Reviews

This is my new favorite book. I recently returned to grad school and was anxious to finish this novel, but it was on the back burner for the last couple of weeks. Now that I have finished it, a part of me is sad it's over. This novel captures many characters that seem so real and similar to those I remember in my childhood. It reminds me of days lost, a time I wish I could return to. There's love and struggle, perseverance, and a healthy dose of Chicano superstition and the motif of a mischievous pig. Perhaps not a book for everyone, but it was, sure as hell, a book for me. This book made me consider all the things in my life that I love and all those people that make it worthy of living.

mike_morse's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This is really my kind of book, funny, wacky characters, hilarious situations, a battle between the haves and have-nots (with the have-nots momentarily on top), set in a colorful culture. I will never forget the scene with the mouse traps snapping at a inconvenient time. So, why only 4 stars? For some reasons the book was a bit of a slog for me. Maybe I read too slowly.

maceface34's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny reflective

4.25

nicoism's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

i loved this book…. but the amount of characters was insane! it was somewhat challenging to not get confused, but a simple character list with quick notes solves all of those issues!

all of the diverse characters weave together a beautiful portrait of a town set ablaze by locals fighting for their land and water rights. mind you, life imitates art - many of the tactics employed by police, government officials, and rich land-owners have and are still being actively used in this day and age.

this book and the issues within can be reframed as reflect on gentrification, land rights, racism and civil rights, and even socioeconomic class warfare.

darkenergy's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Southwestern magical realism with a healthy side dose of irreverently treated social issues. Also quite funny.

gossso's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny

candace611's review against another edition

Go to review page

I was reading it on my phone on vacation in New Mexico

More...