If I had to use one word to describe this novel so far it would be exhausting. None of the characters are particularly likable, which is an interesting choice for a narrative. The only character that was redeemable as far as virtue was Rosa, but she died before we were able to experience her personality at all.
On the topic of Rosa, I want to briefly speak about her objectification. For the entirety of her recorded life (and in all the time leading up to her burial, as well) all that we know about Rosa is that she is desirable. Her beauty is staggering, and every man wants to have her. This includes the physician's assistant that took part in performing her autopsy, and the kisses Clara witnessed him give her left me feeling legitimately sick to my stomach. I'm not sure what we learn from how Rosa is treated, but a general theme in this novel that I've noticed is how only those who are interesting are considered valuable. Rosa is mourned widely because of her elusive beauty, and both of Marcos' deaths left the people inconsolable merely because of how much entertainment he provided. It's interesting to see how human nature has not changed very much in this regard. Celebrity deaths are publicly mourned (despite the fact that whatever next major news story swiftly pushes them out of the public eye) while tragedies that challenge our cultural ethics are generally swept under the rug.
Another thing that really stuck out to me was the relationship between Esteban and Ferula. Initially, I had anticipated relating to them. They were siblings who loved each other dearly in childhood that were having to walk through helping an ill mother and the departure of a bad father together in adulthood. This is something that my younger sister and I have been dealing with currently, and I was hoping to see us pictured in Esteban and Ferula's relationship. However, Ferula is a professional at emotional blackmail and Esteban lacks any remorse when speaking his mind. The two of them are so toxic for each other, and I feel like the imbalanced power dynamic of their gender plays a huge role in this. Esteban is free to go wherever he wants for work while Ferula is trapped at home caring for her sick mother. She has to throw her own future away for the sake of her family while she watches her little brother leave her behind for the sake of his own ambitions. I'm sympathetic towards her, although I don't condone her manipulative behaviors. It makes me wonder if they could have had a healthy relationship if they were both the same gender or if they had been born at a different time. In a similar vein, I wonder if my sister and I are only close in our adversity because of the time we live in.
This book is heavy. Everyone in it gets on my nerves at one point or another. Overall, I give it a 10/10 for realism.
hailey & caroline
On the topic of Rosa, I want to briefly speak about her objectification. For the entirety of her recorded life (and in all the time leading up to her burial, as well) all that we know about Rosa is that she is desirable. Her beauty is staggering, and every man wants to have her. This includes the physician's assistant that took part in performing her autopsy, and the kisses Clara witnessed him give her left me feeling legitimately sick to my stomach. I'm not sure what we learn from how Rosa is treated, but a general theme in this novel that I've noticed is how only those who are interesting are considered valuable. Rosa is mourned widely because of her elusive beauty, and both of Marcos' deaths left the people inconsolable merely because of how much entertainment he provided. It's interesting to see how human nature has not changed very much in this regard. Celebrity deaths are publicly mourned (despite the fact that whatever next major news story swiftly pushes them out of the public eye) while tragedies that challenge our cultural ethics are generally swept under the rug.
Another thing that really stuck out to me was the relationship between Esteban and Ferula. Initially, I had anticipated relating to them. They were siblings who loved each other dearly in childhood that were having to walk through helping an ill mother and the departure of a bad father together in adulthood. This is something that my younger sister and I have been dealing with currently, and I was hoping to see us pictured in Esteban and Ferula's relationship. However, Ferula is a professional at emotional blackmail and Esteban lacks any remorse when speaking his mind. The two of them are so toxic for each other, and I feel like the imbalanced power dynamic of their gender plays a huge role in this. Esteban is free to go wherever he wants for work while Ferula is trapped at home caring for her sick mother. She has to throw her own future away for the sake of her family while she watches her little brother leave her behind for the sake of his own ambitions. I'm sympathetic towards her, although I don't condone her manipulative behaviors. It makes me wonder if they could have had a healthy relationship if they were both the same gender or if they had been born at a different time. In a similar vein, I wonder if my sister and I are only close in our adversity because of the time we live in.
This book is heavy. Everyone in it gets on my nerves at one point or another. Overall, I give it a 10/10 for realism.
hailey & caroline
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