Scan barcode
meghanallis's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mersell's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book overall, but finished it somewhat dissatisfied. Fajardo-Anstine can write. Her descriptions are beautiful and original, and her dialogue is natural. This book has many compelling elements: 1930s Denver, magical visions, sharp-shooting grandmother, etc. But it's almost like the author was trying to do too much in 300 pages. The story spans multiple generations of an Indigenous Chicano family in Colorado, with leaps across several different time periods, each one interesting in its own right. But sometimes it feels like a generational novel, sometimes it feels like a legal activism novel, sometimes it feels like a coming-of-age novel, and these different elements don't quite weave together enough to feel cohesive.
I gave this four stars because it *is* good reading. Interesting characters and settings and poetic descriptions (though I could do with less "he/she/it smelled of..."). But the promise of the novel is never quite fulfilled.
I gave this four stars because it *is* good reading. Interesting characters and settings and poetic descriptions (though I could do with less "he/she/it smelled of..."). But the promise of the novel is never quite fulfilled.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
I create themed book boxes and I chose this book for a Colorado box. I have lived in Colorado for nearly five years and as much as I know of the Denver area, I'm still learning. Woman of Light is very much rooted in Denver and it was exciting to encounter familiar locations.
I work at a local bookstore and I've heard to much love for Fajardo-Anstine. I understand. Her writing is marvelous, especially her vivid character development. This story follows many members of an extended family and each had a strong personality. Although there is much heart break during the story, the characters also have a lot of love for one another. It's a beautiful family saga for fans of historical fiction.
I work at a local bookstore and I've heard to much love for Fajardo-Anstine. I understand. Her writing is marvelous, especially her vivid character development. This story follows many members of an extended family and each had a strong personality. Although there is much heart break during the story, the characters also have a lot of love for one another. It's a beautiful family saga for fans of historical fiction.
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
3.0
I read the Woman of Light during Hispanic American Heritage Month and although the writing and timeline transitions seemed a bit uneven, I learned a lot about a community and time period I really knew nothing about. I would round this up to 3.5 stars.
Woman of Light opens in the late 1800s with the birth of a baby boy, Pidre, who is abandoned in a Moses-like passage and is rescued and raised by the Sleepy Prophet of the tiny pueblo, Pardona. As timelines shift, we follow the journey through generations of an Indigenous Hispanic family. The primary focus, however, is Luz and her urban life in the Denver of the 1930s, and it seemed to be more about Luz's coming of age in a time where prejudice against Hispanic and Indigenous cultures abounded. But these were the people - as happens in many cultures across time - who kept the upper class afloat with their skilled work, farming assistance and sewing and mending.
As tea leaf reader who inherited mystical traits from her grandmother, Luz is torn between wanting to help her family and to be and do more with her life. Luz lives with her brother and their aunt Maria Josie, a remarkably strong woman who recognizes and is unafraid to confront the harsh realities of life. When her brother is attacked by an angry group of white men, he flees to California, leaving Luz heartbroken. The treatment of Hispanic and Indigenous families of the time in Denver, was appalling although it probably shouldn't be surprising. I was surprised at the strong presence of the Ku Klux Klan and like fanatical groups. It must have been terrifying to be non-white and see the hordes of white clad men and women coming down the street!
I admired Luz's quest for a better life, but I also felt like she made several questionable decisions. Understanding she's young, her taste in men seemed reckless especially if her goal was to find a man who will protect her from other men. Although Pidre is ostensibly the patriarch of the family, strong women seem to be the backbone of this family. I felt Luz could have been a stronger character having descended from strong women like her aunt and grandmother.
I read this on audiobook and felt the narration could have been better as well. It just seemed flat at times for such an emotional and dramatic story. Thank you to Libro.FM and Penguin Random House Audio for my complimentary copy.
Woman of Light opens in the late 1800s with the birth of a baby boy, Pidre, who is abandoned in a Moses-like passage and is rescued and raised by the Sleepy Prophet of the tiny pueblo, Pardona. As timelines shift, we follow the journey through generations of an Indigenous Hispanic family. The primary focus, however, is Luz and her urban life in the Denver of the 1930s, and it seemed to be more about Luz's coming of age in a time where prejudice against Hispanic and Indigenous cultures abounded. But these were the people - as happens in many cultures across time - who kept the upper class afloat with their skilled work, farming assistance and sewing and mending.
As tea leaf reader who inherited mystical traits from her grandmother, Luz is torn between wanting to help her family and to be and do more with her life. Luz lives with her brother and their aunt Maria Josie, a remarkably strong woman who recognizes and is unafraid to confront the harsh realities of life. When her brother is attacked by an angry group of white men, he flees to California, leaving Luz heartbroken. The treatment of Hispanic and Indigenous families of the time in Denver, was appalling although it probably shouldn't be surprising. I was surprised at the strong presence of the Ku Klux Klan and like fanatical groups. It must have been terrifying to be non-white and see the hordes of white clad men and women coming down the street!
I admired Luz's quest for a better life, but I also felt like she made several questionable decisions. Understanding she's young, her taste in men seemed reckless especially if her goal was to find a man who will protect her from other men. Although Pidre is ostensibly the patriarch of the family, strong women seem to be the backbone of this family. I felt Luz could have been a stronger character having descended from strong women like her aunt and grandmother.
I read this on audiobook and felt the narration could have been better as well. It just seemed flat at times for such an emotional and dramatic story. Thank you to Libro.FM and Penguin Random House Audio for my complimentary copy.
abbyplatt's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this but felt like it was missing some closure. The ending was pretty abrupt.
jgsearls's review against another edition
I think I would do better with a Kindle or paper version. I really struggled to understand character names and moving from chapter to chapter.
inspectorpadget's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I read the audiobook and if that's accessible to you, I highly recommend that format. I was fully engrossed in this multi-generational tale of an indigenous Chicano family in the West from the 1800s to the 1930s. I am not typically pulled towards historical fiction, but I think me loving this is a testament to someone adoring this who is not a huuuuge historical fiction reader!
This book explored so much, and mostly focused on Luz, who lives in Denver, and like most of the women in her family, has the gift of sight/clairvoyance. She works as a tea reader and seamstress, and I thought the illustration of the racism, sexism and misogyny she experienced was done mindfully. I loved the magical realism elements of this for their family. I appreciated the exploration of what it means to be family, how community helps you through hard times, and though there was so much pain and loss, I felt the story ultimately left me hopeful because of the family/community narratives.
a content warning expanded/explained: KKK presence in Denver
I read the audiobook and if that's accessible to you, I highly recommend that format. I was fully engrossed in this multi-generational tale of an indigenous Chicano family in the West from the 1800s to the 1930s. I am not typically pulled towards historical fiction, but I think me loving this is a testament to someone adoring this who is not a huuuuge historical fiction reader!
This book explored so much, and mostly focused on Luz, who lives in Denver, and like most of the women in her family, has the gift of sight/clairvoyance. She works as a tea reader and seamstress, and I thought the illustration of the racism, sexism and misogyny she experienced was done mindfully. I loved the magical realism elements of this for their family. I appreciated the exploration of what it means to be family, how community helps you through hard times, and though there was so much pain and loss, I felt the story ultimately left me hopeful because of the family/community narratives.
a content warning expanded/explained: KKK presence in Denver
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
ordinarypickle's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
tlinnst's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5