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korinnagarcia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Let me start this by saying that I very much enjoyed this book. As a second generation Mexican American, I related a lot to Olga and Prieto. Their struggle of feeling like they weren’t American enough or Puerto Rican enough and that both sides made them feel less than is something I think a lot of us deal with. I think this book can appeal to a lot of different people…there’s plot lines tackling subjects that range from loss, abandonment, identity and trauma to capitalism, elitism, privilege, corruption and radical revolution.
The book was a tad slow at first and was then jam packed at the end. The jump forward in time with a few lines about where everyone ended up felt very rushed but everything was wrapped up and it ended without any lingering questions. For this being the author’s debut novel, it was very ambitious and overall, it paid off.
Now for a bit of a rant about the mother, Blanca. It’s been a while since a literary character has made me so viscerally angry. Being a mother doesn’t justify manipulating your children when they don’t follow the life path you see fit, I’m sorry but you lost that “privilege” when you abandoned your children. Blanca had no right and all of the audacity! To abandon your children and then emotionally manipulate them by sending them insufferable letters throughout their lives, essentially scolding them for not being the “right kind of Puerto Rican”. I was enraged! I understand that she felt her life had more purpose and meaning and she never wanted to be a mother. I can even respect that she wanted to fight for her people and create real change in Puerto Rico… but then just do that lol stop dragging your poor children into it when you selfishly see fit. You can’t say you gave up your family for the greater good of Puerto Rico and to liberate the oppressed and then oppress your own children.
Now for a bit of a rant about the mother, Blanca. It’s been a while since a literary character has made me so viscerally angry. Being a mother doesn’t justify manipulating your children when they don’t follow the life path you see fit, I’m sorry but you lost that “privilege” when you abandoned your children. Blanca had no right and all of the audacity! To abandon your children and then emotionally manipulate them by sending them insufferable letters throughout their lives, essentially scolding them for not being the “right kind of Puerto Rican”. I was enraged! I understand that she felt her life had more purpose and meaning and she never wanted to be a mother. I can even respect that she wanted to fight for her people and create real change in Puerto Rico… but then just do that lol stop dragging your poor children into it when you selfishly see fit. You can’t say you gave up your family for the greater good of Puerto Rico and to liberate the oppressed and then oppress your own children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Abortion, and Gaslighting