A review by life_full_ofbooks
Oye by Melissa Mogollon

funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

When I first read the synopsis for this I was really intrigued. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book whose sole narrative was that of a phone call, a one sided phone call at that. I started reading it and found the format to be so confusing (more on that later) and instead waited for the audiobook. I am so glad I did! It’s a fantastically poignant coming of age that tackles coming out, the death of a loved one, and figuring out a new position in the family beautifully. 

It’s early September 2017 and newly turned 18 Luciana is going through a crisis. In a phone call to her older sister, Mari, she explains how she and her mother are getting ready to evacuate Miami due to the impending Hurricanes Irma and her grandmother, Abue (pronounced ahb-way), is stubbornly staying put. In many different phone calls to Mari over the next 8 months Luciana discusses everything that’s bothered her, from not being accepted for who she is, to worrying about Abue’a health, and even how angry she is Mari isn’t coming home more. 

As I stated before the style of writing is one I’ve never seen before. The one sided dialogue works so much better than one might think, but the cutaways to the moments that previously happened and about which Luciana is telling Mari make this a very difficult and confusing read. I found the audiobook to be brilliantly done because while it’s read by one narrator, Elena Rey captures each character perfectly. 

I find it so hard to believe that this is Melissa Mogollon’s debut because while the style is unique, the content is moving. I cannot wait to see what else this innovative author has for us. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Hogarth for an adventure copy. I’m sorry it took so long for me to get to, but it was well worth the wait. Oye hit the shelves May 14th.