Scan barcode
A review by spinesinaline
Each Of Us A Desert by Mark Oshiro
5.0
That final reveal was incredible, what a good, good book. Thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC! Read the full review at https://spinesinaline.wordpress.com
There’s a lot that Oshiro presents unapologetically. His MC, and many of the side characters, are Spanish-speaking (only some dialect differences are mentioned). While this is an English book, there is a fair share of Spanish words interwoven in the dialogue and description, often presented without a translation. As someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, I was able to get by based on context and used a dictionary for curiosity’s sake but ultimately this story isn’t for me. So don’t complain about the use of Spanish!
There’s also a total normalization of nonbinary and queer characters. There is no judgment or additional commentary on their existence in this story world, and Xochital comes across so many people in her village and on her journeys who enter the narrative with no hesitation over their use of pronouns and relationship.
Another thing I found really interesting is this inclusion of descriptions of urination and menstruation. Xo sets out on a desert journey so it’s only natural that she’s going to relieve herself along the way. The author presents a realistic experience of traveling in this heat, from what she eats and when she drinks, to how she manages bathroom trips in the desert. It’s one of the first times in a book that I’ve also read such an accurate and honest portrayal of menstruation as Xo has to deal with cramping on her journey too. The author mentions in the afterword that they actually did research for this section by traveling in the desert themselves and that real-world experience definitely comes through.
There’s a reveal that we work towards throughout the whole book and the payoff was so good! I kept trying to guess what it would be and had no idea and then it came and it was perfect!! I can’t overstate how much I loved this ending.
I don’t think that there’s been an ending to a book that I’ve loved more than this one. I was so impressed by what the author does in these final moments with their writing — the connections made, the loose ends tied up, and the powerful message shared. And then reading the afterword and learning about the inspiration for the poet and the storyteller almost made me cry. This book, and that ending, made me so so happy and I still can’t get over the power of Oshiro’s storytelling.
There’s a lot that Oshiro presents unapologetically. His MC, and many of the side characters, are Spanish-speaking (only some dialect differences are mentioned). While this is an English book, there is a fair share of Spanish words interwoven in the dialogue and description, often presented without a translation. As someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, I was able to get by based on context and used a dictionary for curiosity’s sake but ultimately this story isn’t for me. So don’t complain about the use of Spanish!
There’s also a total normalization of nonbinary and queer characters. There is no judgment or additional commentary on their existence in this story world, and Xochital comes across so many people in her village and on her journeys who enter the narrative with no hesitation over their use of pronouns and relationship.
Another thing I found really interesting is this inclusion of descriptions of urination and menstruation. Xo sets out on a desert journey so it’s only natural that she’s going to relieve herself along the way. The author presents a realistic experience of traveling in this heat, from what she eats and when she drinks, to how she manages bathroom trips in the desert. It’s one of the first times in a book that I’ve also read such an accurate and honest portrayal of menstruation as Xo has to deal with cramping on her journey too. The author mentions in the afterword that they actually did research for this section by traveling in the desert themselves and that real-world experience definitely comes through.
There’s a reveal that we work towards throughout the whole book and the payoff was so good! I kept trying to guess what it would be and had no idea and then it came and it was perfect!! I can’t overstate how much I loved this ending.
I don’t think that there’s been an ending to a book that I’ve loved more than this one. I was so impressed by what the author does in these final moments with their writing — the connections made, the loose ends tied up, and the powerful message shared. And then reading the afterword and learning about the inspiration for the poet and the storyteller almost made me cry. This book, and that ending, made me so so happy and I still can’t get over the power of Oshiro’s storytelling.