karinam12's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
keekbeeek's review against another edition
5.0
Excuse me while I pick up the pieces of my heart that broke away reading this collection of short stories. I am speechless. Kali Fajardo-Anstine writes like Cisneros or Alvarez-- raw and poignant but intertwined with hope. Fajardo-Anstine writes beautiful, dark stories about generational oppression and colonialism and it's effects on LatinX communities--especially women. Themes of mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mother/daughter relationships were portrayed with a depth that is felt to the core. Each story had my heart breaking, but also had my heart lifting because there is still beauty in the world-- you just have to know where to look. Bravo!
savgonzales's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
kodi_rae's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Mental illness
Moderate: Colonisation, Racism, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
cthulhussy's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
emilydrojas's review against another edition
4.0
Sabrina and Corina is a collection of beautifully written short stories all with similar heart wrenching themes. These short stories all feature a familial relationship (mother & daughter, cousins, sisters, aunt & nephew, to name a few) and explore difficult human experiences.
As with most short story collections, I always have favorites that stick out. In this collection I loved Sugar Babies, Sisters, and Tomi.
As with most short story collections, I always have favorites that stick out. In this collection I loved Sugar Babies, Sisters, and Tomi.
darthvargas's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
madiviolet93's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
taffy_sea's review against another edition
4.0
Characters come to life within few pages; Colorado is vibrant in these stories, underpinning everything. There's darkness here, stark between the poetic words and life Fajardo-Anstine breathes into the people and places she writes. Reminded me of Louise Erdrich's writing, though this collection is certainly original. It's a voice and perspective I was glad to read, and resonated with me as I visited Denver for the first time and remembered to look beyond street names and Western motifs and wonder about the people who lived there first, who still live there. I put this book down two days ago, and many of the characters have stayed with me, the first and last stories especially.
If you like captivating stories, the American West or or complex female characters, or if you haven't read or thought about indigenous Latinas... read this.
If you like captivating stories, the American West or or complex female characters, or if you haven't read or thought about indigenous Latinas... read this.