lmpf2012's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Argentinian historical fiction
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking story about the Dirty War in Argentina, and about the children of the disappeared. A big (and well-done) dose of magical realism.
duhig002's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
Disturbing. Powerful. Moving. Fantastic. This book was a such an amazing read! This was added to my TBR a million years ago, and I remembered nothing about it, so I as I opened the book and I had no idea what this book was about. I was expecting a fairytale...and I kind of got it? I could see this being an expanded Grimm tale, easily.
The language of this book was truly beautiful. It occasionally had a poetic, stream-of-consciousness-like prose that I luxuriated in even as I squirmed about the topic. The topic of this book is deeply uncomfortable - I didn't have much exposure to this episode of history (excluding one Law & Order episode, strangely enough), but there was enough content here that my ignorance didn't detract from my ability to grasp the content of the book.
At 236 pages, this book was certainly short, but it didn't feel overly brief or lacking in content. The story arc felt natural, the pace was consistent, and the originality of the story was compelling as well. My main gripe of the book was the dialogue - it was extremely weak. There was a lot of "That's not what I said"s, and the character generally sounded less intelligent or engaged when they were speaking.
I recommend this book to all readers, while it definitely covers uncomfortable topics, that doesn't mean it should be skipped.
The language of this book was truly beautiful. It occasionally had a poetic, stream-of-consciousness-like prose that I luxuriated in even as I squirmed about the topic. The topic of this book is deeply uncomfortable - I didn't have much exposure to this episode of history (excluding one Law & Order episode, strangely enough), but there was enough content here that my ignorance didn't detract from my ability to grasp the content of the book.
At 236 pages, this book was certainly short, but it didn't feel overly brief or lacking in content. The story arc felt natural, the pace was consistent, and the originality of the story was compelling as well. My main gripe of the book was the dialogue - it was extremely weak. There was a lot of "That's not what I said"s, and the character generally sounded less intelligent or engaged when they were speaking.
I recommend this book to all readers, while it definitely covers uncomfortable topics, that doesn't mean it should be skipped.
jhigginbottom's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another really contemplative work by De Robertis. A very interesting take on the other side of The Process. Perla is very compelling and it’s an emotional journey to read her learnings.
atran122's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
Picked this up after enjoying Cantoras. Although I didn't like it quite as much, it was still a riveting book that had a haunting and emotional take on magical realism. De Robertis's writing continues to enthrall me.
lanagabriela99's review against another edition
5.0
One of my absolute favorite books of all time. The only novel that has literally made me shed physical tears while reading it.
maplessence's review
5.0
Now I have a wonderful dilemma - I gave De Robertis powerful first novel 5 stars, but her second book is even better!
Powerfully written, with beautiful lyrical language, this is the tale of one young girl's life in the time of The Disappeared in Argentina. I was so drawn into Perla's story that I didn't even see the twists coming.
I can't wait for Di Robertis third novel (due next year) & she is one of my new favourite authors!
Best fiction I have read this year!
Powerfully written, with beautiful lyrical language, this is the tale of one young girl's life in the time of The Disappeared in Argentina. I was so drawn into Perla's story that I didn't even see the twists coming.
I can't wait for Di Robertis third novel (due next year) & she is one of my new favourite authors!
Best fiction I have read this year!
hekate24's review against another edition
5.0
Read Harder 2017 category: Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author.
Oh, man, I hardly know what to say about this one. It was poetry. It chewed me up and spat me out. It made me teary-eyed at the end and it's been a while since a book has done that. It makes me want to write better and get at the heart of things, just like this.
Oh, man, I hardly know what to say about this one. It was poetry. It chewed me up and spat me out. It made me teary-eyed at the end and it's been a while since a book has done that. It makes me want to write better and get at the heart of things, just like this.