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A review by balladofreadingqueer
The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book. It grew out of a short story of the same name; however, I think that the novel makes much more sense. The removal of the old man who got nailed to the cross makes Amadeo’s choice make so much more sense.
The story centers on Amadeo and to a lesser extent his daughter Angel. The 5 wounds could refer to Amadeo (the jobless, alcoholic penitent who wants to be a better man), Angel (the teenage single mother trying to get her GED), Yolanda (the grandmother dying of a brain tumour and trying to keep her family together, Lizette (the teenage single mother with no family and limited options) and Brianna (the virgin teacher desperate for acceptance). Or the 5 wounds could address the issues that impact many of the characters familial tension, desire to be accepted, desire for fulfilment, poverty and illness/health.
I enjoyed following this family of 4 generations through the trials and tribulations of 1 year of family life for this Latine New Mexican family. My favourite subplot was the queer relationship between Lizette and Angel as they found ways to go to school, take care of their babies and show each other the love and affection missing from their own lives. Even though in the end their relationship did not last as one girl succumbed to the dangers of being an at-risk mother. Whereas Amadeo and Ángel seem to have improved by the end of the book and grown in themselves and in their relationships.
The story centers on Amadeo and to a lesser extent his daughter Angel. The 5 wounds could refer to Amadeo (the jobless, alcoholic penitent who wants to be a better man), Angel (the teenage single mother trying to get her GED), Yolanda (the grandmother dying of a brain tumour and trying to keep her family together, Lizette (the teenage single mother with no family and limited options) and Brianna (the virgin teacher desperate for acceptance). Or the 5 wounds could address the issues that impact many of the characters familial tension, desire to be accepted, desire for fulfilment, poverty and illness/health.
I enjoyed following this family of 4 generations through the trials and tribulations of 1 year of family life for this Latine New Mexican family. My favourite subplot was the queer relationship between Lizette and Angel as they found ways to go to school, take care of their babies and show each other the love and affection missing from their own lives. Even though in the end their relationship did not last as one girl succumbed to the dangers of being an at-risk mother. Whereas Amadeo and Ángel seem to have improved by the end of the book and grown in themselves and in their relationships.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug use, Incest, Pregnancy, Rape, and Self harm