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A review by bookbelle5_17
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Review of The Hacienda
By; Isabel Canas
After her father, a general, is killed for being a traitor, Beatriz and her mother are left penniless and forced to rely on the goodwill of relatives who don’t want them, but will take them in begrudgingly. When she is old enough, Beatriz, decides to get married to a wealthy man, Rodolpho, she doesn’t love and who goes against her mother’s political views so they can be financially secure and not have to live with these hateful relatives. Rodolpho’s large estate seems to be haunted by his previous wife, who died mysteriously and Beatriz’s new sister in-law doesn’t want to share the house either.
Canas creates a spooky and tense atmosphere as she builds the tension and discomfort of Beatriz’s situation. She starts out subtle describing the house as drafty, but the chill has a habit of seeping into your bones. Doors are slamming and whenever Beatriz sees something unnatural it disappears when she tries to show it again. We get the sense that that the servants and Juana know something that Beatriz doesn’t adding to the tension and discomfort for me as the reader. Both Juana and Rodolpho have hot and cold personalities and there is a lack of trust as well unspoken truths between the siblings. Rodolpho comes off as the type to sweep things under the rug as he dismisses Beatriz’s concerns. At the same time, he will scold her like a child if he doesn’t approve and has quite a temper. This temper is something Juana also has inherited. She is a character that I pitied, but I also hated her the same time giving her a complexity that made me want to understand her better. Our main perspectives, Beatriz and Andres are likable and relatable. I admired Beatriz for her bravery and willingness do what it took, but also admired her willing to admit vulnerability and acknowledging her mistakes. She went through a lot she didn’t ask for and still stood tall and strong. Same with Andres, and especially since is told he’s going to hell. He still becomes a priest and helps people, and his battle within himself between his darkness and light. I still find it hard to believe his pure soul will be burned by fire and brimstone. No Way! I was riveted to the story and I kept wanting to turn the pages to find out what was going to happen with the characters.
By; Isabel Canas
After her father, a general, is killed for being a traitor, Beatriz and her mother are left penniless and forced to rely on the goodwill of relatives who don’t want them, but will take them in begrudgingly. When she is old enough, Beatriz, decides to get married to a wealthy man, Rodolpho, she doesn’t love and who goes against her mother’s political views so they can be financially secure and not have to live with these hateful relatives. Rodolpho’s large estate seems to be haunted by his previous wife, who died mysteriously and Beatriz’s new sister in-law doesn’t want to share the house either.
Canas creates a spooky and tense atmosphere as she builds the tension and discomfort of Beatriz’s situation. She starts out subtle describing the house as drafty, but the chill has a habit of seeping into your bones. Doors are slamming and whenever Beatriz sees something unnatural it disappears when she tries to show it again. We get the sense that that the servants and Juana know something that Beatriz doesn’t adding to the tension and discomfort for me as the reader. Both Juana and Rodolpho have hot and cold personalities and there is a lack of trust as well unspoken truths between the siblings. Rodolpho comes off as the type to sweep things under the rug as he dismisses Beatriz’s concerns. At the same time, he will scold her like a child if he doesn’t approve and has quite a temper. This temper is something Juana also has inherited. She is a character that I pitied, but I also hated her the same time giving her a complexity that made me want to understand her better. Our main perspectives, Beatriz and Andres are likable and relatable. I admired Beatriz for her bravery and willingness do what it took, but also admired her willing to admit vulnerability and acknowledging her mistakes. She went through a lot she didn’t ask for and still stood tall and strong. Same with Andres, and especially since is told he’s going to hell. He still becomes a priest and helps people, and his battle within himself between his darkness and light. I still find it hard to believe his pure soul will be burned by fire and brimstone. No Way! I was riveted to the story and I kept wanting to turn the pages to find out what was going to happen with the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Animal death, Blood, and Murder