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towardinfinitybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I enjoyed this MG novel about a young Chilean girl coming of age and experiencing exile during the days of a dictatorship in her country. The language is lyrical and vibrant (kudos to the translator!) and themes of family, friendship, bravery, and identity are conveyed well.
However, the book is less successful from a historical fiction perspective. The author should have included an afterword to explain her choices in artistic license and provide historical context. For instance, the Chilean president in 1973 was Allende not Alarcón and Pinochet's military dictatorship lasted 17 years not two years.
I appreciate that the author did not shy away from themes like the "disappeared", oppression, and poverty. But there is no mention about how the coup came about and the involvement of the United States and the CIA. The book was published 14 years after the CIA admitted their active support so it would have been known at that point. While inclusion of these details may not make sense in the first-person narrative o a young girl as the protagonist, it is needed in an afterword so targeted readers understand and learn about the actual events of Chilean history.
However, the book is less successful from a historical fiction perspective. The author should have included an afterword to explain her choices in artistic license and provide historical context. For instance, the Chilean president in 1973 was Allende not Alarcón and Pinochet's military dictatorship lasted 17 years not two years.
I appreciate that the author did not shy away from themes like the "disappeared", oppression, and poverty. But there is no mention about how the coup came about and the involvement of the United States and the CIA. The book was published 14 years after the CIA admitted their active support so it would have been known at that point. While inclusion of these details may not make sense in the first-person narrative o a young girl as the protagonist, it is needed in an afterword so targeted readers understand and learn about the actual events of Chilean history.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Police brutality, and Classism
evhanson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Police brutality, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Antisemitism, and Abandonment
nubiani's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and War
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