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A review by emilyusuallyreading
The Barefoot Queen by Ildefonso Falcones
2.0
What I Liked
The character development of Caridad was my favorite part of this book. She begins the first page as a mindless slave. She's never known how to think for herself. She's unable to tell people know, even if it's to fight for her own rights and bodily safety. She is taken in by a group of proud gypsies - and many of them love Caridad as their own. Caridad's arc throughout the novel is brilliant as one has the opportunity to watch this slave discover that she is a strong, passionate, and intelligent woman with talents, abilities, and the right to "say no."
Milagros also has a character arc, although it is more painful and sad than anything else - not a strengthening, pleasant one. The sisterhood between Milagros, the gypsy girl, and Caridad, the former slave, is a beautiful addition to this piece.
What I Didn't Like
This is so long. The descriptions are almost brutal as they last beyond pages. Experiences of characters last years. In some ways The Barefoot Queen reminds me of One Hundred Years of Solitude in its length from generation to generation; but the characters and the storyline aren't memorable enough to carry its impact. Instead I found myself putting the book down again and again and wishing it could be over.
The character development of Caridad was my favorite part of this book. She begins the first page as a mindless slave. She's never known how to think for herself. She's unable to tell people know, even if it's to fight for her own rights and bodily safety. She is taken in by a group of proud gypsies - and many of them love Caridad as their own. Caridad's arc throughout the novel is brilliant as one has the opportunity to watch this slave discover that she is a strong, passionate, and intelligent woman with talents, abilities, and the right to "say no."
Milagros also has a character arc, although it is more painful and sad than anything else - not a strengthening, pleasant one. The sisterhood between Milagros, the gypsy girl, and Caridad, the former slave, is a beautiful addition to this piece.
What I Didn't Like
This is so long. The descriptions are almost brutal as they last beyond pages. Experiences of characters last years. In some ways The Barefoot Queen reminds me of One Hundred Years of Solitude in its length from generation to generation; but the characters and the storyline aren't memorable enough to carry its impact. Instead I found myself putting the book down again and again and wishing it could be over.