A review by baileyb3978c
Costalegre: A Novel Inspired By Peggy Guggenheim and Her Daughter by Courtney Maum

4.0

This is an odd little book. The diary of a 15 year old girl living in the jungle among a group of temperamental, selfish, but brilliant artists. What this book does well is bring the reader right inside the mind of Lara, the diarist. As a young adult reader I particularly loved the genre of "teen girl writes in diary" and that likely contributes a large amount to my liking this book. I wouldn't, however, recommend the book on that basis alone. The story is a fascinating and deep snapshot into a very brief moment in the life of it's narrator. It takes almost no time at all to read in its entirety, but it transports the reader nonetheless. Lara's frustrations, her heartbreak, and her longing are keenly felt and her experiences, told in her unique voice match the wild and treacherous landscape in which she has found herself.