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yukiisatsuki's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
halkid2's review against another edition
5.0
Alyson Richman offers another rich story about the ways in which human beings recover, even from the darkest experiences. This is a compelling read, though not for the fainthearted. There are disturbing passages detailing the torture inflicted under the Pinochet regime in Chile. But the real story is about deep love, between man and woman, parent and child. Through a collection of Richman's fully drawn, complex, and believable characters, we see how people who are profoundly challenged by the circumstances of living their lives, still remain capable of experiencing true healing when they open themselves up fully to relationships with others. This author has a true gift for bringing complex and difficult historical material to life through story.
jennlrichardson's review against another edition
5.0
Alyson Richman is one of my favorite authors. I've loved every single book I've read by her and this one is no different. I always feel like I learn so much from her books - before this book I knew nothing about the brutality in Chile in the 70's or the Finnish war children. What I love about her books is how emotionally invested I get; there were a few times when I had to put the book down. This book entangled the beauty of life and love with the brutality of life at wartime. There is no sugar coating but that it why I got so invested in this book. Though Salome's story is the most central and I definitely felt for her and was devastated for her, it's Kaja's story that really got to me. This book, like her others, does start out a bit slow - but push through! I promise it's worth it! I highly recommend this book, especially to lovers of travel and historical fiction!
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