So I had been wanting to read this book since it was first recommended to me about two years ago. I really liked it! The author did an incredible job painting the story of this curse-ridden family over multiple generations from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey. There are a bit of historical references about the Trujillo regime in the DR during the 20th century (as side notes) and how that has affected life even now on the island. This got a little long but interesting nonetheless to learn more about the DR.
It also reminded me of my favorite book of all time, 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, as you learned about a crazy but fascinating family through the generations, and through various points of view of different family members. Although you can't help but feel bad for the family at times at all their misfortune and how they handle it, you also learn to love them for their crazy and jaded lives.
Oh, I also loved the Spanish used! If you took high school Spanish you'll be fine, but I loved how you could feel the culture through this detail of the author's writing. For example, "She was very guapa, I said casually. Abuela snorted. Guapa soy yo. Your mother was a diosa. But so cabeza dura." It wasn't like this everywhere but enough to add a cultural element that helped you understand the characters better.
It reminds me of my Kindergarteners when they mix languages because it just makes more sense in their brain that way. It is so true that some words are more appropriate in one language than another depending on the context.
A great, fast read! I don't think it was my favorite book but I definitely recommend it!
Have you read it? What did you think? Write a comment below if you are interested!
Next up: Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
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