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beachbookedd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
b00kh0arder's review
5.0
You wouldn't have thought that a story about the perils of illegal immigration, criminal exploitation and blackmail would make for a very funny book, but One Year of Ugly is WICKEDLY funny, often genuinely laugh-out-loud. Not to mention often as steamy as the carribean surroundings. Yola is a brilliant narrator but all of the characters are really well drawn (I kept envisioning Roman as looking very similar to Carlos from the new Resident Evil 3 remake for some reason XD), even the ones you wouldn't to spend any time with. It also made me aware of the refugee situation in Venezula and Trinidad (which I must shamefully admit, I didn't know much about). Author Caroline Mackenzie explains in her author's note that she chose to make this book a comedy because not only does comedy make a heavy subject more approachable but it engenders hope. And, even though it ends in a place of uncertainty, this is also a very hopeful book.
theeclecticreview's review against another edition
4.0
I was interested in this story because of the immigrant perspective in Trinidad. When a family is faced with an enormous debt left by "the family bitch", the dangerous payoff wreaks havoc in all sorts of bizarre ways.
Yola is a writer and translator who lives in Trinidad with her father, mother, and younger sister. When a gun-toting man named Ugly shows up at their barbeque demanding payment that the deceased Aunt Celia owed him, the Palacio family get to work off the debt by proxy or else. Meaning they get to host illegal immigrants from Venezuela for free in their home for an undetermined amount of time. What Yola doesn't see coming is the very attractive Román, Ugly's right-hand man, and "Surveillance Expert". A job he takes seriously when it comes to Yola. However, when Aunt Milagros goes crazy and accidentally shoots a guest with a pellet gun bringing unwanted attention to Ugly, she is saved by Román, unbeknownst to his employer. In the meantime, the family is forced to pay again by working at a high-end strip club and surprising secrets are soon revealed.
I love Yola's dedication to her Aunt Celia's memory. Aunt Celia sounded like a bold, take life by horns, kind of woman who lived life to the fullest. The funny antics she pulls on her cheating husband are hilarious. Yola seemed like the sensible one in the family (contrary to her schlepping an enforcer-type criminal) who keeps to herself and seems a bit lost without her Aunt Celia to talk to. Román's personality is a bit contradictory for his line of work which may have to do with his attraction to Lola. In fact, he turns out to be a good guy who helps Yola and her family more than once. Aunt Milagros, the religious spinster, is another one I liked especially when she started chainsmoking and walking around like Rambo with a pellet gun. There were several LOL moments considering the seriousness of the subject matter.
Overall, this was an engaging and informative story that touched on a lot of subjects including illegal immigration, prejudice, grief, and self-identity. If you enjoy contemporary fiction filled with serious issues, dark humor, and quirky characters, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Mackenzie for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Yola is a writer and translator who lives in Trinidad with her father, mother, and younger sister. When a gun-toting man named Ugly shows up at their barbeque demanding payment that the deceased Aunt Celia owed him, the Palacio family get to work off the debt by proxy or else. Meaning they get to host illegal immigrants from Venezuela for free in their home for an undetermined amount of time. What Yola doesn't see coming is the very attractive Román, Ugly's right-hand man, and "Surveillance Expert". A job he takes seriously when it comes to Yola. However, when Aunt Milagros goes crazy and accidentally shoots a guest with a pellet gun bringing unwanted attention to Ugly, she is saved by Román, unbeknownst to his employer. In the meantime, the family is forced to pay again by working at a high-end strip club and surprising secrets are soon revealed.
I love Yola's dedication to her Aunt Celia's memory. Aunt Celia sounded like a bold, take life by horns, kind of woman who lived life to the fullest. The funny antics she pulls on her cheating husband are hilarious. Yola seemed like the sensible one in the family (contrary to her schlepping an enforcer-type criminal) who keeps to herself and seems a bit lost without her Aunt Celia to talk to. Román's personality is a bit contradictory for his line of work which may have to do with his attraction to Lola. In fact, he turns out to be a good guy who helps Yola and her family more than once. Aunt Milagros, the religious spinster, is another one I liked especially when she started chainsmoking and walking around like Rambo with a pellet gun. There were several LOL moments considering the seriousness of the subject matter.
Overall, this was an engaging and informative story that touched on a lot of subjects including illegal immigration, prejudice, grief, and self-identity. If you enjoy contemporary fiction filled with serious issues, dark humor, and quirky characters, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Mackenzie for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
ruthlessly's review against another edition
2.0
i wanted this to be better so it started to really drag for me. this would be one of those books you read on holiday bc you need to expend no thoughts on it whatsoever. alas! this gal's mind is never on holiday!
tatish's review against another edition
5.0
It was a great read.
The complexity of the story kept me coming back to read about Yola, her aunt Celia & the rest of the Palacios
The complexity of the story kept me coming back to read about Yola, her aunt Celia & the rest of the Palacios
rosemwood's review against another edition
4.0
This was written in first person and I really enjoyed listening to Yola tell this story. It was witty, humorous, sarcastic, and sad at times. The story dealt with sensitive issues but I think by using Yola as the narrator helped the story. I loved the titles of each of the characters. The plot and character development flowed with this fast pace story.
hmetwade's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Stalking, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
hiyam92's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kirstycreads's review
funny
tense
- 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
5.0