A review by patroclusbro
Cantoras by Caro De Robertis
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
"They were happy. There were not used to being happy. The strange feeling kept them up too late together, giddy with victory and amazement. They had done it. They were out. They had shed the city like a hazardous garment and come to the edge of the world."
I have always been wanting to learn more about queer elders, but in recent years I think there has been a tendency to write those stories for teen audiences rather than adults. Not really my tea any more!
If you feel similar, you have to check out this book: De Robertis writes about the struggles and dreams of a group of Cantoras - women loving women - in 1970s and 1980s Uruguay. Craving for some breath outside of Montevideo, where the dictatorship closes in around them bit by bit, the five of them take a short trip to the coast. Away from curious eyes, new hope and lust - and companionship! - sparks. Over the years, they come back time and time again, growing older, growing closer, growing apart, making up, resisting, dreaming, loving.
There is a richness to the characters and landscape that I loved! It was so easy to stumble into this world and open my heart for these women. The contrasts between the city and Cabo Polonio flow freely, there is a gentle but irresistible pull to the story. I also learned a lot about Uruguay, its people and political dynamics.
My main point of criticism: I wished that this book could have been longer! I wanted to spend more time with the characters. Rather than being told what happened to them during the time jumps, I wanted to see it first-hand. I would have read 500 pages of this, at least.
I also want to set a BIG trigger warning for suicide, told from the close, stay safe!
I have always been wanting to learn more about queer elders, but in recent years I think there has been a tendency to write those stories for teen audiences rather than adults. Not really my tea any more!
If you feel similar, you have to check out this book: De Robertis writes about the struggles and dreams of a group of Cantoras - women loving women - in 1970s and 1980s Uruguay. Craving for some breath outside of Montevideo, where the dictatorship closes in around them bit by bit, the five of them take a short trip to the coast. Away from curious eyes, new hope and lust - and companionship! - sparks. Over the years, they come back time and time again, growing older, growing closer, growing apart, making up, resisting, dreaming, loving.
There is a richness to the characters and landscape that I loved! It was so easy to stumble into this world and open my heart for these women. The contrasts between the city and Cabo Polonio flow freely, there is a gentle but irresistible pull to the story. I also learned a lot about Uruguay, its people and political dynamics.
My main point of criticism: I wished that this book could have been longer! I wanted to spend more time with the characters. Rather than being told what happened to them during the time jumps, I wanted to see it first-hand. I would have read 500 pages of this, at least.
I also want to set a BIG trigger warning for suicide, told from the close, stay safe!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Sexual harassment