Reviews

Η Ελένα ξέρει by Claudia Piñeiro

carlyf12's review against another edition

4.0

Ouch. A painful reminder of how things are so out of our control and we know nothing. Titles will never define us.

evanlorant's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This was a fantastic character study of a failing mother/daughter relationship centred on the issue of agency. I loved the parallels between Elena and Rita and Isabel, they were very well layered together. I will say the first 2/3 of the book were very slow, especially when I couldn’t tell where it was heading plot-wise. But it wasn’t unenjoyable for that portion either. The descriptions of Elena’s Parkinson’s tended to be quite graphic, which I think added to the theme of agency really well. Overall not my favourite read, especially because it was billed as a “crime novel” I was expecting more of an investigation kind of vibe, but by the end it did win me over! 

rachaelpattinson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

nikolettefries's review against another edition

3.0

So... a bunch of nothing happened but I somehow was mesmerized with the nothingness. I wish it had a deep actual resolution to Rita's thing, but she was a stupid biatch so I'm glad she did what she did. Didn't feel like I added anything in my life with this book but it doesn't feel like I wasted my time either.

I have to say tho that this is a great book in a way, but I just thought this was going in a whole different direction.

doreenparks's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

oliviasbooktalk's review against another edition

1.0

I hated this book, but not until the very end. Look up Content Warnings and do not read this if you are a caretaker for someone who is disabled.

clementine_lr's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kat1776's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

caklock's review against another edition

5.0

**Shortlisted for Booker International Prize 2022**
Wow, just wow. This slim book delivers a huge punch to the gut. Themes of motherhood, bodily autonomy, and the burdens of being a caretaker are interwoven as Elena makes her slow way across a city on a pilgrimage to solve the death of her daughter. The structure of the book was masterful and the more I reflect on the story, the more I realize that seemingly disparate threads are neatly woven into a single tapestry. I can't say reading this was an enjoyable experience, but it left me staggered by its impact. I will never forget it.

teapler's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.5