rjozinga's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
vspinazola's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. A 3.5, I would give it. I actually appreciated it more when I realized afterward that this was based on a true story. I felt like the novel was of two parts, the first part (Teresa coming of age) not necessarily having all that much to do with the second (modern miracles and Mexican revolution), and despite the fact that the whole novel was about Teresa, I never really felt like I got to know her, or any of the characters, for that matter. I think Urrea might have tried to cross the line into magic realism while holding to a historical fiction format and that made it kind of challenging to follow.
hlparis's review against another edition
4.0
While it took me a bit to get captured by this story, I believe it was due to current life circumstances instead of the story. I was just too distracted. However, I kept at it, and once I got about halfway through, I was sucked in. I did not know what was going to happen, was saddened by some of the events, and became very thankful for running water. This story is well crafted and very interesting. Huila and Cruz were among my favorite characters.
"every moment of your life, every instant, looks like this. Do you see? You are always in a universe of choices. Any moment of your life can go in any direction you choose."
"most of us," Huila said, "trudge in a straight line. All day, every day, we march like sheep. Look straight ahead. What do you see?"
"we spend our lives walking into our own mirrors. All we see is ourselves as we walk down the road."
"every moment of your life, every instant, looks like this. Do you see? You are always in a universe of choices. Any moment of your life can go in any direction you choose."
"most of us," Huila said, "trudge in a straight line. All day, every day, we march like sheep. Look straight ahead. What do you see?"
"we spend our lives walking into our own mirrors. All we see is ourselves as we walk down the road."
gengray47's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️
I ADORED the first 75%, LOVED Huila, but then things kinda went downhill for me in the last quarter ... I kinda totally lost what was going on, who was who, i was bored. However, the majority I really really enjoyed!
I ADORED the first 75%, LOVED Huila, but then things kinda went downhill for me in the last quarter ... I kinda totally lost what was going on, who was who, i was bored. However, the majority I really really enjoyed!
shanviolinlove's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible adventure narrative! About halfway through I peeked at the book notes and realized this has a historical background, as author Luis Alberto Urrea shares a family tree with legendary Teresa of Cabora. Interesting account, from a narrative perspective, why Urrea chose a novel versus nonfiction to feature his great wealth of research into such a stunning epic. I love Urrea's work and look forward to reading this book's sequel soon!
amelia_agran's review against another edition
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
5.0
melissa_b_67's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Murder, Abandonment, Bullying, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Police brutality
beaniefromafar's review against another edition
5.0
I both hate and love Luis Urrea, his writing is amazing (both quirky and fun), however, he has a tendency to ramble on a bit about things that truly don't add to the plot. The book, however, was really good overall, I did find myself skimming and skipping paragraphs near the last 100 pages but I still enjoyed it regardless. I love the characters Tomas Urrea, Hulia, Cruz Chavez, and (obligatorily) Teresita. Even though it was a long book, I'm glad I had to read it for class because I really did enjoy it.
puglord's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
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
3.5
dave37's review against another edition
4.0
Lyrical, while still grounded in the everyday realities of life in rural Mexico in the late 1800s. Magical, yet paying equal tribute to the miracles of nature that surround us each day. I really enjoyed this one, and could have easily read another 500 pages about these characters.