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hacasper21's review against another edition
4.0
Finally finished it! I've started this book more than a few times in the last several years but always lost interest within a few chapters. This time I decided to plow through, and sometimes that's exactly what it felt like. I think what has turned me off to this book is exactly what makes it a classic from Latin America: mountains of description with little dialogue, the presence of magic and organization according to events rather than chronology. It wasn't until the last few chapters of the book that I discovered the beauty of the whole story. The end of the book brings the beginning into focus. If you can hang in past the halfway point, it will all start to make sense.
karlys_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
Alba no pudo describirlo mejor: "Una historia inacabable de dolor, de sangre y de amor"
De verdad wow. Es que está historia ha cambiado tanto en mí.
Fue difícil y dura de leer, sobre todo por los temas que toca, muy fuerte todo. Y pasa tanto en muy pocas páginas! Es de esos libros que hay que leer con cuidado y paciencia, saboreando cada palabra y relato con toda el alma. Simplemente, maravilloso. La prueba más digna de la historia cultural y política de Latinoamérica. Cada persona es un mito y una realidad. El ambiente político y social es crudo y real, la magia y sincretismo enredados en el medio le dan un toque inolvidable. Y la narrativa de Isabel... UFF. Es que en serio amo como escribe esta mujer. Claro que llega a ser pesado, a ser cansado incluso, pero vale totalmente la pena, simplemente no podía darle a este libro más que mi más completa atención.
Me daba miedo que no superara mis expectativas con Cuentos de Eva Luna, pero definitivamente los superó. Y con ESE final, no pude más que volver a leer las primeras páginas de esta obra maestra.
Btw.... No sé cómo le hizo para que el maldito desgraciado de Esteban Trueba se ganara mi compasión y entendimiento al final... Te amo Clara, te amo Tránsito Soto, Rosa, Blanca y Alba. Grandes mujeres ficticias, grandes historias en un contexto donde no se le da suficiente voz a las mujeres.
De verdad wow. Es que está historia ha cambiado tanto en mí.
Fue difícil y dura de leer, sobre todo por los temas que toca, muy fuerte todo. Y pasa tanto en muy pocas páginas! Es de esos libros que hay que leer con cuidado y paciencia, saboreando cada palabra y relato con toda el alma. Simplemente, maravilloso. La prueba más digna de la historia cultural y política de Latinoamérica. Cada persona es un mito y una realidad. El ambiente político y social es crudo y real, la magia y sincretismo enredados en el medio le dan un toque inolvidable. Y la narrativa de Isabel... UFF. Es que en serio amo como escribe esta mujer. Claro que llega a ser pesado, a ser cansado incluso, pero vale totalmente la pena, simplemente no podía darle a este libro más que mi más completa atención.
Me daba miedo que no superara mis expectativas con Cuentos de Eva Luna, pero definitivamente los superó. Y con ESE final, no pude más que volver a leer las primeras páginas de esta obra maestra.
Btw.... No sé cómo le hizo para que el maldito desgraciado de Esteban Trueba se ganara mi compasión y entendimiento al final... Te amo Clara, te amo Tránsito Soto, Rosa, Blanca y Alba. Grandes mujeres ficticias, grandes historias en un contexto donde no se le da suficiente voz a las mujeres.
mandrea's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Favorite line: "He had the awkward tenderness of someone who has never been loved and is forced to improvise."
Favorite line: "He had the awkward tenderness of someone who has never been loved and is forced to improvise."
jenbare's review against another edition
4.0
I would have given this five stars, but the book had hardly any dialogue, which made it a slog to read at times
louberry360's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
dioniziah's review against another edition
4.0
Hierba mala nunca muere!! Esteban, espero que la pases muy mal en el infierno.
ali_lauder's review against another edition
4.0
i’m sorry how long was her head unburied in the box?!
forzasusan's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into it but it was worth the effort. Very lovely writing and unforgettable characters.
stulley04's review against another edition
4.0
While it took me awhile to get into the plot, and the alternating narrative structure, I found myself more and more engrossed as I went on. It was a dense read, in my opinion, but I enjoyed the character development and subtle weaving in of magical realism elements into the story. Most of the other members of my book club did not enjoy the story and struggled at times with the character and density of the prose. I, however, found it engaging. It's definitely not a book for everyone, but if you can make it through I think it is definitely worth the time.
It was the first book of Allende's that I've read, and I cannot wait to read more.
It was the first book of Allende's that I've read, and I cannot wait to read more.
tennnnny's review against another edition
3.0
i was hoping to love this book but it just kind of fell flat for me. i am a big fan of intergenerational stories, and when i look up book recommendations, this is usually one of the first to pop up.
unfortunately, i found it to be a really slow read. i didn't like the narrative style, which switched from 1st person (esteban trueba's perspective) to 3rd person omniscient. [unimportant?] spoiler (?): the 3rd person narrator turns out to be one of the other characters, which we find out in the epilogue, but it came off as very predictable and on-the-nose to me.
don't get me wrong, this book wasn't bad by any means. i enjoyed the portrayals of generational trauma/familial cycles/similarities, and the subject matter was interesting. i liked the exploration of different political ideologies, how people come to hold their views, and how/why they may change/evolve over time. the themes of disillusionment of your country/government/people is very relevant today.
overall, had my expectations been lower, i probably would have liked this book more. not bad, but not great.
unfortunately, i found it to be a really slow read. i didn't like the narrative style, which switched from 1st person (esteban trueba's perspective) to 3rd person omniscient. [unimportant?] spoiler (?): the 3rd person narrator turns out to be one of the other characters, which we find out in the epilogue, but it came off as very predictable and on-the-nose to me.
don't get me wrong, this book wasn't bad by any means. i enjoyed the portrayals of generational trauma/familial cycles/similarities, and the subject matter was interesting. i liked the exploration of different political ideologies, how people come to hold their views, and how/why they may change/evolve over time. the themes of disillusionment of your country/government/people is very relevant today.
overall, had my expectations been lower, i probably would have liked this book more. not bad, but not great.