A review by jessicaxmaria
Come Together, Fall Apart, by Cristina Henriquez
5.0
Part of the reason I love Hispanic authors so much is that their novels seem like cultural examples of my Latina heritage; I feel closer to the half of my family that lives in Panama.
However, [a:Cristina Henriquez|84994|Cristina Henriquez|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1239313892p2/84994.jpg] wrote this book of short stories that take place specifically in Panama. I've never read any stories or books with a Panamanian setting and revolve around Panamanian characters. The stories are beautifully written, and I plan on keeping up with Henriquez and her works.
As someone who is Panamanian-American, I've never read anything with a narrator that is actually, like me, Panamanian-American. One of the stories is from this point of view and it was unbelievable how much I related to it and how I'd never actually experienced that kind of connection to a character before; a complete cultural connection.
The titular novella, "Come Together, Fall Apart" ends the collection and I experienced quite a catharsis on finishing it & the book - I called my mother right away to talk to her about Panama and about teh book. And these opinions focus on my personal attachment, but I would recommend this book to everyone, if just to dive into a foreign country and relish in Henriquez' lovely prose.
However, [a:Cristina Henriquez|84994|Cristina Henriquez|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1239313892p2/84994.jpg] wrote this book of short stories that take place specifically in Panama. I've never read any stories or books with a Panamanian setting and revolve around Panamanian characters. The stories are beautifully written, and I plan on keeping up with Henriquez and her works.
As someone who is Panamanian-American, I've never read anything with a narrator that is actually, like me, Panamanian-American. One of the stories is from this point of view and it was unbelievable how much I related to it and how I'd never actually experienced that kind of connection to a character before; a complete cultural connection.
The titular novella, "Come Together, Fall Apart" ends the collection and I experienced quite a catharsis on finishing it & the book - I called my mother right away to talk to her about Panama and about teh book. And these opinions focus on my personal attachment, but I would recommend this book to everyone, if just to dive into a foreign country and relish in Henriquez' lovely prose.