Reviews with content warning for Animal cruelty - How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

The writing alongside the reverse storyline are a beautiful touch to unpacking what feels like a very different story from Julia Alvarez's other books. While I will say that the enjoyment and likeability of the parents and other "adult" figures is dampened by the racist and classist ways of interacting with the support staff in DR, I understand the importance of expressing this dynamic, especially related to the experience of migration.

Having read this first novel after others which came later (In the Time of Butterflies; Afterlife), I can see the way Alvarez's writing style and character developments changed over time. And I see clearly why Alvarez had such a literary impact on many authors that came afterwards.

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hedsek's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Not for me I guess

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americattt's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

“At my age, this is what I knew of revenge. What someone kept in a bedside drawer. What color was someone’s underwear. What did someone look like squatting awkwardly on a small chamber pot. Then, when that someone fell upon me with violent discipline, I could undo with a gaze: I know you, I know you.”

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magneto's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

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? Yes

4.5

Went into this book with zero expectations and no idea about the story structure and this may be one of my fave reads of the year. The unfolding of the family's story, primarily told through the lens of the four daughters, was engrossing. Kept thinking about this book every time I had to put it down, anxious to pick it up again. Enjoyed the backwards timeline, it really added to my engagement with the girls' stories. I'll absolutely be reading more from this author in the future.

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lauconn's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective 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

4.25

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