isabookabel's reviews
277 reviews

Had to hand back to the library before I'd finished taking notes.

Such an emotional book. I really enjoyed reading this and appreciate the effort which went into trying to make this book inclusive. Themes including friendship, grief, deportation, immigration, isolation, animal welfare and autism were all woven through this book. 

My only critique is that I felt Mateo read as a bit of a stereotype and I would have loved it if he had been more fleshed out as a character. Similarly some of Silas neurotypical narrative made me feel that at times it was almost more that she was putting up with his quirks instead of celebrating them. Mateo came across as a little 2D as a character, which made it feel at times as if he was there for representations sake. I would have loved it if there had been more nuance to his character.

Overall though a very moving story with lots to love which would introduce kids to a broad range of topics for discussion. I would happily read again and brought me to tears several times throughout. 

Perfect for it's target audience. Can see myself recommending to lots of students.

Fantastic way of introducing children to poetry, through a deeply moving story. 

A guilty pleasure read. This book had a lot to enjoy BUT so many issues that I think if it was published today the reception would be very different. 

There is overt hypersexualiation of women on almost every page, misogyny and fetishisaton. Initially these were so over the top I wondered if it would be explored by the author and used to critique misogyny in the books society - I was wrong it seemed to just be the authors humour. He does try to weave in issues like domestic violence/control, but these feel so surface and are so swiftly followed by commenting on what the characters tits look like, it felt like he was rather missing the point. Instead using it as a plot device so the women can try to escape to the arms of their lovers. The female characters aren't fleshed out at all, and can be summed up by brief descriptions i.e. the blind sexy one, the frumpy domestic servant (whos fanciability is seen as comic), the sexy sister of the best friend and the older troubled sexy woman. 

Pros: transports you back to Barcelona in the 1940's. Dark academia vibes and a good old fashioned mystery. I think I would have enjoyed this more when I was younger but it still felt like a bit of a treat to read now. Could be good for anyone visiting Barcelona with main character energy particularly in the autumn/winter, who wants to imagine themselves in swirling mist and mystery. Brilliant descriptive writing and world building. 

Overall still a memorable read which will stick with me. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone without making them aware of its issues.