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soffeg6's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
liri_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Rape, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
loxeletters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
But there were also some major issues I had, especially the way this book treats PTSD. Manuel's trauma is confronted in a way which I found distasteful and unrealistic. I would have liked to explore the topic of Pinochets dictatorship more in depth in general - I was hoping it would be a big theme in the book, that's why I picked it up - but instead it felt rushed and shallow. This may very well be also due to the diary format, which of course lends itself to a lot of telling and less showing.
My second big issue with the book was the way the big mystery was realised. For the first half of the book, we're wondering why Maya is in Chiloé. Once the Las Vegas Part of the story is told, however, the stakes felt suddenly quite low. I felt like they were all being a bit overdramatic. Then, in the last thirty pages, things suddenly pick back up again and everything devolves rapidly. The final solution regarding Arana was also very speculative for me... Not enough actual proof, only some speculation on Maya's part to eplain his role. It felt weird.
All that being said, I really enjoyed the setting of Chiloé and the community of the little island. Makes me want to visit actually! I liked the characters, though I was frustrated by Maya at times. I enjoyed the parts about the dictatorship and about her addiction. I also appreciated the dry, understated humour. Overall a mixed experience. I was told this is Allende's most "YA" work, and I'm excited to read more adult works by her.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Eating disorder, Incest, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Abortion
bee_solena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Physical abuse, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
sunflowerlu's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping