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A review by introvertsbookclub
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
This novel is so full and rich. From class privilege and the vulnerability of women in the face of male violence, to poverty induced gang warfare and the necessity of prison reform, this novel traversed decades, countries and lifetimes of experiences. Exploring what is gained and what is lost across generations and cultures, this story felt like an epic, complete with journeys and trials and emotional arcs.
I loved the way the story explored and celebrated the lives of two generations of women within the same family, both their individual stories and the relationships between the mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins. The narratives spent so much time focusing on traditionally female concerns, from periods, fertility and raising children to cooking and keeping house, and in doing so uncovered the intimate details of the women’s lives and their daily internal monologues. It was exciting too that they were no less interested in their desires and ambitions as they got older. The way that the novel cemented the importance of these ordinary women (with the exception of their magic) and the importance of telling their stories made this a novel I want to pass on to friends and relatives of all ages.
I loved the way the story explored and celebrated the lives of two generations of women within the same family, both their individual stories and the relationships between the mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins. The narratives spent so much time focusing on traditionally female concerns, from periods, fertility and raising children to cooking and keeping house, and in doing so uncovered the intimate details of the women’s lives and their daily internal monologues. It was exciting too that they were no less interested in their desires and ambitions as they got older. The way that the novel cemented the importance of these ordinary women (with the exception of their magic) and the importance of telling their stories made this a novel I want to pass on to friends and relatives of all ages.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence and Violence