directorpurry's reviews
1456 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Infidelity, Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: War
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Bullying, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Addiction, Blood, Death, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Antisemitism
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What if your exorcist didn't believe in demons, in the supernatural, or even in God?
Hugo's wife is dead and he is deeply in debt. He works in Miami as a babaláwo - loosely, a spiritual man in West African religions who performs ceremonies and gives spiritual advice. Despite his non-belief, he makes the job work. When Alexi Ramirez, the man to whom Hugo owns the bulk of his debts, calls him, in desperate need of someone to cure his haunted home, Hugo sees a chance. Will his actions free him from debt or leave him owing something more than money?
I really enjoy political horror and A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens was exactly what I was hoping for! It was strange, it was fantastical. and it was current. Through the lens of the paranormal, Palma tours us through the emotional struggles of immigration, debt, marriage and infidelity, and the class system of America.
I found the writing to be engaging throughout and I really found myself to be enjoying the way the narrative wove back and forth through time, which is not always something I look for in a book. I found Hugo to be a very real and very flawed man, evoking emotional reactions throughout the story. I enjoyed very much being able to both root for and feel disappointed by him.
This is a perfect read for October - the frights of the paranormal and real life while still easing the nostalgia for summer with its Miami setting - or December - everyone loves a good Christmas horror story, right? I would highly recommend and I look forward extremely to reading more by Palma!
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Kidnapping, Child death, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Fatphobia
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Animal death and Medical content
Moderate: Child death
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Kidnapping
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Child death, Antisemitism, and Gun violence