Aura

Great companion to Vincent & Theo book

Revisado: 10-13-24

Again, as in women’s history, our contributions are ignored and hidden in textbooks and general readings. Coincidentally, I just finished learning about the myriad of women who, without their badassery, Mexican independence from Spain could have looked very different. U.S. history (and surely other countries’ history) paints them as side characters as well; all the while forgetting that even without equal rights, so many were change makers. This book takes us into the art world in history. Now…I read this book on the heels of Deborah Heiligman’s audiobook version of Vincent & Theo. Wow! This book illuminates the strength of women, single mothers, and the importance of women supporting women as they flourish into their bad ass selves amidst historical misogyny. This book makes me proud to be a distant woman in a distant land. This book reminds me that other single moms can (and do) difficult things. Thank you for never giving up on getting this book published.

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Only finished since it’s for a book group

Revisado: 03-19-23

I abhor gaming. This was painful for me since it’s literally about creating games. This review is aimed at anyone else who detests the gaming world. Sure, there are fully developed young MIT college kids who we follow into adulthood as they create games. Sure, the characters address sexual identity, gender, loss, and race issues. Still, I would have dropped this had it not been my book group’s selection. Like hearing how gamers process? Want to hear an entire chapter about characters arguing about the new game’s title? This book is for you. If you are like me and avoided dating anyone who even mentioned gaming throughout your life then my review will save you hours and hours of listening. I always took beautiful nature walks as I listened; therefore, hours of my life aren’t wholly lost. Narrator-great; writing style-great; plot-not great if you find the entire gaming world as mundane as I do.

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Theo is a star

Revisado: 03-16-23

Who knew Theo carried this artistic genius on every level? Not I. While the book is such an intimate peek into the love life, work life, and the often tenuous brotherly bond, the reader also gains deep insight into what life is like for those with depression. Everything is handled with such care in this novel. It's as if the author is holding all the letters and information on a precious platter for the reader to gently, respectfully, and empathetically read. While I've seen Van Gogh's art in museums before, I will see them wholly differently in the future because of this gem of a book.

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Keeps you guessing

Revisado: 03-16-23

There were so many times I thought I had things figured out in the plot, but then it took an exciting turn. It's easy for a mom to see herself in the protagonist; she's the badass maternal figure we all hope to be for our own "X's". As someone who lived/taught in Albuquerque for 2 years, it was cool to hear the legitimate landmarks referenced in the book; the New Mexico details and imagery are spot on. It was only at the very end of the book (literally the last 10 minutes) that I felt the plot "jumped the shark" and actions of some characters were far fetched. That said, others will surely still feel the say I do overall in terms of thoroughly enjoying her writing style and this twisted whodunit.

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Tenacious woman

Revisado: 03-16-23

You’ll learn both the history of colonized Angola and the history of several generations of this family. Told through the voice of the author’s grandmother, this book makes one wish to have such a fierce female matriarch in our own personal lineage. This book kept the surprises coming nonstop. The author’s grandmother (Rosa) endured, endured, and endured. May all the Rosas in history have their refugee story honored with such a lovely book like this. Tenacious women make this world a better place. Rosa proves this. Obrigada, Rosa!

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Teacher understood the assignment

Revisado: 04-19-22

I was fortunate enough to receive PTA funds to buy new books for my “Environmental Stewardship” unit in high school. I bought 18 copies of this after only reading a sample on Google. I knew it was a gamble since I typically read an entire book before kids see it.
Well, I downloaded the audiobook and took a walk for 2 hours every day after school to get ahead of the kids.
Wow! I found myself walking longer and longer because I didn’t want to stop “reading”.
The book covers a myriad of themes relevant to me (an older/divorced woman), but the teens are also finding her story interesting. Yep, teens are happy to read and not scroll on phones :) These 17-year-olds are only on their 3rd day of reading and they are enthralled. I, too, loved it! So far we have two generations giving this a thumbs up!

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Ending?

Revisado: 10-15-18

My goal is to “read” all of Kafka’s works on Audible as I take my Sunday morning 5-mile walk. Karl, the protagonist, is a great example of what it must be like for an immigrant whether it be 2018 or 1818. Kafka, like his other works, explains things in a matter-of-fact manner. The ending left me wondering if this text was actually completed, or did Kafka leave it unfinished. I’ll have to Google that. Still, the overall story of Karl, and his adjustments to America, was poignant, sad, and endearing.

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