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rieviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There were some aspects that I struggled with (mainly the strong religious focus and the inevitable association of womanhood with marriage and motherhood) but since that has to do with my own sensibilites, it might bother other readers less.
The chapters with alternating POVs and the insertion of sections with diary entries make for a flowing reading experience. Still, I found some parts and perspectives more interesting and engaging than others.
I really liked the final section from Dedé's POV, I found it the most moving and also the most effective in terms of prose.
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, Death, Confinement, Police brutality, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Classism, War, Gun violence, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Dementia, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Racism, Mass/school shootings, Antisemitism, Body horror, Alcoholism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Rape, Medical content, Sexual content, Homophobia, Ableism, Cancer, Genocide, Vomit, Lesbophobia, and Excrement
jcstokes95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That to me, is what shows Alvarez’s skill most; she is able to give us all four sister’s perspectives on certain events without even really giving us a “true” or “objective” set of the facts. I appreciated the space it gave readers to evaluate the character’s actions and the sister’s reactions. For example, each had a very different perspective on their father and his…choices, but the differences between them said so much about each sister’s value, personality and maturity at that phase in their life. This happens in the domestic scenes and those of national importance. This is a deep, layered character study that only works with all narratives present.
I am still sitting with what irked and challenged me the most. At times, this book feels so…domestic. The sisters still can feel very traditional, family-oriented, motherly. Some of them marry some pretty… interesting men (at least in their fictional depiction) yet forgive their husband’s trespasses. There are times in this book, where I almost felt like Alvarez was diminishing their activism by focusing on the domestic. For example, when Maria Teresa essentially…joins the revolution because a cute boy shows up at her window. Or Patria becoming radicalized when she sees the possibility of her own son’s life. Their values seem entirely based on how politics affects their own family (except maybe Minerva’s).
Because of this, it felt like they weren’t coming to their own ideas but following a path laid out by other people. Maybe it’s because we don’t see the planning of the rebellions through their eyes. But it doesn’t feel like they have agency in the way I would have assumed. However, when I look at this another way, it seems like Alvarez is making a point that a woman can be both of the family and of a revolution. And I do love that she is showing both are valuable. It gives the sister’s softness the same power as their more rebellious spirit.
In all, this was a gorgeously crafter heart wrencher and took some time to get through, but I am glad I have picked up this modern classic.
Graphic: Torture and Violence
moon_dude's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
badmom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: War, Sexism, Grief, Police brutality, Classism, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Car accident, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Death, Infertility, Confinement, and Colonisation
aericsson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Police brutality, and Torture
vereisnthere's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Police brutality, Sexism, Torture, Car accident, War, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Violence, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia and Xenophobia
fionaengelson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Murder, Torture, and Violence
kellyeweber's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
rachael_jo's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Miscarriage
ranireadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Murder, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault