Reviews

The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle

user7643's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.0

euhfubeuh's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This was an interesting and complex commentary on immigration, growing xenophobia, the American Dream, and the struggles of overpopulation and unemployment. The story depicts the collision of two couples during their respective experiences after a car accident; one dealing with homesickness and homelessness, the other with great loss and paranoia.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Deportation

Moderate: Animal death, Hate crime, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy

shadylane00's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-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

3.0

chava81's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

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

1.0

katiehopbooks's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

2.0

avilanivuad's review against another edition

4.0

Ooof. Because I'm such a Flannery O'Connor fangirl, I have to say yes. This book was so unbelievably gritty - almost to the point of putting it down and never picking it up again. Not my favourite but definitely deserving of four stars. If Betty Smith had only written it...

jgelmini's review against another edition

2.0

I really like the concept of this book. It shows two sides of the debate on immigration, the immigrant desperately trying for a better life and the citizen whose greatest fortune was being born in the US. What I didn't like was how no one seemed to grow or change with the exception of one of the main characters, Delany, who went from a naive idealist to an racist prick.

The writing wasn't anything of notes but the concept of the book keeps me from saying that I didn't like it entirely.

nanshii's review against another edition

A story that didn't age well. It's a super poorly written account of a white man's perspective on immigration. 

ljebb's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

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

3.5

andreamanuel13's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-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? Yes

4.5