vickysbooknook's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jasdawn5's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good read right up until the end. Like WHAT????
toric90's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.25
tayichan's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brandiefralick4's review against another edition
Had a hard time going back and forth from translation to the book. It took away from the enjoyment for me. Great read for someone who understands both languages
mcordell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Torture
Moderate: Child death
imsosobored's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mixty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
A dark, crime-filled read that touches on religion, racism, revenge, the highs and lows of life, and death. I enjoyed the language switching between Spanish and English- it really added a level of depth that only added to the messages buried in the text. Absolutely gripping read right up to the very end. Some questions are left unanswered, but I think that’s the point.
peepbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Devil takes you home is a dark mystical story full of Mexican lore and lots of what was that moments. This is a story that follows Mario after his daughter Anita is diagnosed with cancer. Mario when though he is educated and smart, is still a brown man living in America. He is a citizen but that doesn't really matter because racists don't look at you long enough to see an education, all they see is a brown man. He's spent too much time at the hospital with his wife, Melisa, and their daughter, that he is fired. Now he is in debt, jobless and so depressed; Mario takes a job from his friend Brian as hitman. All he has to do it follow him home and shoot him in the back of the head. Mario does this with ease. This begins the long, dark and depressing descent into darkness that Mario takes.
This book was amazing. I loved the exploring of racism and how it goes from microaggression to full on violence. I loved the way each character was crafted. They were all so unique. I feel like there is a lot of interpretation to be taken about the motivations behind why each person took that cartel hit. I loved the way the author writes their spooky moments. It was almost always a blink or you'll miss it until its right in your face. Those are my favorite types of scares. I loved the way the racists get what they deserved. I was very deeply disturbed listening to certain parts of this book. I did like that the violence was always explained. Mario spends a lot of time trying to justify what he does. I do feel for him at parts. Junca was something else though. I can't truly understand him. Brian at times felt like a throw away character, but I wonder if that is because of the way that Mario starts to view him. I'm very curious to re read and see if I can see when Mario changed his perspective on Brian.
This book was amazing. I loved the exploring of racism and how it goes from microaggression to full on violence. I loved the way each character was crafted. They were all so unique. I feel like there is a lot of interpretation to be taken about the motivations behind why each person took that cartel hit. I loved the way the author writes their spooky moments. It was almost always a blink or you'll miss it until its right in your face. Those are my favorite types of scares. I loved the way the racists get what they deserved. I was very deeply disturbed listening to certain parts of this book. I did like that the violence was always explained. Mario spends a lot of time trying to justify what he does. I do feel for him at parts. Junca was something else though. I can't truly understand him. Brian at times felt like a throw away character, but I wonder if that is because of the way that Mario starts to view him. I'm very curious to re read and see if I can see when Mario changed his perspective on Brian.
Content Warnings
check tw theres a lot under these other reviews ♥
ajmarquez's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciate what Gabino aimed for in this novel: There's a terrifying world out there where hope is lost, where the economy behind the world of drugs creates a ruthless environment where life is cheap. Latin Americans, being one of many communities, are exposed to violence every day, and no matter where you live, the stories of real monsters get to you. Gabino also goes to the extent of presenting supernatural monsters - sometimes in a try for magical realism - which their presence is underwhelmed by the atrocity of the men that conjure them.
It's also a way of saying that there's a Middle Ages world out there that "you" (reader) don't know, where people go back to gods, sacrifices, and all kinds of supernatural artifacts to believe they can cheat death. In this world, good or bad is relative. And the use of religion after and during the atrocities described in the story tells the story of our nations.
Some previous reviewers pointed out the implausibility of a man becoming a hitman when he cannot pay his daughter's bill in the hospital, but I would challenge that. As the premise of The Killing Joke, where it's stated, "you only need one bad day," if you have lived a life where you are pushed to the extreme, where you have been surrounded by violence, these extreme options might be the only options for certain minds. Is it presented enough evidence supporting such behavior on the character? There lies the issue, not only for the character of Mario but also for the rest of the other characters as choices are taken along the story. And here is my central conflict with the book.
Kudos to the supernatural elements, which couldn't have been exploited more, as I found them excellent. But I also see their existence as magical realism fragments. Especially to the character of, one of the best scenes in the novel, coveying horror, the macabre, and the unsettling feeling of darkness.
Closing thoughts
I'm thrilled that books like this exist where the narrator comes from a Latin-American background and presents an "underworld" that is the day-to-day life of a considerable percentage of the population in the USA. The logic to justify the horror is the same one dictators in Latin America have used for ages. There's a reason why they stay in power for years as this discourse finds sympathy on the ones that feel that everything has been taken away from them and are left with no choice, and it's also true that those same saviors become as or more brutal than the ones before.
It could even make a great movie, like Sicario. In some sections of the novel, Gabino shows he has the power to create these images and the craft to compose thrilling action scenes and compelling moments, especially towards the end, where he seems more comfortable with the characters and like he finally found their voice. Gabino shows he has the chops to create visceral stories that will keep you engaged, so I look forward to what will come in the future.
It's also a way of saying that there's a Middle Ages world out there that "you" (reader) don't know, where people go back to gods, sacrifices, and all kinds of supernatural artifacts to believe they can cheat death. In this world, good or bad is relative. And the use of religion after and during the atrocities described in the story tells the story of our nations.
Some previous reviewers pointed out the implausibility of a man becoming a hitman when he cannot pay his daughter's bill in the hospital, but I would challenge that. As the premise of The Killing Joke, where it's stated, "you only need one bad day," if you have lived a life where you are pushed to the extreme, where you have been surrounded by violence, these extreme options might be the only options for certain minds. Is it presented enough evidence supporting such behavior on the character? There lies the issue, not only for the character of Mario but also for the rest of the other characters as choices are taken along the story. And here is my central conflict with the book.
Kudos to the supernatural elements, which couldn't have been exploited more, as I found them excellent. But I also see their existence as magical realism fragments. Especially to the character of
Spoiler
El MilagritoClosing thoughts
I'm thrilled that books like this exist where the narrator comes from a Latin-American background and presents an "underworld" that is the day-to-day life of a considerable percentage of the population in the USA. The logic to justify the horror is the same one dictators in Latin America have used for ages. There's a reason why they stay in power for years as this discourse finds sympathy on the ones that feel that everything has been taken away from them and are left with no choice, and it's also true that those same saviors become as or more brutal than the ones before.
It could even make a great movie, like Sicario. In some sections of the novel, Gabino shows he has the power to create these images and the craft to compose thrilling action scenes and compelling moments, especially towards the end, where he seems more comfortable with the characters and like he finally found their voice. Gabino shows he has the chops to create visceral stories that will keep you engaged, so I look forward to what will come in the future.