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A review by loxeletters
Mayas Tagebuch by Isabel Allende
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-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
3.0
I've been sitting in this review for a while... I enjoyed this book. It was funny, interesting, and well-written. I really enjoyed exploring the Las Vegas drug scene and the topic of addiction. I
But there were also some major issues I had, especially the way this book treats PTSD. Manuel's trauma is confronted in a way which I found distasteful and unrealistic. I would have liked to explore the topic of Pinochets dictatorship more in depth in general - I was hoping it would be a big theme in the book, that's why I picked it up - but instead it felt rushed and shallow. This may very well be also due to the diary format, which of course lends itself to a lot of telling and less showing.
My second big issue with the book was the way the big mystery was realised. For the first half of the book, we're wondering why Maya is in Chiloé. Once the Las Vegas Part of the story is told, however, the stakes felt suddenly quite low. I felt like they were all being a bit overdramatic. Then, in the last thirty pages, things suddenly pick back up again and everything devolves rapidly. The final solution regarding Arana was also very speculative for me... Not enough actual proof, only some speculation on Maya's part to eplain his role. It felt weird.
All that being said, I really enjoyed the setting of Chiloé and the community of the little island. Makes me want to visit actually! I liked the characters, though I was frustrated by Maya at times. I enjoyed the parts about the dictatorship and about her addiction. I also appreciated the dry, understated humour. Overall a mixed experience. I was told this is Allende's most "YA" work, and I'm excited to read more adult works by her.
But there were also some major issues I had, especially the way this book treats PTSD. Manuel's trauma is confronted in a way which I found distasteful and unrealistic. I would have liked to explore the topic of Pinochets dictatorship more in depth in general - I was hoping it would be a big theme in the book, that's why I picked it up - but instead it felt rushed and shallow. This may very well be also due to the diary format, which of course lends itself to a lot of telling and less showing.
My second big issue with the book was the way the big mystery was realised. For the first half of the book, we're wondering why Maya is in Chiloé. Once the Las Vegas Part of the story is told, however, the stakes felt suddenly quite low. I felt like they were all being a bit overdramatic. Then, in the last thirty pages, things suddenly pick back up again and everything devolves rapidly. The final solution regarding Arana was also very speculative for me... Not enough actual proof, only some speculation on Maya's part to eplain his role. It felt weird.
All that being said, I really enjoyed the setting of Chiloé and the community of the little island. Makes me want to visit actually! I liked the characters, though I was frustrated by Maya at times. I enjoyed the parts about the dictatorship and about her addiction. I also appreciated the dry, understated humour. Overall a mixed experience. I was told this is Allende's most "YA" work, and I'm excited to read more adult works by her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Drug abuse, Addiction, Grief, Kidnapping, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Torture, Incest, Forced institutionalization, Eating disorder, Abortion, and Terminal illness