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bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
The first third of this book was amazing. After a brief opening chapter, the story starts with Lizet Ramirez, a Cuban American, flying home for Thanksgiving her freshman year in college. She was born and raised in Miami in the midst of a Cuban community, so the first few months at an Ivy League school in upstate New York have been a severe adjustment. She is not even sure she is going to survive the semester.
Crucet does a brilliant job showing us—not just tellling, but showing—how different Lizet’s two worlds are. I was entirely on Lizet’s side as she tried to navigate the foreign world of an elite college, surrounded by students who had been raised practically since birth to be comfortable in that setting. Even the people who wanted to help her were unintentionally insulting and condescending.
But as the story went on, it became less and less compelling. Part of it had to do with editing—it meandered and dragged and I was sometimes tempted to skim. And although sometimes it was crystal clear why Lizet was angry, sometimes I couldn’t understand her reactions. It certainly is realistic that a 19-year-old in her position would be confused and conflicted, but after awhile her behavior just seemed random.
She was less than honest with practically every one, including some outright lies, and then angry at them for not understanding what she was experiencing. Adding in the story of Elian Gonzalez (thinly disguised as Ariel Hernandez in this book)—a 5-year-old Cuban refugee who became the center of an international conundrum in 2000—at first seemed like a brilliant way to mirror the conflicts Lizet faced, but eventually it added more complexity to the story than it could bear.
It’s an ambitious plot, but I don’t think it held together very well toward the end. Which is too bad, because during the first part I was ready to enthusiastically recommend it to all college students and anyone who has anything to do with them. The beginning really is remarkable.
Crucet does a brilliant job showing us—not just tellling, but showing—how different Lizet’s two worlds are. I was entirely on Lizet’s side as she tried to navigate the foreign world of an elite college, surrounded by students who had been raised practically since birth to be comfortable in that setting. Even the people who wanted to help her were unintentionally insulting and condescending.
But as the story went on, it became less and less compelling. Part of it had to do with editing—it meandered and dragged and I was sometimes tempted to skim. And although sometimes it was crystal clear why Lizet was angry, sometimes I couldn’t understand her reactions. It certainly is realistic that a 19-year-old in her position would be confused and conflicted, but after awhile her behavior just seemed random.
She was less than honest with practically every one, including some outright lies, and then angry at them for not understanding what she was experiencing. Adding in the story of Elian Gonzalez (thinly disguised as Ariel Hernandez in this book)—a 5-year-old Cuban refugee who became the center of an international conundrum in 2000—at first seemed like a brilliant way to mirror the conflicts Lizet faced, but eventually it added more complexity to the story than it could bear.
It’s an ambitious plot, but I don’t think it held together very well toward the end. Which is too bad, because during the first part I was ready to enthusiastically recommend it to all college students and anyone who has anything to do with them. The beginning really is remarkable.
nickscoby's review
3.0
I'm cheating because I stopped about mid way, but I am finished with it. I feel badly that I did not enjoy the book as much I desperately wanted to. Crucet is such a good writer but at times I felt like I was reading a draft in a writer's workshop where the assignment was "Spend 30 Minutes Describing a Chair" or something of that sort. There's just tooo much detail in places, almost as though she doesn't trust the reader. But when the book is good, it is GREAT, especially the sections set at Rawlings University. Crucet captures isolation, imposter syndrome and the pride of a first-gen student.
There appeared to be a love triangle brewing and I don't know how it turned out but I did feel affection for both young men, who were very different from one another but equally charming.
There appeared to be a love triangle brewing and I don't know how it turned out but I did feel affection for both young men, who were very different from one another but equally charming.
canaanmerchant's review
5.0
I generally don't like criticism that revolves around whether or not the reader "identifies" with the main character. Part of the fun of reading fiction is that the characters experiences are supposed to be different than your own.
And on the surface Lizet and I don't have much in common. She's a first generation Cuban-American who was raised in Miami and goes to upstate New York for college where she becomes the token minority she never had to be before.
Yet I couldn't help but see myself in Lizet's shoes as she struggles to make sense to of the world while living up to competing expectations. I had many of the same struggles and wished I could help direct Lizet on how could go on with all that pressure.
Instead I got lost in the wonderful story full of deft characterization, funny dialogue that made for many quotable moments, and an authentic voice for people growing up in the 21st century.
And on the surface Lizet and I don't have much in common. She's a first generation Cuban-American who was raised in Miami and goes to upstate New York for college where she becomes the token minority she never had to be before.
Yet I couldn't help but see myself in Lizet's shoes as she struggles to make sense to of the world while living up to competing expectations. I had many of the same struggles and wished I could help direct Lizet on how could go on with all that pressure.
Instead I got lost in the wonderful story full of deft characterization, funny dialogue that made for many quotable moments, and an authentic voice for people growing up in the 21st century.
esutto20's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
ktswings's review
4.0
Thoughtful examination of the challenges of first-generation students that exist both on campus and the return ‘home.’ An excellent read for faculty to further develop their schemas of the impact of social, cultural, and educational dynamics of students.
ajnsmiths's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This gritty novel beautifully captures the challenges of being a child of immigrants and deals with all the micro and macro aggressions one encounters. It also brings out the double-edged sword that higher education can be. The author not only presents it as a means of bettering the lives of the next generation but also the painful reality that many times accompanies it due to the separation it can cause between members of the same family.
drbex's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Excellent book, I will definitely be adding this to my Latinas class reading list. As someone who is the same age as the protagonist, there's a lot to connect with and recall from that time in my life. For my students, I see a lot of the family/culture elements that they bring up in class addressed in this book.
stiller_chrissy3's review
5.0
What a great story! I felt like I was there among the family in little Havana in Florida. Lizet is such a wonderful, strong young woman. It was funny, intense and emotional.