lilcubana31's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deportation
louismunozjr's review against another edition
5.0
It's been almost a half year since I finished reading this book, and I'm still thinking about it - even though I often forget the name of the book and the author, LOL! I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager, because my struggles were so similar to our main character's! Unfortunately, I fared much less well than she did; even all these years later, I have so many regrets and so much bitterness. Coming back to the book, this author did an amazing job at bringing these people to life, and I hope you will pick up this book and read it.
cgreens's review against another edition
2.0
This book was fine, not what I expected based on the description, and got tiresome as it progressed. I'm a little suspicious when newer, younger authors (especially those who look suspiciously like their main characters) write a book centered on leaving home and going off to college. It makes me wonder if perhaps they haven't had enough life experiences to write about other topics, and this book in particular screams of a tweaked memoir passed off as fiction.
To me, there were several glaring problems.
First, there's supposed to be this big huge independence vs. family dichotomy, which would be great, except Lizet's family doesn't seem all that loving or capable of a single emotionally intelligent thought. They are all mean-spirited, callous, petty, and unable to think past the present moment. None are likable, and as a reader I experienced no internal tug whatsoever toward the possibility that Lizet should spend more time with them. The only one who stood out as mildly reasonable was Omar, and even he was strangely unable to grasp why a college education might be important.
Second, I'm not at all convinced that Lizet IS smart or capable enough to go to Rawlings, a fact that the story relies upon. She sounds like someone who would benefit GREATLY by going to community college before attending a college or university, learning how to properly cite her work, how to handle herself in an academic setting, study habits, etc. and then doing much better in that college once she transfers.
Third, I don't believe that the "typical white person" opinion of Ariel/Elian Gonzalez was depicted correctly. I was nine during that event and lived in a typical, largely conservative suburb and listened to teachers and friends' parents talk about this political issue. NONE of them thought that Elian should be sent back to Cuba. Their opinion was that America is the most glorious country of freedom, liberty, and justice, under God, undivided, for all, and we must save this godless communist soul that has washed up on our shores of liberty.
I typically enjoy rambling family dramas, but the problem with this novel is that in order to build up a book around unlikeable characters, the characters have to be nuanced and interesting. These characters were not. I didn't understand Lizet's dad's motivations or actions, nor did I find her mom sympathetic in any way. Lizet was fine to me, maybe only because I was also a very stupid new college admit who thought moving out of my parents' home was a big huge deal, and I also made frustratingly stupid mistakes that could have easily been prevented. This book was fine, I made it through and even looked forward to reading it, but it didn't impress me, and I can't think of anyone I would recommend this to.
To me, there were several glaring problems.
First, there's supposed to be this big huge independence vs. family dichotomy, which would be great, except Lizet's family doesn't seem all that loving or capable of a single emotionally intelligent thought. They are all mean-spirited, callous, petty, and unable to think past the present moment. None are likable, and as a reader I experienced no internal tug whatsoever toward the possibility that Lizet should spend more time with them. The only one who stood out as mildly reasonable was Omar, and even he was strangely unable to grasp why a college education might be important.
Second, I'm not at all convinced that Lizet IS smart or capable enough to go to Rawlings, a fact that the story relies upon. She sounds like someone who would benefit GREATLY by going to community college before attending a college or university, learning how to properly cite her work, how to handle herself in an academic setting, study habits, etc. and then doing much better in that college once she transfers.
Third, I don't believe that the "typical white person" opinion of Ariel/Elian Gonzalez was depicted correctly. I was nine during that event and lived in a typical, largely conservative suburb and listened to teachers and friends' parents talk about this political issue. NONE of them thought that Elian should be sent back to Cuba. Their opinion was that America is the most glorious country of freedom, liberty, and justice, under God, undivided, for all, and we must save this godless communist soul that has washed up on our shores of liberty.
I typically enjoy rambling family dramas, but the problem with this novel is that in order to build up a book around unlikeable characters, the characters have to be nuanced and interesting. These characters were not. I didn't understand Lizet's dad's motivations or actions, nor did I find her mom sympathetic in any way. Lizet was fine to me, maybe only because I was also a very stupid new college admit who thought moving out of my parents' home was a big huge deal, and I also made frustratingly stupid mistakes that could have easily been prevented. This book was fine, I made it through and even looked forward to reading it, but it didn't impress me, and I can't think of anyone I would recommend this to.
dja777's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love it, but it did keep me interested all the way through.
gabymck's review against another edition
4.0
The main character’s struggles are so real, I feel I’ve seen this girl in several people I’ve known. Great writing about a Hispanic girl navigating through college away from what she knew as “home”.
(The snow scene was not successful IMO, but I’m not from Miami so what do I know?)
(The snow scene was not successful IMO, but I’m not from Miami so what do I know?)
livingprose's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
amiett's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
irisameliareads's review against another edition
4.0
As a native Miamian and Cuban-American, this resonated with me in so many painful ways—most strongly the theme of familial betrayal by venturing to the northeast for college. I loved this book. While I was not a first-generation student, Crucet captured so much of the anguish surrounding balancing individuality with loyalty to The Family. And that struggle of identities—saying you're Cuban when you're not *from* Cuba, trying to explain the nuances—just rang so true. I knew this was going to be a hard read, and I'm glad I finished. Crucet captured how I felt, years ago, effortlessly. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
chrisralonso's review against another edition
5.0
Whew, ok. This one hit very close to home for a myriad of reasons. I remember the Elián González debacle, the hysteria, the news of the raid. But this book is also about the culture clash between the bubble that can be Miami and everything outside of it, how sometimes people not of a particular place will never understand the trauma of having something taken from them. Crucet weaves a back-and-forth between Lizet's (protagonist) time in college and her returns to Miami during her first year amid the madness of the custody battle. I'll say it, this book doesn't feel like a book most people outside of Miami will fully understand, but I urge you to strongly consider that. Like, some books aren't *meant* for you, and that's ok. So, this is all to say that I get Lizet's struggle with her family and herself, and how that's a thing that some people will forever carry with them.
asamandalouise's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, this book was a challenge for me. The main character was the most negative, whiny, selfish person I can remember reading about. I couldn’t get past it. From starting fights to spitting her own snot on a family member’s food... her arrogance was almost unbelievable to me, especially in contrast with her seeming lack of confidence. Page after page of self-sabotage and failing to see the love others were trying to give her. It was, simply put, a depressing read with no real bright side. Leidy, the sister, was far more worthy of being the protagonist and I’d rather have read a book centered around her life.