vereisnthere's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Police brutality, Sexism, Torture, Car accident, War, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Violence, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia and Xenophobia
star_wanderer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Moderate: Death, War, Sexual content, Sexism, Racism, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Grief
tortilla_lea's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and War
phoebe_phorreal's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I admit I related more to Patria and Dedé at first than Maria Teresa (Mate) and Minerva, but they all won me over by the end of this soul-baring novel of a suffering but brave and loving family, imperfect but still strongly devoted in its own way. There's a reason Mate's "I can write the saddest things tonight" is so memorable, and Alvarez captures each voice perfectly- Patria's unconventional faith; Minerva, strong and struggling; Dedé, exasperated but thoughtful; and Mate, soulful and poetic.
This is a novel devoted to freedom, written both as a call to reflection and to action, and it truly both breaks your heart and makes you smile. I cannot recommend it enough. Read it if you're interested in Dominican history, sure, but most importantly, read it to free somebody else, as Alvarez says when she quotes Toni Morrison, even if that may be a somebody you never meet.
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief