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arrianne's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction and Domestic abuse
beaulij_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Abortion
jordan_m_hansen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: War
blreads15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
susan2424's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
jessieandafourth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse
mts's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
read_n_wright's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I absolutely adored this book. It’s a sweeping, epic story told in the form of letters written by 100-year-old Violeta on her deathbed to her grandson. Spanning her life from being born during the Spanish flu pandemic to her death during the COVID-19 pandemic, it captures her achievements, loves, losses, growth, triumphs, and the political upheavals she endured.
I specifically sought out a book by this author after seeing her name mentioned often, curious to understand why her writing is so beloved. Now, I completely understand—and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
What stood out to me most was the open, hospitable nature of the characters. Despite being shaped by their time and culture, their relationships felt timeless and deeply inspiring. Strangers became family through small acts of kindness, loyalty, and protection, remaining fiercely devoted to one another until the end. This portrayal of community made me reflect on our increasingly individualistic society. It saddened me to think how much we’ve drifted from such connections, but it also inspired me to seek and nurture relationships as meaningful and enriching as those in Violeta’s life.
Violeta’s richness wasn’t just in her remarkable achievements but in the depth of her relationships. Her story made me want to live a life as full and connected as hers.
Minor: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and War
vpeguri's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse