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A review by cafeyre
Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
4.0
This book shows the full story of a girl who through fight finally becomes someone she always wanted to be. It’s a long way she had to go through with many hurtful events in the middle, but it all led her to where she is now.
Jaquira Díaz’s life can be described in many ways. From the early years, she had to take care of herself but also her mother and little sister. She had to grow up very fast and the consequences of it appeared very early. Her life was very hard, for most of the time she lived with her mother who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts more than once and drowning her sorrows in alcohol daily. The constant parting and meeting people of the streets also discovered her to dangerous situations like multiple sexual assaults. These scenes described in the book were honestly very painful to read. Especially considering the young age of the author, when her first time wasn’t her choice, and saying no wasn’t an option. When I was reading this book, I realized how much my childhood differed from hers and how lucky I was to be born into a family like mine with a stable life and loving parents. That’s a privilege people don’t recognize in their lives.
Ordinary Girls are touching aspects people don’t like to talk about. They are considered shameful or uncomfortable. It’s also shown in the book when young girls are keeping the secrets about being sexually harassed to themselves instead of going to the police or someone trustworthy. They think they deserved it or that no one will even believe them. So, they go on with their life, drink, even more, drop the school and live on the streets with people like them.
Reading this book was very painful, especially that I knew that it’s all based on the author’s life. I couldn’t even imagine going through all of this and sharing it all with people. I’m sure it had to be a long and hard process to go through. However, I know that this book would connect girls like her and send them the message that they are not alone. Moreover, it is eyes opening, it’s teaches people that they shouldn’t judge people without knowing their story and life situation. We see young homeless people and think all wrong about them, but the truth may be completely different.
This book shows the full story of a girl who through fight finally becomes someone she always wanted to be. It’s a long way she had to go through with many hurtful events in the middle, but it all led her to where she is now.
For the story and quality of the book and writing, I would give this book five stars. However, I felt confused so many times while reading this book because I was jumping through the years and events. I know that it was done on purpose, but I didn’t like it. I had to go back to see which situation was this year connected and how old she was. I think it would be much better if the events would happen in chronological order.
I would like to thank Algonquin Books and Jaquira Díaz for inviting me to be a part of this amazing blog tour and for providing me with such an inspiring book.
Jaquira Díaz’s life can be described in many ways. From the early years, she had to take care of herself but also her mother and little sister. She had to grow up very fast and the consequences of it appeared very early. Her life was very hard, for most of the time she lived with her mother who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts more than once and drowning her sorrows in alcohol daily. The constant parting and meeting people of the streets also discovered her to dangerous situations like multiple sexual assaults. These scenes described in the book were honestly very painful to read. Especially considering the young age of the author, when her first time wasn’t her choice, and saying no wasn’t an option. When I was reading this book, I realized how much my childhood differed from hers and how lucky I was to be born into a family like mine with a stable life and loving parents. That’s a privilege people don’t recognize in their lives.
Ordinary Girls are touching aspects people don’t like to talk about. They are considered shameful or uncomfortable. It’s also shown in the book when young girls are keeping the secrets about being sexually harassed to themselves instead of going to the police or someone trustworthy. They think they deserved it or that no one will even believe them. So, they go on with their life, drink, even more, drop the school and live on the streets with people like them.
Reading this book was very painful, especially that I knew that it’s all based on the author’s life. I couldn’t even imagine going through all of this and sharing it all with people. I’m sure it had to be a long and hard process to go through. However, I know that this book would connect girls like her and send them the message that they are not alone. Moreover, it is eyes opening, it’s teaches people that they shouldn’t judge people without knowing their story and life situation. We see young homeless people and think all wrong about them, but the truth may be completely different.
This book shows the full story of a girl who through fight finally becomes someone she always wanted to be. It’s a long way she had to go through with many hurtful events in the middle, but it all led her to where she is now.
For the story and quality of the book and writing, I would give this book five stars. However, I felt confused so many times while reading this book because I was jumping through the years and events. I know that it was done on purpose, but I didn’t like it. I had to go back to see which situation was this year connected and how old she was. I think it would be much better if the events would happen in chronological order.
I would like to thank Algonquin Books and Jaquira Díaz for inviting me to be a part of this amazing blog tour and for providing me with such an inspiring book.