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A review by edzee_lcnm
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I read this one in preparation of seeing Julia Alvarez at the 2024 Santa Fe Literary Festival (where she'll be supporting her latest novel - at age 74! - 'The Cemetery of Untold Stories) -- plus this one felt like it was a classic (and indeed it appears to be the first 'major' novel from a Dominican Republic author) and now having read it, quite autobiographical as well - so I feel a better prepared now to see Alvarez (tho I am fairly certain I read her novel "Yo!" way back when, pre-Goodreads ... so does it even count??).
It's easy to see why Alvarez is one of the grand dames of Latin/Hispanic American literature. This felt more like a collection of related short stories versus a novel, tho it is still a complete story (told in reverse!) of the Garcia family and four sisters of their early life in the Dominican Republic and their immigration to the United States. Given it being told in reverse, it is a bit confusing at times and I felt there were probably more connections I should have been making -- i.e. something that I was currently reading in the past explained what had happened in the future (got that?). And like short story (or linked story) works, I connected with some stories/chapters better than others. But the book is filled with (many!) colorful characters and with great authenticity and sincerity.
Overall, 3.75 stars.
It's easy to see why Alvarez is one of the grand dames of Latin/Hispanic American literature. This felt more like a collection of related short stories versus a novel, tho it is still a complete story (told in reverse!) of the Garcia family and four sisters of their early life in the Dominican Republic and their immigration to the United States. Given it being told in reverse, it is a bit confusing at times and I felt there were probably more connections I should have been making -- i.e. something that I was currently reading in the past explained what had happened in the future (got that?). And like short story (or linked story) works, I connected with some stories/chapters better than others. But the book is filled with (many!) colorful characters and with great authenticity and sincerity.
Overall, 3.75 stars.