lastcabtonowhere's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
whimsicalish's review against another edition
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
I cannot imagine living through the hardships and terrifying reality described here. Thank you for sharing your story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Gore
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
nordstina's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Fruit of the Drunken Tree is an engaging debut novel about life in the political upheaval in Colombia in the 1990's, based partially on the author's experiences. She paints a moving tale on how different families are affected by the unrest. Chula and her sister Cassandra live in a gated community, so believe they are quite safe from the violence. Their father frequently travels for work. Their mother hires a housekeeper, Patrona, a woman not much older than Cassandra. Patrona lives in a much more unstable area and her family is greatly affected by the violence. Chula tries to befriend Patrona and better understand her circumstances, which Patrona tries to protect her from. This is a sad coming of age story, but I appreciated learning more about the country at that time and how families could be affected in both similar and different ways.
longstorieshort's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kdhanda's review against another edition
3.0
An account of a family and their maid, set in the height of Pablo Escobar's reign. Chula and Cassandra live the affluent, urban life in Bogota and the employment of their maid, Petrona, exposes the family to the threat of guerrila underworld. This is a tight, gripping story of life within a civil war where there are no happy endings.
livingprose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
takealoadoff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Beautiful novel set in 1980s/1990s Colombia. I loved the main character, Chula. There was so much tenderness to her character and her family.
mactammonty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
anneke_b's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book set in Colombia in the time where kidnappings and Pablo Escobar were dominating everything. Was quite surprised to see that the book had some autobiographical elements in it, and that made it even better for me. Well written, on a topic that has not been covered very often, especially not by an author who was actually born and raised there. Recommended
shirabeth1's review against another edition
5.0
Very good read and important insight into Colombia in the late 80s and early 90s.