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A review by smolhousewitch
Libertad by Bessie Flores Zaldívar
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Libertad is an evocative queer coming of age story set in Honduras during the political turmoil of 2017.
I knew very little about Honduras before reading this book and Zaldívar does an incredible job situating the reader in all that the setting entails: the anxiety of the political tension, the weather of Honduras, the people and smells and day to day rhythm of living in Tegucigalpa. I was immersed in Libertad's story from the first page.
I cried steadily through the last hundred pages. Libertad's journey, without spoiling anything, is incredibly emotional and beautiful - and as a queer reader, I loved the moments of queer joy, love, and possibility woven into the narrative. I also believe that being queer means being open to all the possibilities and seeing the beauty in what can be instead of what is - a powerful message that counterbalances the overwhelming political turmoil Libertad is living through.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I firmly believe it should be on everyone's TBR - it's a beautiful narrative that tells an important story, illuminating experiences that most Westerners have little understanding of.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Zaldívar and I shared an office during grad school and I was honored to receive an early copy of one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
I knew very little about Honduras before reading this book and Zaldívar does an incredible job situating the reader in all that the setting entails: the anxiety of the political tension, the weather of Honduras, the people and smells and day to day rhythm of living in Tegucigalpa. I was immersed in Libertad's story from the first page.
I cried steadily through the last hundred pages. Libertad's journey, without spoiling anything, is incredibly emotional and beautiful - and as a queer reader, I loved the moments of queer joy, love, and possibility woven into the narrative. I also believe that being queer means being open to all the possibilities and seeing the beauty in what can be instead of what is - a powerful message that counterbalances the overwhelming political turmoil Libertad is living through.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I firmly believe it should be on everyone's TBR - it's a beautiful narrative that tells an important story, illuminating experiences that most Westerners have little understanding of.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Zaldívar and I shared an office during grad school and I was honored to receive an early copy of one of my most anticipated reads of the year.