sirenaluna's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
This coming of age story is told in vignettes of different events in the childhood of the main character and his brothers. Torres’ writing is beautiful, lyrical and breathtaking in a way that had me pause to read certain lines over and over again. It is definitely a shorter book, and some of the vignettes are a little vague/sparse, but this little book really digs itself a place in your heart and takes root.
Only thing is that I wish the ending had a bit more subtle build up throughout. There were some hints sprinkled in certain parts if you read back but I definitely think there could’ve been more to really drive the ending home. It is still impactful, but could’ve been much more so.
But overall, it is a beautifully story about a complicated family and how the consequences of the parent’s behavior manifest in their children.
As a Puerto Rican myself, I related to and understood a lot of the cultural aspects the book touches on, and especially loved how it critiques the machismo that is so prevalent in minority communities.
Only thing is that I wish the ending had a bit more subtle build up throughout. There were some hints sprinkled in certain parts if you read back but I definitely think there could’ve been more to really drive the ending home. It is still impactful, but could’ve been much more so.
But overall, it is a beautifully story about a complicated family and how the consequences of the parent’s behavior manifest in their children.
As a Puerto Rican myself, I related to and understood a lot of the cultural aspects the book touches on, and especially loved how it critiques the machismo that is so prevalent in minority communities.
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
bay22's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Sexual content, Child abuse, Cursing, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Racism, Grief, Hate crime, Blood, Body shaming, and Forced institutionalization
Near drowning CW. Dental medical injury CW.emma_hensley's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
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