jz_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
this book is joaquin murieta's ted bundy cosplay. except I'm pretty sure Joaquin murders like a hundred times the amount of people.
crystall_library's review against another edition
Read for Senior Thesis class, Spring 2021
maddyschue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
notsochattymadi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
devinboehmer's review against another edition
2.0
2 1/2.. Not my favorite out of what I've had to read for my pulp fiction class so far. It didn't hold my interest at all (and it's a short book to begin with) and I really disliked the structure (no chapters?). Not worth the read for me.
carodonahue's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating view into a historical period. The first novel published in California, in the 1850s, and the first to feature a Mexican-American hero. Also written by a Native American. Definitely reflective of the attitudes of the time period, and most interesting to read as a historical artifact. The story moves along and the series of introductions, both those written at the time the book was published and those written in the present for this edition, are fascinating.
daringpeg's review against another edition
5.0
The introduction at the start of the text is an intriguing tale all on its own as it tells of the basis behind the story and the life of the author. It is incredible to read of how many times he story was plagiarized and rewritten. I strongly recommend than anyone who reads his book reads all of the 50 page introduction.
The story itself is an unusual one. The 'hero' of the book is a bandit and murderer and yet is the one whom the reader is driven to look up too. The detail is beautifully done concerning all aspects of the tale. The descriptions, the characters, and the very aspects of violence contained within the pages masterfully done to illicit a reaction from the reader and a respect for Joaquin Murieta.
The story itself is an unusual one. The 'hero' of the book is a bandit and murderer and yet is the one whom the reader is driven to look up too. The detail is beautifully done concerning all aspects of the tale. The descriptions, the characters, and the very aspects of violence contained within the pages masterfully done to illicit a reaction from the reader and a respect for Joaquin Murieta.