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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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:
No
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me so I'll round up. An interesting look at the lives of multiple immigrants to this country. I was moved by their stories although something felt a bit canned. Each voice was too similar, perhaps? Still, a good book that makes me think I should read some memoirs on the subject instead of fiction. I'm glad I read it. "We do the best that we can."
A beautiful, ultimately heartbreaking story about a group of immigrants from a variety of Latin countries (Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and more) who live in a Delaware apartment building. Some are legal immigrants, some not, but their stories are compelling and end up intertwined in ways you couldn't of predicted when you first meet them.
This is a quiet story, but with twists and turns that compel you to turn the pages faster and faster to find out what happens to the characters. I really enjoyed it. A beautiful reminder that everyone has a story and we need to look past skin color and economic differences to discover them.
This is a quiet story, but with twists and turns that compel you to turn the pages faster and faster to find out what happens to the characters. I really enjoyed it. A beautiful reminder that everyone has a story and we need to look past skin color and economic differences to discover them.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
This book surprised me—in the best way. The Book of Unknown Americans tells the story of immigrant families living in a small apartment complex in Delaware, all trying to build a better life in the U.S. At the heart of it is Maribel, a teenage girl from Mexico recovering from a brain injury, and Mayor, a shy, awkward boy from Panama who falls for her.
Their relationship is sweet and raw, full of teenage intensity and vulnerability. But this book stands out because it doesn't just focus on them. Henriquez gives voice to all the people living in the building—people from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua—each with their background and reasons for coming to America. It gives the story this deep, layered feeling like you're getting a complete picture of a community rather than just one storyline.
It's not just about the immigrant experience but about the universal human experience of striving for a better life, facing challenges, and finding hope in the midst of adversity. I loved how the book quietly explores these families' struggles—language barriers, jobs that don't match their skills, homesickness, and the constant pressure to "make it." It's not flashy or over-the-top dramatic, just honest and heartfelt.
Even though some parts were heartbreaking (and yeah, the ending hit hard), it still leaves you with a sense of hope. These characters feel real, like people you might know or pass by daily without realizing their stories. And that's the magic of this book—it reminds you that behind every "immigrant" label, there's a person with dreams, fears, and a lot of courage. You'll find yourself connecting with them on a personal level.
It's worth reading if you want something to stir your emotions and provoke thought; it is beautifully written.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The variations in narrative voices gave a more complete picture of life in America as a new immigrant. Each character had his/her own hopes and dreams when they came to America and each had varying levels of success.
The ending of the book (despite the criticisms some held) was pretty satisfying, imho. The book was not a romance... but instead focused on portraying the impressions of a newcomer to America and the mystical "American Dream."
That being said, I was also sad that there was no news that Mayor or Maribel ever looked each other up later down the line. Given the current age of globalization and social media, it seems that this might be likely for two people who made such an impact on each other's lives.
I'd like to hope that life is a bit easier for immigrants these days, but I also feel this book is waaaay too accurate for it's own good. I found myself wondering if my own Italian grandfather fleeing WW2 would have felt the same way as these migrants from Latin America did when he first came to America. He certainly had his own struggles with language and culture. Would he have seen his struggles the same what these people went through? Would he have wanted it to be easier for them -- like I do? I can only hope that people start humanizing immigrants by reading books like these. We could all use a bit more humanity this day and age.
The ending of the book (despite the criticisms some held) was pretty satisfying, imho. The book was not a romance... but instead focused on portraying the impressions of a newcomer to America and the mystical "American Dream."
That being said, I was also sad that there was no news that Mayor or Maribel ever looked each other up later down the line. Given the current age of globalization and social media, it seems that this might be likely for two people who made such an impact on each other's lives.
I'd like to hope that life is a bit easier for immigrants these days, but I also feel this book is waaaay too accurate for it's own good. I found myself wondering if my own Italian grandfather fleeing WW2 would have felt the same way as these migrants from Latin America did when he first came to America. He certainly had his own struggles with language and culture. Would he have seen his struggles the same what these people went through? Would he have wanted it to be easier for them -- like I do? I can only hope that people start humanizing immigrants by reading books like these. We could all use a bit more humanity this day and age.
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book #7 completed for Book Riot Challenge 2017: "A book by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative"
It was about as heartbreaking and inspiring as I had hoped. Around the middle of the book, it began to lose to me with the teenage romance, but it picked right back up and cut right to the gut. It really made me think about getting to know people and where they're from and where they're going and what drives them. I feel like more people in our current society could use a reminder and maybe there would be less anger and hate.
It was about as heartbreaking and inspiring as I had hoped. Around the middle of the book, it began to lose to me with the teenage romance, but it picked right back up and cut right to the gut. It really made me think about getting to know people and where they're from and where they're going and what drives them. I feel like more people in our current society could use a reminder and maybe there would be less anger and hate.
There were a several plot points that made me go "hmmmmm, that wouldn't happen" or "I don't see how they would've been able to get away with that." But taking the book as a whole, and judging the overall tone, I can give it a solid 3-star rating*.
*I'm trying to be more true to the Goodreads star system so 3 stars = I liked it.
*I'm trying to be more true to the Goodreads star system so 3 stars = I liked it.
I LOVED this book. Wow. And I'm loving Cristina Henriquez. There was so much humanity in each of these "unknown Americans." Such richness and goodness and beauty. There were so many touching moments in this amazing book. The characters will stay with me for a long, long time. I highly recommend this wonderful book.