The Book of Unknown Americans

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is probably 3 stars but gave it 2 because there are just so much better stories of families immigrating to America. I did like the chapters that were about the families living in the neighborhood of the Rivera's and how it showed that there are so many stories of immigrants, of their hopes and dreams and how they got here. I also liked that it highlighted the plight of those coming to America for medical/educational purposes and not just economical. There are some endearing scenes like when Alma tries to economize and they end up eating oatmeal for every meal. I also liked the message that forgiving ourselves, while the most difficult, is the only way to move forward. But I felt like so many story lines were not fully pursued. And I just couldn't get behind the main storyline of Mayor and Maribel. Mayor comes across just as creepy as the skateboarder. Maribel still can't communicate her true feelings and desires when Mayor makes his moves. Maybe a nice addition would be some of Maribel's diary entries? So the main storyline kinda made me ick and there wasn't enough development of the other characters (with the exception of Alma) to feel like it was a worthwhile story.

View all my reviews

The Sun Also Rises

 

The Sun Also Rises: The Original 1926 Unabridged And Complete Edition by Ernest Hemingway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A journalist in France goes on a vacation with friends in Spain. They fish and watch the bull runs and bullfights. They drink a lot. Everyone is in love with Brett. She ruins a bull fighter. She ruins everyone really. But everyone still loves her. Having read Joyce and Stein, I can see where Hemingway diverges and defines a more modern style. There isn't much inner monologue and so the motivations are for the reader to interpret for the most part. (Not as satisfying, but not bad either). Nothing is too florid or overwrought. A rather interesting illustration of the lost generation and the escapades of foreign travelers behaving badly. Still, even without a lot of metaphors, Hemingway puts you in the front seat for the show.

View all my reviews