I loved this book. I was looking for a gift for my teenage friend who is currently thinking very hard about race, her own mixed parentage and identity so, since it came early, I decided to read it before passing the book on to her, thinking we probably would enjoy discussing it together at some time in the future. I can’t wait to see what she thinks of it and I will definitely be recommending this to others
The plot is outlined on the book cover so there were no surprises there. What I hadn't anticipated, however, was the quality of the description of characters, their grief and entire settings through the medium of non-rhyming poetry. The impact of some of the imagery nearly blew me away or prompted tears!
Having worked in a developing country for a couple of years and because I have travelled to various places where the culture and surroundings were far different to my own, this novel called to mind so many experiences and opportunities that I had forgotten, the problems and challenges faced by the protagonists seemed real, from the very first pages which focus on the mud it is so hard to remove as a result of rainy season in the tropics. The clapping on safe arrival of a plane was equally reminiscent.
Occasional references in Spanish remind the reader that they are being transported far from home and, in my opinion, add to the novel's appeal and authenticity.
This book is well worth a read.
The plot is outlined on the book cover so there were no surprises there. What I hadn't anticipated, however, was the quality of the description of characters, their grief and entire settings through the medium of non-rhyming poetry. The impact of some of the imagery nearly blew me away or prompted tears!
Having worked in a developing country for a couple of years and because I have travelled to various places where the culture and surroundings were far different to my own, this novel called to mind so many experiences and opportunities that I had forgotten, the problems and challenges faced by the protagonists seemed real, from the very first pages which focus on the mud it is so hard to remove as a result of rainy season in the tropics. The clapping on safe arrival of a plane was equally reminiscent.
Occasional references in Spanish remind the reader that they are being transported far from home and, in my opinion, add to the novel's appeal and authenticity.
This book is well worth a read.