The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
boxcar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Allende is my favorite author, I think that's clear at this point. I would like to outline some gripes I have with her though, present in this book but also throughout her work.
- pedophilia and sexual abuse of children is present in nearly all of her works. This isn't to say she glorifies it! The abuse is heinous and is written in no vague terms as evil and disgusting. I think stuff like this needs to make you uncomfortable, and it certainly does! Isabel Allende was sexually assaulted by a man as a child, and I can't imagine the trauma that entails, and I don't doubt that is a huge factor in its prevalence in her works. One of my favorite thing about her as an author is how much her characters and stories are infused with her voice, her life. Reading Paula and some interviews really gave me a different understanding of her fiction, so many parallels between life and writing. As a reader, I just want one or two books where she doesn't include child sexual abuse. As an author, she can write whatever the hell she wants, and I love her for doing just that. Ya dig?
- so many characters cheat! I know monogamy isn't some morally righteous position, and it isn't something that a "good" person needs to exemplify. It's just hard for me to like a character that is virtuous in all regards except for being unfaithful to a partner. Allende herself has been open about her own infidelity/affairs, and like every other part of her and her life it finds its way into her fiction. It's often more nuanced than a man or woman simply cheating for the sake of cheating, and love strikes quickly and doesn't take heed of societal expectations, at least in the world of Allende. I suppose that gets to the core of the matter. I love how Allende portrays love as visceral, impassioned and inevitable. It's a force to be reckoned with in her fiction: her romances are more profound to me than any other author, a big part of my love for Allende. So I get behind that love, feel it and then there's infidelity! Again, it's not a bad thing, and she's absolutely smashing it at making me feel complicated emotions. It's just sometimes disappointing, you know? But, that's life. Not a critique of Allende of an author, but rather me as a reader, I suppose.Â
(I hope no one reads these, I kinda write them without considering it's public.)
Graphic: Genocide, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Murder, Rape, Child abuse, and Death
cbarcenam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Torture, Death, Murder, and Rape
notsogabbygabby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Antisemitism, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, War, Deportation, Pedophilia, Racism, Trafficking, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, and Child abuse
achubb'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? No
4.5
Moderate: Deportation, Murder, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Genocide
Minor: Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Pedophilia
ainoiisa's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death of parent, Pedophilia, and Death
kathyovalle01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, War, Murder, Genocide, Deportation, Child death, Violence, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
mvanslam_2001's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Genocide, Pedophilia, and Death
elyssam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Death, Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: War, Child death, Xenophobia, and Deportation
flowerrunner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think the issue could be that somewhere between 60 and 80 percent it feels very drawn out, followed by a hastier end.
Overall, the book is very engaging, and I'd recommend it - I enjoyed the character driven approach.Â
Graphic: Abandonment, Rape, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Child death, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Car accident, Child abuse, War, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Body horror, Deportation, Domestic abuse, and Genocide
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Fatphobia, Dementia, Excrement, Medical content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Body shaming
katypicken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Car accident