this book - Rape, infidelity, violence, suicide.

The book is beautifully constructed, the characters jump out of the page and it’s a story woven with truth and beauty. It would be a great book for a book club, or other serious reading group, but I wouldn’t call it a beach read. It was gripping though and once I dove in, I read it fairly quickly, though it took a few false starts.

adl1908's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

micropunk's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Lesbophobia

coco_lolo's review against another edition

3.0

Cantoras is probably not a novel I would have read on my own, but I'm glad I checked this out. I found the five central women frustrating and captivating, my favorite changing all throughout the reading process. De Robertis really succeeded in capturing vastly different women who came together initially because of their sexuality but created lasting relationships. The prose was thoughtful and sophisticated (although I did tire of the references to mate; is that how I am with mentioning coffee in my stories?), and I liked getting to learn more about Uraguay, a country I've never known much about. The main reason for the three stars is simply that I never found myself completely engrossed in the story, and because I wasn't altogether satisfied with the direction the plot took toward the end. I also didn't care for the amount of infidelity going on, in part because this novel was more focused on lust than genuine love; and while I liked the importance of found family, I never completely bought the various romantic relationships. This was enjoyable while reading it, but I don't think it will stick with me down the road.

Thanks to Book Riot's Tailored Book Recommendations service for the rec!

moh's review against another edition

5.0

You had me at historical fiction that follows a chosen family of queer women living under Uruguayan military dictatorship. But this is one of the most beautiful books I've read this year--maybe ever.

CN: imprisonment, rape, torture,

Spoiler

conversion therapy (graphic)

reeseb's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

c3poth3dr0id's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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

5.0

To me, this book is perfect; poetic and powerful, I lost myself in its characters, in the brutal repression of the Uruguayan dictatorship, in the poetic prose of its beautifully complex characters navigating love as closeted lesbians. I love each one of the characters so deeply. 
I can’t remember the last book that made me cry this much or laugh or burn with desire. 
TW: sucicide and conversion therapy. De Robertis shared these tragedies with such a gentle embrace. I’ll cherish this book. I’ll cherish Malena, Flaca, La Venus, Paz, and Romina and all their lovers, the good and the bad, the caring and the callous. I’ll hold onto the rebellion and the resistance against the dictatorship; the hope for brighter days as well as the heavy hopelessness that is hard to combat when every shred of freedom has been taken from a people. I love this book cover to cover.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

yarydoll's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 

This is a historical novel set during the Uruguayan dictatorship. It deals with the torture, and silencing of people through the use of brute force and fear as we would expect from that story. It is also to a certain degree a story of the beginning of the lgbtqia+ movement in Cabo Polonio. It's a sapphic story of found family and love in all its manifestations. There are sad moments and unfortunately someone loses all hope, there is also resistance, joy and finding love and inspiration. It is an awesome story above all in that she references all the different peoples that make up Uruguayan. It is thought provoking and I highly recommend.

 

dan2's review against another edition

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? No

4.5

magalinatalia's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0