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othersociologist's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
liaannee's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A book about hopeless romance- from the guérillas and the hostages alike- and how love persists in captivity and in grief.
Patchett writes as if completely removed from the situation, as if we’re watching a telenova and doing housework at the same time, which balances out how sentimental everything might feel otherwise. It’s slowly paced with a million vignettes. There’s even the sliiiightest hint of magical realism here, if we consider opera and music to be magic. In the end, I didn’t feel as much of an emotional gut punch as I expected. It was a bit more like waking up from a dream, or a nightmare, and everything blurring together as I forget reality, as the characters all do.
Patchett writes as if completely removed from the situation, as if we’re watching a telenova and doing housework at the same time, which balances out how sentimental everything might feel otherwise. It’s slowly paced with a million vignettes. There’s even the sliiiightest hint of magical realism here, if we consider opera and music to be magic. In the end, I didn’t feel as much of an emotional gut punch as I expected. It was a bit more like waking up from a dream, or a nightmare, and everything blurring together as I forget reality, as the characters all do.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Gun violence
lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
To review after book club
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
jamieclower's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Extraordinary, heartbreaking, confusing... This will stay with me for a while. This starts and ends with bombastic action, and the middle is quiet moments of life in a fascinating container.
I absolutely loved the thread music played through this and enjoyed pulling up mentioned songs to help set the tone. I also loved the multicultural perspectives and use of a lovable translator character to connect and bridge.
I absolutely loved the thread music played through this and enjoyed pulling up mentioned songs to help set the tone. I also loved the multicultural perspectives and use of a lovable translator character to connect and bridge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
constructism's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
I did love this book, anyone who begrudges the descriptions of the life changing magic of opera has not listened to enough opera!! I can't wait to read the annotated version because girl that epilogue...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty and Infidelity
hurricaneherder's review against another edition
dark
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
earthling_jesss's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
kransom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
metr0w0man's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Mass/school shootings
nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Now that's a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual content