A review by libraryoflanelle
The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

The Cemetery of Untold Stories follows novelist Alma Cruz, who decides to create a literal graveyard for all her unpublished works, yet the buried characters still find ways to get their stories heard. 

 

I was immediately drawn to this premise and am grateful to have received an audio ARC. Alma Cuervo's narration was beautiful, capturing Julia Alvarez’s poetic language perfectly. However, I personally would have preferred tandem reading with a physical copy as I often found myself wanting to see the words to piece together the narratives, as the audio format made it harder to follow the jumps between stories. 

 

My favourite aspect of this novel was its beautiful writing and the meaning behind the interwoven stories, highlighting the importance of sharing our collective lives as stories, even after they end. 

 

Nevertheless, I felt a slight disconnect from the overall book as I struggled with the jumps between stories and maintaining interest in less likeable characters. Despite how it may appear from the book's description, I actually found myself yearning for more emphasis on the magical elements. 

 

Overall, I recommend this book to fans of interwoven family narratives with a touch of magical realism. If accessible, tandem reading with audio and physical/ebook may also be a good shout for the full experience. 

 

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the Audio Arc. All opinions are my own.