A review by arisol
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Elizabeth Acevedo, Julia Alvarez

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

4.0

The writing alongside the reverse storyline are a beautiful touch to unpacking what feels like a very different story from Julia Alvarez's other books. While I will say that the enjoyment and likeability of the parents and other "adult" figures is dampened by the racist and classist ways of interacting with the support staff in DR, I understand the importance of expressing this dynamic, especially related to the experience of migration.

Having read this first novel after others which came later (In the Time of Butterflies; Afterlife), I can see the way Alvarez's writing style and character developments changed over time. And I see clearly why Alvarez had such a literary impact on many authors that came afterwards.
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