teekraenzchen's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
elippow's review against another edition
cher_n_books's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars - It was alright, an average book.
At its core, this is a satirical analysis of the all too common misunderstandings and misconceptions that occur between different demographics. It is filled with characters that share with you their inner thoughts, and these hosts serve up plenty of racism, classism and sexism.
While I applaud the author's brazen ability to tackle controversial issues head on without sugar coating the more virulent and shameful behaviors of one man to another, the novel subsequently often had a bitter, toxic feel. I found myself sometimes not wanting to pick it back up because it fouls your mood.
While I appreciate the author's skill in evoking emotion from his reader, as a consequence in this case, it detracted from the enjoyability of the novel. The novel also progresses very slowly, and when you reach what you expect to be the climax with a quick wrap-up to follow, you realize you actually still have about a 1/3 of the novel to go -- a very slow, drawn out third.
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Favorite Quote: She who laughs alone is remembering her sins.
First Sentence: Scott Torres was upset because the lawn mower wouldn’t start, because no matter how hard he pulled at the cord, it didn’t begin to roar.
At its core, this is a satirical analysis of the all too common misunderstandings and misconceptions that occur between different demographics. It is filled with characters that share with you their inner thoughts, and these hosts serve up plenty of racism, classism and sexism.
While I applaud the author's brazen ability to tackle controversial issues head on without sugar coating the more virulent and shameful behaviors of one man to another, the novel subsequently often had a bitter, toxic feel. I found myself sometimes not wanting to pick it back up because it fouls your mood.
While I appreciate the author's skill in evoking emotion from his reader, as a consequence in this case, it detracted from the enjoyability of the novel. The novel also progresses very slowly, and when you reach what you expect to be the climax with a quick wrap-up to follow, you realize you actually still have about a 1/3 of the novel to go -- a very slow, drawn out third.
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Favorite Quote: She who laughs alone is remembering her sins.
First Sentence: Scott Torres was upset because the lawn mower wouldn’t start, because no matter how hard he pulled at the cord, it didn’t begin to roar.
mobcob's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling exploration of the differences in lives between the flashingly rich and their help. I enjoyed the glimpses into life in Mexico City and the Mexican diaspora in the LA area. I was also grateful for the happy ending, as so many endings publicized are not.
riotsqrrrl's review against another edition
3.0
The plot was interesting and ambitious with so many plot lines but I feel like it went into too much depth on too many characters (like the radical protester in the end, I was like tmi). I also never fully connect with female characters written by men — parts of Araceli didn’t feel authentic or deep enough.
andrenaemin's review against another edition
5.0
A slow read at the beginning but once you persevere, it is very fascinating.
lizmart88's review against another edition
4.0
The plot of this book is something that might be a chapter or two in another book, but Hector Tobar stretches it into a fairly long novel without ever making it feel too long. I couldn't put this book down. The writing was beautiful, and the characters were so interesting.
The premise is a software mogul millionaire living with his wife and 3 kids in an elite neighborhood outside LA. They have a gardener, a nanny, and a housekeeper. Money troubles lead to firing the gardener and the nanny, leaving just the housekeeper, Araceli a Mexican immigrant. When the parents get into a fight, Araceli is suddenly left alone with the kids.
The book explores race and class, families and friends, the justice system and immigration through the effects of one event on this family.
Highly recommend!
The premise is a software mogul millionaire living with his wife and 3 kids in an elite neighborhood outside LA. They have a gardener, a nanny, and a housekeeper. Money troubles lead to firing the gardener and the nanny, leaving just the housekeeper, Araceli a Mexican immigrant. When the parents get into a fight, Araceli is suddenly left alone with the kids.
The book explores race and class, families and friends, the justice system and immigration through the effects of one event on this family.
Highly recommend!
wilygecko's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the book and it brought some insight into the debate over illegal immigration from Mexico.
budokanwarp's review against another edition
3.0
This one pains me. The author, in my opinion, had great intentions and fleshed out some really fantastic characters that felt like they were picked out straight from OC (where I'm from, so I can verify this). There were great vignettes like the party in SanTana and how the entire neighborhood knew everyone's chisme. But the plot itself felt flimsy and so did some of the decisions these characters made. I feel like this is a book intended to teach a lesson, but it's one I already know. A decent book for me, maybe relevatory for others.
skyroxy's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book well written about the class and race divide in Southern California. Each of the characters are very well drawn out and it brings out an example rarely thought of, even by those who live with similar issues in South Florida where I live.
Scott and Maureen live a benign clueless life until they decide that they can't take the risk to tell the truth about Areceli.
Areceli is a strong, prod character with flaws of her own.
There is quite a bit of Spanish in this book, but it is usually very apparent what is being said. Although I have a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish s I don't know how it would be for someone who had no knowledge of the language.
I love when a book with an interesting premise is so well written. I highly recommend this book to all.
Scott and Maureen live a benign clueless life until they decide that they can't take the risk to tell the truth about Areceli.
Areceli is a strong, prod character with flaws of her own.
There is quite a bit of Spanish in this book, but it is usually very apparent what is being said. Although I have a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish s I don't know how it would be for someone who had no knowledge of the language.
I love when a book with an interesting premise is so well written. I highly recommend this book to all.