caitlyn888's review
5.0
What a gripping memoir. Jaquira Diaz lived more life in her first 21 years than most people do in eighty. She overcame so many hardships - assimilating to American life after moving from Puerto Rico, living with an abusive mother who suffered from schizophrenia and addiction, and enduring poverty, rape, prison, and homophobia in the Navy. It's a truly remarkable tale that comments upon womanhood, American politics, racism, sexuality, and family.
romazizza's review
5.0
Third and final read for my creative writing class this semester… I’m so glad I read this book. Memoirs have always intrigued me as a genre, but I could never get over the nonfiction stigmas. Despite the other memoirs I read for this class, this one didn’t do any preaching about its writing style or gave tips on how to write better, but it simply told a story.
There was so much power and passion in Diaz’s story, it felt overwhelming at times. Due to an assignment, I read this book quickly in a short 3 days, fitting in pages between classes. But it was also an insanely addicting read. Her life is so incredibly complex and honestly kinda insane. It’s amazing to see how people can live multiple lives before finally getting to the one where they feel comfortable and can live their truth. The themes in this book are intense (violence, drugs, SA), so if any of that bothers you, I strongly advise to watch out before reading, as these things are discussed in graphic detail.
Such a beautifully heartbreaking glimpse into the life of a young woman who is battling her identity, something that anyone can relate to.
There was so much power and passion in Diaz’s story, it felt overwhelming at times. Due to an assignment, I read this book quickly in a short 3 days, fitting in pages between classes. But it was also an insanely addicting read. Her life is so incredibly complex and honestly kinda insane. It’s amazing to see how people can live multiple lives before finally getting to the one where they feel comfortable and can live their truth. The themes in this book are intense (violence, drugs, SA), so if any of that bothers you, I strongly advise to watch out before reading, as these things are discussed in graphic detail.
Such a beautifully heartbreaking glimpse into the life of a young woman who is battling her identity, something that anyone can relate to.
katreadsalot's review
4.0
This story was gut-wrenching and heartfelt portrait of a girl growing up. I'm so glad I read it.
getlitwithamy_'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
This is a beautifully crafted memoir that reads like a novel. Díaz covers many tough topics including mental illness, drug use/addiction, and suicide, so please take care of yourself when reading and keep these trigger warnings in mind
Reading a story written in the perspective of a queer Afro-Latina woman was a great Hispanic Heritage Month. I haven’t read enough books with Afro-Latina protagonists - fiction and nonfiction - so ORDINARY GIRLS was a great place to start
My only negative about this book is that I felt like the ending was a little rushed. There was a lot happening and being covered in the last 30 pages and it took a while for me to realize that the conclusion was coming
Otherwise, this was a really great book and an incredible story about Díaz’s journey in Puerto Rico and Miami.
Reading a story written in the perspective of a queer Afro-Latina woman was a great Hispanic Heritage Month. I haven’t read enough books with Afro-Latina protagonists - fiction and nonfiction - so ORDINARY GIRLS was a great place to start
My only negative about this book is that I felt like the ending was a little rushed. There was a lot happening and being covered in the last 30 pages and it took a while for me to realize that the conclusion was coming
Otherwise, this was a really great book and an incredible story about Díaz’s journey in Puerto Rico and Miami.
valeriaperez261's review
Maybe I’ll come back to it, when I’m more emotionally stable ❤️
preciouslittleingenue's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Such a brave, beautifully vulnerable narrative. To allow oneself to relive such traumas enough to authentically replicate them for mass production to be read by thousands is just so brave. The Sapphlit interview with Jaquira Diaz was so enlightening and inspiring. The care she takes with herself and with her words, for the sake of the mental safety of those reading her stories, is so beautiful.
Her way of crafting her real life into almost a mythological tale, like La Llorona (who she mentions) is so fascinating and effective.
“My brother and I, we were the same: part monster, part mouse.” So incredibly demonstrative of how people who do horrible things are often cowards, and also shows the empathy Diaz has for even the people who hurt her the most.
Regarding the woman terrorist who attacked as a radical form of protesting for Puerto Rican liberty:
“mentions…anything related to who she was or what she did. Instead, the headline mentions her fucking. Red. Lipstick.” Yup. That sounds about right. Obviously not that this woman was “in the right,” and I don’t think Jaquira thinks that either. But because it was a woman…all they see is the red lipstick. My rage FLARED when I heard that line.
“…slowly, slowly, love you back to life.” What a beautiful sentiment. I absolutely know what she means.
Not to mention all the bi panic that was so enlightening to hear, her insight on racism/colorism, the way she touched upon the strange nuance of queerness in the military/navy…just so much good stuff. So very glad this was Sapphlit’s September book. Cannot wait to read her novel in progress.
Her way of crafting her real life into almost a mythological tale, like La Llorona (who she mentions) is so fascinating and effective.
“My brother and I, we were the same: part monster, part mouse.” So incredibly demonstrative of how people who do horrible things are often cowards, and also shows the empathy Diaz has for even the people who hurt her the most.
Regarding the woman terrorist who attacked as a radical form of protesting for Puerto Rican liberty:
“mentions…anything related to who she was or what she did. Instead, the headline mentions her fucking. Red. Lipstick.” Yup. That sounds about right. Obviously not that this woman was “in the right,” and I don’t think Jaquira thinks that either. But because it was a woman…all they see is the red lipstick. My rage FLARED when I heard that line.
“…slowly, slowly, love you back to life.” What a beautiful sentiment. I absolutely know what she means.
Not to mention all the bi panic that was so enlightening to hear, her insight on racism/colorism, the way she touched upon the strange nuance of queerness in the military/navy…just so much good stuff. So very glad this was Sapphlit’s September book. Cannot wait to read her novel in progress.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Drug abuse, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
secretbeeparty's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
a very informative story regarding the intersections of race, mental illness, generational trauma, queerness, and being a woman. jaquira is a powerful force and makes it very clear that “ordinary girls” are deserving of peace, love, and protection — even when the environment and people surrounding you make it feel impossible.