readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit, this one took me a while to get into. The de La Cruz family is big, so there are lots of characters to keep track of through multiple generations. On top of that, the storyline shifts from past to present, to further in the past, and back again. I was working so hard to keep track of who everyone was, I didn’t have much headspace left for what Urrea was doing on a deeper level.
Something happened though in the last third of the book that brought it all together for me. Big Angel and Little Angel had those conversations lying in bed together, maybe being as honest as they’d ever been with each other. It was painful, it was awkward, but their honesty really got me in the feels. Even as I could see how sad Big Angel’s situation was, I thought how sweet and good it was for him to have a chance to say the things he needed to say to the people who mattered most to him. It made me think about what constitutes a “good” death. I think Big Angel had as good a death as anyone could hope for.
Another aspect that resonated for me was Big Angel’s reflection on things he had done in the past that he regretted or felt guilty about. It seems like a given, even a cliché maybe, to say that no one lives a perfect life, but if we’re lucky enough to live as long as Big Angel, we’re going to do things that hurt others, things that haunt us, things we would take back if we could. I really admired Big Angel’s efforts to face those things squarely and own them, and then to try to atone for them. The line when he says, “I am so dirty”—who hasn’t felt that way? That feeling that if people really knew you, they wouldn’t love you anymore? Big Angel’s struggle with those feelings made me want to give him and his whole family a big hug.
I read another book by Urrea, [b:Into the Beautiful North|5970496|Into the Beautiful North|Luis Alberto Urrea|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327878828s/5970496.jpg|6143535], a while back, so I knew to expect dashes of his signature humor, and I was not disappointed in that regard. The scene at the border with the parrot in the cleavage! Perhaps not what we’ve come to expect from a story about crossing the border, but damn, that’s comedy gold. I’m glad I stuck with this one because by the end I realized I’d gotten a lot out of it.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Something happened though in the last third of the book that brought it all together for me. Big Angel and Little Angel had those conversations lying in bed together, maybe being as honest as they’d ever been with each other. It was painful, it was awkward, but their honesty really got me in the feels. Even as I could see how sad Big Angel’s situation was, I thought how sweet and good it was for him to have a chance to say the things he needed to say to the people who mattered most to him. It made me think about what constitutes a “good” death. I think Big Angel had as good a death as anyone could hope for.
Another aspect that resonated for me was Big Angel’s reflection on things he had done in the past that he regretted or felt guilty about. It seems like a given, even a cliché maybe, to say that no one lives a perfect life, but if we’re lucky enough to live as long as Big Angel, we’re going to do things that hurt others, things that haunt us, things we would take back if we could. I really admired Big Angel’s efforts to face those things squarely and own them, and then to try to atone for them. The line when he says, “I am so dirty”—who hasn’t felt that way? That feeling that if people really knew you, they wouldn’t love you anymore? Big Angel’s struggle with those feelings made me want to give him and his whole family a big hug.
I read another book by Urrea, [b:Into the Beautiful North|5970496|Into the Beautiful North|Luis Alberto Urrea|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327878828s/5970496.jpg|6143535], a while back, so I knew to expect dashes of his signature humor, and I was not disappointed in that regard. The scene at the border with the parrot in the cleavage! Perhaps not what we’ve come to expect from a story about crossing the border, but damn, that’s comedy gold. I’m glad I stuck with this one because by the end I realized I’d gotten a lot out of it.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
juliagulia330's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
afox98's review against another edition
5.0
What a story. Big Angel, the patriarch of a large Mexican immigrant family, is turning 70 and is wracked with cancer. He knows he doesn't have much time so plans a huge last birthday party. But his mother dies at 100 just prior to the party, so everyone must get through the funeral first. Spanning just a few days, this book is sweet, harsh, sad, funny, beautiful, uncomfortable, and heartwarming. The interactions of the multiple generations of the sprawling family and each of their perspectives on major life events in their shared and separate histories present an all-encompassing view into what complex family life is really like. Some of it was relatable, some of it wasn't, but I laughed, cried, felt despair, and felt hope throughout. One of the best books I've read this year, and it will stay with me for a while.
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Squarely in the realm of I can appreciate the book more than I might like it, though my opinion has grown after discussion and after weeks of continuing to consider. That alone says something: I've been thinking about both story and writing often since finishing. That's an impact I have to honor.
As a multi-generational story of family and dynamic, it succeeds equally as glimpse of a specific experience and as evocation of the universal. I wasn't a fan of the instances of vulgarity or crassness, but they did speak to the story world, and I have to ponder why I find that easier to accept in visual stories than in written. I am also unresolved on whether the comparatively minor and flat characterization of the few female characters was intended to make a point or simply a weakness of the author, but the fact I can make a case either way is intriguing.
I am even more resolved to read more from this writer, and I'm confident that like or dislike, it will be a beautiful and worthwhile journey.
audiobook note: I'm not generally a fan of author narration (outside of a few notable exceptions), but the narration was an integral part of my reading experience. As I was toggling between print and audio, often using one to reread and reinforce the other, Urrea's voice, even if only in my mind, enhanced the lyricism of the prose. His technical skill may not equal those for whom this is a profession, but in a way the slight gaps and variances grounded the storytelling in a way that I didn't anticipate.
As a multi-generational story of family and dynamic, it succeeds equally as glimpse of a specific experience and as evocation of the universal. I wasn't a fan of the instances of vulgarity or crassness, but they did speak to the story world, and I have to ponder why I find that easier to accept in visual stories than in written. I am also unresolved on whether the comparatively minor and flat characterization of the few female characters was intended to make a point or simply a weakness of the author, but the fact I can make a case either way is intriguing.
I am even more resolved to read more from this writer, and I'm confident that like or dislike, it will be a beautiful and worthwhile journey.
audiobook note: I'm not generally a fan of author narration (outside of a few notable exceptions), but the narration was an integral part of my reading experience. As I was toggling between print and audio, often using one to reread and reinforce the other, Urrea's voice, even if only in my mind, enhanced the lyricism of the prose. His technical skill may not equal those for whom this is a profession, but in a way the slight gaps and variances grounded the storytelling in a way that I didn't anticipate.
lexirtaylor2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
k80_jack's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nordstina's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
A large extended family gets together for both a funeral and a birthday in The House of Broken Angels, which I enjoyed. I will say I spend much of this book trying to connect how each person was related to one another. Big Angel is sick and approaching the end, so he wanted to throw one final birthday bash for himself. In the lead up, his mother dies. The extended family (with all the drama) comes together to celebrate the life of both of them and old feuds arise. This was an engaging tale, and Urrea is a great writer. Will have to explore more.
ellenreading_theend's review against another edition
5.0
What’s better than a family saga full of complicated people who deeply love each other in messy ways? Nothing. I feel so much tenderness for these characters after the journey with them. There were moments I learned from, moments I related to, and so many moments that made me emotional. I’m so glad I bought this years ago and remembered it when I saw it on a list from @2bookornot2book — it was a journey I’d gladly go on again and again.
abeljquintero's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-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
4.0
matthewchoi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5