Reviews

Bitter Grounds by Sandra Benítez

serendipitysbooks's review

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 Bitter Grounds is set in El Salvador. It’s a female-centred family saga focussed on three generations from two different families of differing ethnic and class backgrounds. Their story unfolds against the background of fifty years of El Salvadoran history, a turbulent period involving the 1932 massacre of Indian peasants suspected of being Communists, a military dictatorship and guerilla attacks. I was never less than absorbed by the complicated mother-daughter relationships and by the way the author explored the intersection of gender, race and class and highlighted the legacy of colonialism. The way some Spanish was folded into the text added to the strong sense of place.
 

knkoch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25