Scan barcode
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweeping historical epic covering three generations of two families: the Tabors, who are aristocratic land-owners; and the Prieto clan, the servants/peasants employed by the Tabors. Through these families the reader learns something of the history of El Salvador from about 1932 to 1975, including the role of the Church, the military, and the influence of the United States on the politics of this nation. But the main story line of the novel remained focused on these two families and their interaction over several generations.
.
I really enjoyed the way Benítez showed these two classes interacting. As much as they felt they were different and as much as they were kept apart (or at least the upper class tried to separate themselves from the lower class), they were inextricably linked and their lives held many parallels. Mothers and daughters disagreed; husbands betrayed their wives; children refused to listen; secrets were kept; and everyone was addicted to the radio soap opera, Los Dos (and yet never recognized how that story line also paralleled their real-life stories).
This won the American Book Award in 1998.
.
I really enjoyed the way Benítez showed these two classes interacting. As much as they felt they were different and as much as they were kept apart (or at least the upper class tried to separate themselves from the lower class), they were inextricably linked and their lives held many parallels. Mothers and daughters disagreed; husbands betrayed their wives; children refused to listen; secrets were kept; and everyone was addicted to the radio soap opera, Los Dos (and yet never recognized how that story line also paralleled their real-life stories).
This won the American Book Award in 1998.
carollynnw's review against another edition
Three generations of women in two classes, their lives and loves and losses set in El Salvador during a time of struggle, upheaval, social and political dissent.
jenmat1197's review against another edition
4.0
This book takes place from the years 1932 to 1977 in El Salvador. It follows the Prieto Clan and the wealthy family they work for. The story mostly revolves around the women and their daughters of these two families as they grow, change, and intertwine. Each family - servant and master, rich and poor - have their tragedies that cannot be avoided due to El Salvador's civil war.
I thought this was a pretty good book. I love stories that involve generations of families and the passage of time. To watch the women at the beginning of the book become the grandmothers in the end, and their families growth inbetween held my attention. It was a well told, well written book that captured many things I didn't know about the Civil War in El Salvador. The story is filled with a lot of loss and heartache for these families, but also love. A poor servant girl's daughter and a wealthy master's daughter grew up in the same house and became just like sisters until their adult lives took them in different directions. A feud between two best friends lasted 30 years before it was almost too late for forgiveness. A lost brother is found.
Good tale with good character development. I am glad I found this one.
I thought this was a pretty good book. I love stories that involve generations of families and the passage of time. To watch the women at the beginning of the book become the grandmothers in the end, and their families growth inbetween held my attention. It was a well told, well written book that captured many things I didn't know about the Civil War in El Salvador. The story is filled with a lot of loss and heartache for these families, but also love. A poor servant girl's daughter and a wealthy master's daughter grew up in the same house and became just like sisters until their adult lives took them in different directions. A feud between two best friends lasted 30 years before it was almost too late for forgiveness. A lost brother is found.
Good tale with good character development. I am glad I found this one.
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
5.0
Another book I read nearly 16 years ago and still remember well. Really loved it.
sssnoo's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. A three generation family saga. I enjoy learning history through novels. I knew so little about El Salvador, just basic headlines. This brought to life the chronic struggle between land owners and workers overlaid by one corrupt government after another. Some reviewers thought it was a soap opera - well welcome to real life. I enjoyed the way a radio soap opera is followed by the women across the decades; how the stories on the radio were not that far from reality. But then I watched General Hospital for years. And I have lived long enough to know our lives are actually not that far off from a soap opera. So I enjoyed the book.
alessrizzo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
eirenophile's review against another edition
Maybe if I stuck with this book a little longer I would actually like it, but I'm halfway through the second chapter and giving up. I don't usually read this type of fiction, but a book about mothers and daughters in El Salvador sounded very appealing. Unfortunately, the first mother depicted, Mercedes, is a flat caricature.
Here's a couple of passages that turned me off:
"To show respect, Mercedes had lowered her gaze, but the priest's words confused her. Goyo was not an unbeliever. Mercedes and Ignacio had known Goyo and Pru for twenty-five years, and the compadres believed, as she and Ignacio did, in the gods of their people. In Xipotepec, the god of corn. In Tlaloc, the god of rain. In Tzultacah, the god of the earth." (p. 12)
I would probably let this slide in a different genre, but if I'm going to take the time and energy to read general fiction I expect more.
Here's a couple of passages that turned me off:
"To show respect, Mercedes had lowered her gaze, but the priest's words confused her. Goyo was not an unbeliever. Mercedes and Ignacio had known Goyo and Pru for twenty-five years, and the compadres believed, as she and Ignacio did, in the gods of their people. In Xipotepec, the god of corn. In Tlaloc, the god of rain. In Tzultacah, the god of the earth." (p. 12)
I would probably let this slide in a different genre, but if I'm going to take the time and energy to read general fiction I expect more.
mrewers's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nferre's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding. A novel set in El Salvador spanning several generations of both the aristocratic landowners as well as those who serve them. The class distinctions are very well portrayed, the reasons for the turbulence and civil war clearly explained through the lives of the characters in the book. A bit long at times, but well worth the read.