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tctimlin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Set in an unnamed Latin American country, in contemporary times (written in 1987j) Eva Luna tells her story, from her mother’s start in the jungle, conceived while her servant mother was nursing a strange red-haired gardener back to life. She makes her own way out of poverty and travels through a world of characters epitomizing the colorful diversity of her nation. As Eva is narrating her fantastical life story, the novel paints a counterpoint in the biography (told in third person) of German immigrant Rolf, fleeing his own nation’s and father’s cruelty to a small town in Latin America where German immigrants create almost a Disneyfied version of their homeland, with chalets and dogs and candle making. As their tales intersect, Eva Luna tries to “live my life as I would like it … like a novel.”
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and War
jinmichae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really loved the writing of this book. It made for a very compelling story, and as soon as I was finished, I put several more of the books by the same author on my "to read" list.
The ups and downs of Eva's life, and the way she interacts with the people in her life, are the main focus. And she's such an interesting character in an interesting setting that it was hard to put down: I was always wanting to see what would happen next, and how the plot would resolve.
It's definitely dark in places: much of the story is set against corruption and political takeovers.
But there's a happy ending, which felt almost impossible with the odds placed against the characters, but I was glad for it. I don't need everything to be cold hard reality, and it was set up enough to feel like a satisfying payoff: even if it only exists because of a sometimes unreliable narrator. It's just a story, so why not let Eva tell it how she wants to?
Also, I adore Mimí. Her success and happiness might have been the best part of the whole book.
The ups and downs of Eva's life, and the way she interacts with the people in her life, are the main focus. And she's such an interesting character in an interesting setting that it was hard to put down: I was always wanting to see what would happen next, and how the plot would resolve.
It's definitely dark in places: much of the story is set against corruption and political takeovers.
But there's a happy ending, which felt almost impossible with the odds placed against the characters, but I was glad for it. I don't need everything to be cold hard reality, and it was set up enough to feel like a satisfying payoff: even if it only exists because of a sometimes unreliable narrator. It's just a story, so why not let Eva tell it how she wants to?
Also, I adore Mimí. Her success and happiness might have been the best part of the whole book.
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and War
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Trafficking
sofipitch's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was the kind of Allende's work that was a pleasure to return to. There is a trans character who is occasionally get's some out of date language/thinking when they are referred to but I was actually very surprised and pleased by how lovingly created she was. I only mention it bc this may not be the best read during great bouts of gender dysphoria
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Violence
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