stephsousa's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
kschlarman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
thatwhichmeowsalsohisses's review
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
this book was rly sad tbh because it described the life of valentina, who marries a coffee farmer and we see how their livelihoods are affected by the imperialism of spain and america. it’s sad watching how little control they had over their own lives because of the unjust rule of other countries, and the poverty is drove them to. the subject matter of the book was really interesting and unique, and the only reason i gave it a 3.75 is because it a little slow and boring sometimes and the author also incorporates lots of spanish words which is really cool but hard to understand because it’s so many. really helps to practice ur vocab tho lol. i think this book wouldve been really hard to read at first if i hasn’t taken high school spanish.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
sas408's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
saborlitino's review
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Esta historia fue fantástica. A pesar de tener unos pocos momentos torpes en la narración, la autora me llevó efectivamente al principio del siglo XX en Puerto Rico y Hawaii. Los eventos trágicos experimentados por los Vega representa la explotación profunda de los obradores en la sombra colonial de los Estados Unidos. Al final, siento que la autora faltó una gran mensaje para la conclusión, pues no fue súper satisfactorio. Gracias a Marisel Vera por toda la investigación y historia obscura en esta obra importante.
districtreads's review
4.0
I picked up THE TASTE OF SUGAR by Marisel Cruz after a glowing review by @bookofcinz - and this book moved me deeply.
Spanning seven decades of Puerto Rican history, the book reveals stories of Puerto Rican joy, grit, endurance, pain - including the tragic treatment of the “puertorriquenos" and Japanese laborers in the Hawaiian sugar plantations.
There’s a vibrant cast of characters In this novel - from Raul Vega, the patriarch and a womanizer - to his son, Vicente, a coffee farmer who falls in love with an upper-class woman named Valentina. Valentina, a survivor, ends up leaving her comfortable city life to live and work with Vicente on his farm. Love is a common theme threaded thoughout this book - romantic love, familial love, the love a mother has for her children, and sacrificial love.
Cruz sheds light on Puerto Rico’s long history of being treated poorly by the nations that colonize it. When the Spanish-American War leads to Puerto Rico moving from Spanish to American ownership, the Vega family’s fortunes change rapidly. A devastating hurricane adds to their grief as the Vega family loses almost everything they have built and even more tragically - some of the people they love. They are forced to make a choice - stay in poverty, or try their chances in the Hawaiian sugar plantations.
Written in a mix of Spanish and English, I recommend keeping a dictionary at hand if you’re not a native or confident speaker - however there is always enough context to figure out what was said. The Spanish writing throughout add to the story - you truly feel immersed in the history and the Vega family’s lives.
I highly recommend this read for fans of Pachinko, magical realism, and Rosario Ferré.
Spanning seven decades of Puerto Rican history, the book reveals stories of Puerto Rican joy, grit, endurance, pain - including the tragic treatment of the “puertorriquenos" and Japanese laborers in the Hawaiian sugar plantations.
There’s a vibrant cast of characters In this novel - from Raul Vega, the patriarch and a womanizer - to his son, Vicente, a coffee farmer who falls in love with an upper-class woman named Valentina. Valentina, a survivor, ends up leaving her comfortable city life to live and work with Vicente on his farm. Love is a common theme threaded thoughout this book - romantic love, familial love, the love a mother has for her children, and sacrificial love.
Cruz sheds light on Puerto Rico’s long history of being treated poorly by the nations that colonize it. When the Spanish-American War leads to Puerto Rico moving from Spanish to American ownership, the Vega family’s fortunes change rapidly. A devastating hurricane adds to their grief as the Vega family loses almost everything they have built and even more tragically - some of the people they love. They are forced to make a choice - stay in poverty, or try their chances in the Hawaiian sugar plantations.
Written in a mix of Spanish and English, I recommend keeping a dictionary at hand if you’re not a native or confident speaker - however there is always enough context to figure out what was said. The Spanish writing throughout add to the story - you truly feel immersed in the history and the Vega family’s lives.
I highly recommend this read for fans of Pachinko, magical realism, and Rosario Ferré.
ancmeredith's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0