Reviews

beautiful language; loved the descriptions
magical realism be kinda cool maybe i should read more
the character was so cool and so brave

1 star docked cuz i rly coulnd't tell where the story was going & esp since she became a saint, it didn't seem like she had much or a clear motive/purpose? other than generally to heal

cluckingbell's review against another edition

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3.0

Highly readable with a lovingly rendered title character. Not sure it made a lasting impression on me, but I will likely read the follow-up as well.

alb05's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective 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? Yes

5.0

rjozinga's review against another edition

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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

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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

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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."

gengray47's review against another edition

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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!

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