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A review by randomscrabble
The Affairs of the Falcóns by Melissa Rivero
3.0
The Affairs of the Falcóns is the debut novel by Melissa Rivero, published April 2nd, 2019 by Ecco. I picked this one up from my local library for mainly two reasons: 1) my ever-growing desire to learn about other cultures, and 2) the HYPE!
It is delightful to be surrounded by so many colorful cultures at work, I've learned a bit about culinary preferences, different meanings for some words, rooted expressions, etc. Truthfully though, I haven't got the chance for deeper discussions when it comes to social and political structures in their countries, and maybe not everyone is willing to have this sort of conversation.
This story made me want to read more about Peru's history, guerilla groups and to ask a few questions to my Peruvian co-workers about racism and classism within their culture. It was eye-opening to read how every culture has its issues with race and racial traits. How someone can end up feeling unwelcomed within their own country and more at ease by being invisible in foreign lands.
We read to understand what we can't possibly know first hand, I can identify with being an immigrant but not with the fear and difficulties that come with being undocumented. How the most trivial of tasks become harder and an ordeal, stuff as simple as going to work or getting medical help. I can easily empathize but, for some reason, it was a bit difficult to do so here, how all of these hardships and nightmares seemed to lack justifiable grounds.
I can understand wanting a better education and future for your children, but it wasn't really emphasized that way here, the reasoning behind Ana wanting to remain in the US was painted as somewhat selfish. I don't know if anyone else felt it this way but it kind of seemed that her motivations were being unable to deal with an unaccepting family, not wanting to inflict wounds to her own pride, having her dreams in sight whilst disregarding completely the dreams of her partner - which is not the nicest of ways to treat your spouse, without conversations, agreements, compromises-, not thinking about the discomfort of the others around her - friends and family members trying to help but having the rightful need of their own space as well-.
I don't know, I truly admired her determination, her willingness to succeed, her strength and fighting spirit. I understand the shakiness of the economy in Latin American countries, where a degree is far from a guarantee that you'll secure employment, I'm aware of the political crisis and corruption in our countries, where politicians steal and brake the poor and no one does anything. I won't say I know about violence in Peru, but by the accounts of the book and some reading, I can conclude that Ana's family was safe where they were at Lima, where her other relatives continued to be safe after she left. Having a glance at the big picture, it felt like this family was being scarred irreparably and that somehow things were just getting worse instead of better.
All of this information made me wonder what would I do in this situation, and the truth is I don't want to ever have to answer that, being aware that I have this privilege of not having to. I believe we all try to do the best we can with the cards we were dealt and we all play them as we think appropriate and more beneficial. This book really got me thinking, as all good books do. It has also motivated me to have more meaningful conversations with the ones around me and learn more about their stories.
It is delightful to be surrounded by so many colorful cultures at work, I've learned a bit about culinary preferences, different meanings for some words, rooted expressions, etc. Truthfully though, I haven't got the chance for deeper discussions when it comes to social and political structures in their countries, and maybe not everyone is willing to have this sort of conversation.
This story made me want to read more about Peru's history, guerilla groups and to ask a few questions to my Peruvian co-workers about racism and classism within their culture. It was eye-opening to read how every culture has its issues with race and racial traits. How someone can end up feeling unwelcomed within their own country and more at ease by being invisible in foreign lands.
We read to understand what we can't possibly know first hand, I can identify with being an immigrant but not with the fear and difficulties that come with being undocumented. How the most trivial of tasks become harder and an ordeal, stuff as simple as going to work or getting medical help. I can easily empathize but, for some reason, it was a bit difficult to do so here, how all of these hardships and nightmares seemed to lack justifiable grounds.
I can understand wanting a better education and future for your children, but it wasn't really emphasized that way here, the reasoning behind Ana wanting to remain in the US was painted as somewhat selfish. I don't know if anyone else felt it this way but it kind of seemed that her motivations were being unable to deal with an unaccepting family, not wanting to inflict wounds to her own pride, having her dreams in sight whilst disregarding completely the dreams of her partner - which is not the nicest of ways to treat your spouse, without conversations, agreements, compromises-, not thinking about the discomfort of the others around her - friends and family members trying to help but having the rightful need of their own space as well-.
I don't know, I truly admired her determination, her willingness to succeed, her strength and fighting spirit. I understand the shakiness of the economy in Latin American countries, where a degree is far from a guarantee that you'll secure employment, I'm aware of the political crisis and corruption in our countries, where politicians steal and brake the poor and no one does anything. I won't say I know about violence in Peru, but by the accounts of the book and some reading, I can conclude that Ana's family was safe where they were at Lima, where her other relatives continued to be safe after she left. Having a glance at the big picture, it felt like this family was being scarred irreparably and that somehow things were just getting worse instead of better.
All of this information made me wonder what would I do in this situation, and the truth is I don't want to ever have to answer that, being aware that I have this privilege of not having to. I believe we all try to do the best we can with the cards we were dealt and we all play them as we think appropriate and more beneficial. This book really got me thinking, as all good books do. It has also motivated me to have more meaningful conversations with the ones around me and learn more about their stories.