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A review by savvylit
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
In reviews, Mariana Enriquez is often compared to Shirley Jackson. After reading Things We Lost in the Fire, I could easily see the merit in that comparison. Like Jackson, Enriquez subtly inserts just a touch of horror into everyday scenarios. This serves to remind readers that often the scariest things in life are our own minds or other people.
What makes Enriquez wholly unique, though, is her specific settings. Enriquez weaves Argentinian politics and culture into each of her stories. Oppression in particular is peppered throughout this collection in multiple passing mentions. Again, the casual nature of the unsettling events in this collection - which are fully based in reality - reminds readers that our own everyday lives can be horrific if we just look hard enough.
What makes Enriquez wholly unique, though, is her specific settings. Enriquez weaves Argentinian politics and culture into each of her stories. Oppression in particular is peppered throughout this collection in multiple passing mentions. Again, the casual nature of the unsettling events in this collection - which are fully based in reality - reminds readers that our own everyday lives can be horrific if we just look hard enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexual assault