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jess_always_reading's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Well... I so wanted to love this book, the story seemed like it had so much potential. However, it was a struggle to get through it, I was constantly feeling like I was left wanting more. Herrera introduces some excellent critiques of foreign aid and the saviourism that often goes with it but it feels very surface level, there's one character who's almost a caricature in his obvious plot-device state that takes a lot of the critique as if this would ever be an individual problem and not a systemic issue. Also, Desta's own saviourism is barely touched on and immediately forgiven with very little reflection or reparations.
Additionally, while I have loved complex characters who are deeply flawed in the past, Desta just comes across as completely self-absorbed to the point where Elias loses dimensionality. There's very little I could tell you about Elias because we just don't see a lot of exploration of his character despite this apparently incredible love they have for each other and the complex experiences he has had (the unsafe environment for queer people feels like it's treated as a convenient plot device).
There are also several instances where Elias could really use Desta's support and he ends up being the one to comfort and support Desta, exceptionally problematic when you consider that Desta wants to become a social worker (I'm one myself so this was really upsetting).
Honestly, I also really wanted more of Ethiopia! This was supposed to be a love letter to the country and I don't feel like the setting was explored enough. We get some surface-level descriptions and really inconsistent ones at that. they're constantly described wearing sweaters and cooler weather clothes but then we find out at the end that it's actually been summer this whole time, as someone who's been in this part of the world this doesn't track at all I had really been hoping for something more like Julian Winter's approach to describing and integrating Santa Monica into his novel The Summer of Everything (rich description with emotion).
Lastly, the writing/character voices were rough. It felt very juvenile for two adult characters and we (the reader) were constantly being force-fed information (telling instead of showing).
I know this is Herrera's first novel so I have hope for her later work. I'm just left wanting so much more with Finding Joy.
Would not recommend.
Additionally, while I have loved complex characters who are deeply flawed in the past, Desta just comes across as completely self-absorbed to the point where Elias loses dimensionality. There's very little I could tell you about Elias because we just don't see a lot of exploration of his character despite this apparently incredible love they have for each other and the complex experiences he has had (the unsafe environment for queer people feels like it's treated as a convenient plot device).
There are also several instances where Elias could really use Desta's support and he ends up being the one to comfort and support Desta, exceptionally problematic when you consider that Desta wants to become a social worker (I'm one myself so this was really upsetting).
Honestly, I also really wanted more of Ethiopia! This was supposed to be a love letter to the country and I don't feel like the setting was explored enough. We get some surface-level descriptions and really inconsistent ones at that.
Lastly, the writing/character voices were rough. It felt very juvenile for two adult characters and we (the reader) were constantly being force-fed information (telling instead of showing).
I know this is Herrera's first novel so I have hope for her later work. I'm just left wanting so much more with Finding Joy.
Would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Colonisation
fivefeather's review
Burnout. Might finish someday, but wasn't finding it especially engaging
amberinpieces's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
samgould's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bookschaosnart's review against another edition
5.0
Initial Review: It's as joyful as the title. I've always enjoyed the authors story telling and how she weaves real life with happiness and "wins" and this definitely fit the bill. I loved the setting and how it helped to advance the story as well.
mattiehatter's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ameliarose529's review
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emcgillivray's review
3.0
Super sweet romance about Desta, an American temporarily living in Ethiopia doing aid work, and Elias, an Ethiopian man who is one of his coworkers. A lot of the tension is around culture differences, especially in how the two navigate getting to know each other, flirting, and finally getting together. Homosexuality is illegal in Ethiopia.
Finding Joy is from Desta's point of view in first person, and at times, I really wanted to know what Elias thought about their situation. A huge part of their disconnect is around Desta trying to make "the best decision" about how to proceed with their relationship, both from the secrecy aspect and because Desta is only in Ethiopia for a handful of months.
It's clear that Herrera very much loves Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people, and in many ways, this is also a love letter to the place.
Finding Joy is from Desta's point of view in first person, and at times, I really wanted to know what Elias thought about their situation. A huge part of their disconnect is around Desta trying to make "the best decision" about how to proceed with their relationship, both from the secrecy aspect and because Desta is only in Ethiopia for a handful of months.
It's clear that Herrera very much loves Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people, and in many ways, this is also a love letter to the place.
dsauriol1991's review
3.5
A quick little love story where we follow Desta & Elias finding love and joy with one another. It's also a story of being brave enough to follow your dreams and it was super sweet!