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gitli57's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
3.0
Allende can be very hit or miss for me. In Maya's Notebook, she managed to hit and miss in the same book. There was some genuinely moving writing about the horrors of the US backed Pinochet dictatorship in Chile (which Allende and her family experienced first hand). Allende can also bring off an Indigenous sensibility and does here. But there are larger believability issues, starting with the narrative voice. Since the novel is told in first person, this really undermines her main character. Many of the plot points wobble into TV novella territory. The line between genuine emotion and sentimentality is not as sharp and obvious as some critics like to suggest, so decide for yourself whether or not Allende crosses it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Rape
bee_solena's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Physical abuse, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
emmacharlotte96's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
sunflowerlu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
carolinefaireymeese's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Rape