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jackelz's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
This wasn’t what I expected; I don't think the blurb accurately reflects the overall content of the book. The memoir is more of Sophia’s coming-of-age story during her last two years of high school and has very little has to do with her parents being in the CIA. I get that privacy prohibits much of that being shared, but the synopsis makes you think that is the plot. But I also understand that Sophia was in the position she was in because of her parents job. The story is all over the place, but that feels like her personality too.
I enjoyed the art style but at times it was hard to tell the characters apart.
Sophia mentions Hurricane Mitch and its effects. She helped out by packaging beans and rice in baggies to send to folks cut off from food. Mitch is the second-deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record, causing over 11,000 fatalities in Central America in 1998. And content warning, she has a nightmare and sees dead bodies piled up in mud.
She briefly mentions the poverty and the dangers of living in Central America, but I honestly would’ve loved to learn more. She acted so nonchalantly about all of this, and that came off very privileged.
Another content warning: Suicide is mentioned and depicted. Sophia attends a funeral for a classmate, and they had an open casket and was shown with a band-aid on their forehead.
The story ends with her coming back to America for college, and how she doesn’t fit in like she thinks she will. This is the story I want to hear.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment