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sophiadale's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked up this book because it was the first contemporary fiction set in Denver that I’d seen after growing up outside it. The characters were so vibrant, each story a standalone world that was so true. Yet each story brought so much hardship that the prevailing emotion became a knot of dread, wondering what terrible thing would befall this next woman. The depictions of violence against women, the disappointments, the dearth of happy endings became hard to read over time. I kept thinking the phrase “life is nasty, brutish, and short.” Still, these fictional short stories were real life, and for that reason, we can’t look away. I know these girls and these lives and they deserve their day in the sun.
gieselleusc's review against another edition
4.0
This was a thought provoking, sad, and beautiful portrait of Hispano women in the west. I listened to this via audiobook which wasn’t the best choice - I felt like I couldn’t really sit with and think about the stories. A great option for a book club read, though!
shmelia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
flavicos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
Not my usual book, but I'm really glad I read it! A collection of short stories that take place in the Denver area. Although the character's stories are the focus, their stories are informative on how racism has shaped the makeup of Denver today and should be required reading for any newcomers.
bookdragonkatie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
aroth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Each story left me wanting to read more about that character
spacebee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
alliw153's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed the writing of these stories. I loved some and some were a bit forgettable, but overall, this was an amazingly written collection.
mitskacir's review against another edition
4.0
Because of the short story format, I don't think these will stick with me for long (short stories rarely do), but I did really enjoy these while I was reading them. I especially liked the first story, Sugar Babies - it was sad and poignant, but also extremely funny. I would certainly come back to read that one again. I picked up this book because it was part of an NPR article highlighting books representing each state, this one for Colorado, and I was interested to read fiction that took place where I was born. However, while familiar names like Durango and Colfax Ave occasionally popped up, the stories were very character driven and didn't have a strong sense of setting or place - or perhaps my experiences in Northern Colorado just differ from the Denver/Southern Colorado settings of these stories.