Reviews

Mundo cruel by Luis Negrón

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planetakarina's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

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? Yes

4.25

joelanichols's review against another edition

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5.0

Mundo Cruel is a very slim volume of tiny stories that are funny, vicious and sharp. I loved the voice in these pieces, which is original, iconoclastic, hilariously funny and often sad. One great example is: (and I'm paraphrasing so forgive) when one of the characters briefly breaks the fourth wall and reflects that, like most Puerto Rican literary protagonists, he isn't sure about the role of the US in PR.

The first story ("The Chosen One") is heartbreaking for its depiction of familial homophobic violence and societal hypocrisy. The last story ("Mundo Cruel") is wildly but subtly satirical so you don't even realize you're being hosed until halfway through. And in between there vivid characters and relationships that I think will stick with a reader long after she's done with the book. Definitely read the one called "La Edwin," too, because it was hilarious.

angeybotas's review against another edition

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dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

toebean5's review against another edition

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3.0

Sharp and biting, but tender at times. Not the best, but so glad it exists.

monisreading_'s review against another edition

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3.0

I know this was brilliant, but I'm not sure I read it in the right moment. Didn't quite hit for me but I may return to it to see if it will in future.