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sjffy's review against another edition
4.0
Less plot-driven than I usually go for, but the language was absolutely delicious. It captivated me.
katie_is_dreaming's review against another edition
Rating: 7/10
This was interesting as a project, but wasn’t emotionally engaging for me, even with the harrowing subject matter. I felt like it was more of a cerebral project than an emotional one.
I admired the commentary on collecting, framing, and archiving, but I wasn’t invested in the story, not even in the story of the missing children.
It’s a clever book, and I thought it was nicely written, but I think there are more engaging books on this subject out there for me to find.
Blog: awonderfulbook.com | Instagram: katiemotenbooks | Twitter: katiemotenbooks
This was interesting as a project, but wasn’t emotionally engaging for me, even with the harrowing subject matter. I felt like it was more of a cerebral project than an emotional one.
I admired the commentary on collecting, framing, and archiving, but I wasn’t invested in the story, not even in the story of the missing children.
It’s a clever book, and I thought it was nicely written, but I think there are more engaging books on this subject out there for me to find.
Blog: awonderfulbook.com | Instagram: katiemotenbooks | Twitter: katiemotenbooks
lisanreads's review against another edition
5.0
Unlike most wonderful books, I did not want to race through to the end. The haunting prose caused me to slow down and savor her writing. I plan to reread again soon as well as listen to the audio book.
The audiobook is incredible, too.
The audiobook is incredible, too.
lratkinson's review against another edition
4.0
The switch of POV halfway through the book is what made this narrative the brilliant and important work that truly brings home the plight of migrant children.
zelagnumdg9068's review against another edition
3.0
I went into reading this book expecting there to be a much greater focus on migrant children and their experiences at the border. There actually isn’t a whole lot of that, outside of some meta-fictional, story within a story, elements. This is more of a familial drama with a narrator who seems detached from everything around her and her struggle with how to tell a story about migrant children. I think, in this way, my expectations kept me waiting for something that this book wasn’t supposed to deliver, so I couldn’t truly enjoy it. Between this and the detached narrative style it was hard for me to grow attached to anything that was happening. Eventually there is a narrator shift that was much more interesting to me and saved the book but overall there was too much going on to feel satisfied.
slickrocknana4's review against another edition
4.0
Just now finished reading - inhaling - this amazing book and I'm still feeling the rhythm of the words, feel like I am walking in the desert, under the blazing sun, among the bones and the echos. It takes me back to my own desert hiking/over-heating (knowing what that feels like, though for me it is always VERY temporary), and to my visit to the deathspots in the AZ desert where hundreds, thousands die and lose their way as they seek safety in an ever more inhospitable country. The stories (this one and the real ones) will haunt me for a long time.
I do agree with some other reviewers' comments, especially in relation to the missing living-breathing Native Americans (again, still), but I did appreciate the tidbits reminding me of some of our sad history. And while the symbolism is heavy-handed, for me it reinforced the dream-like, sunstroke feel of the book and left me feeling emotionally strung-out.
I do agree with some other reviewers' comments, especially in relation to the missing living-breathing Native Americans (again, still), but I did appreciate the tidbits reminding me of some of our sad history. And while the symbolism is heavy-handed, for me it reinforced the dream-like, sunstroke feel of the book and left me feeling emotionally strung-out.
jillybebe's review against another edition
2.0
Did not finish. I abandoned ship at chapter 11 after realizing that I had completely tuned out of this audiobook several states back. The author presents a political stance that is thinly veiled as a novel. And while I actually agree with her politics, I resent hers being falsely presented as fiction. If you want to preach your politics, write non-fiction. Also, her reading voice drones on and on as it preaches. I am not a fan of authors whose narcissism dictates that they must read their own work. This is a prime example of when an author is so narcissistically enmeshed in her own political perspective, she can barely move past it to write proper fiction. No mas.
raven88's review against another edition
5.0
The Lost Children Archive is just so apt as a novel of our present time, as one New York family embark on a road trip to Mexico, and a stream of children and young adults travel from Central America to Mexico in a perilous mission to reach America. Contrasting the easy affluence of the American family with the worn down lives of those in search of a better life, this book is deeply moving and beautifully articulated. A travesty this didn't make the Booker shortlist...
juliemowat's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed review on this book. While it is well written, it is wordy and you have to think a lot when the narrator is the mama. I could see reading this for a class but it didn't bring a lot of pleasure to me. Glad I finished it but would only recommend to a few. The ending makes sense-really enjoyed the ending. But overall left rather uninspired and a little somber..
katiejean7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0