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librarinamama 's review for:
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
by Erika L. Sánchez
Julia is NOT her parents' perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga's title. Now that Olga is dead, though, Julia is all her parents have left. And it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to understand that Julia wants to focus on her education, especially going away to college, instead of focusing on her family. The thing is, though, that Julia is pretty sure the "perfection" of Olga was a myth. She definitely played the part of the dutiful daughter well enough, living at home and spending her free time hanging out with extended family. But after Olga's sudden and tragic death -- she was hit by a semi while crossing the street -- Julia found a few clues that Olga might not have been exactly who she seemed to be. Because Olga's friends don't seem to know anything, or at least won't talk to Julia about what she found, though, she isn't sure she will ever learn the whole truth.
I really loved how Sánchez walked us through Julia's revelations about people and interpersonal relationships she had taken for granted all her life. Julia's awakening insight into the rationale and motives of people around her, particularly her parents, was often aided by her memories of Olga as she navigated her own grief and guilt surrounding Olga's death. And although she wasn't a particularly likable protagonist, with all her whining and complaining, I was intrigued by Julia's desire to stay true to herself while still "giving in" to her parents' desires and attempting to honor her family and her cultural traditions. (If you are not familiar with Mexican cultural traditions such as the quinceañera, by the way, this book is an excellent primer.)
Happy Reading!
I really loved how Sánchez walked us through Julia's revelations about people and interpersonal relationships she had taken for granted all her life. Julia's awakening insight into the rationale and motives of people around her, particularly her parents, was often aided by her memories of Olga as she navigated her own grief and guilt surrounding Olga's death. And although she wasn't a particularly likable protagonist, with all her whining and complaining, I was intrigued by Julia's desire to stay true to herself while still "giving in" to her parents' desires and attempting to honor her family and her cultural traditions. (If you are not familiar with Mexican cultural traditions such as the quinceañera, by the way, this book is an excellent primer.)
Happy Reading!