Alexandra Villasante
Author of The Grief Keeper
Works by Alexandra Villasante
Associated Works
We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures (2024) — Contributor — 4 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- New Jersey, USA
- Places of residence
- Pennsylvania, USA
Members
Reviews
This is one of the most beautiful, painful, joyful books I have ever read in my life... and I say that with all the gravity such a statement deserves. The story of a young immigrant faced with an impossible decision, which she has to try to grapple with through the veil of a ESL barrier. This novel dives into so many big themes and theories that the reader is left shredded. There is a slow horror in this thing that is so subtle and so real that I, as the reader, felt trapped right alongside Marisol. Gorgeous, simple prose that cuts to the heart. Characters everyone can relate to, despite our own otherness. A lesson that needs to be heard and felt today, more than ever. I will be processing this for a long while yet.
Not only should you read this book, but you should share the link and tell all your friends so it spreads roots out there into the wider world.… (more)
Not only should you read this book, but you should share the link and tell all your friends so it spreads roots out there into the wider world.… (more)
Listened to the audio, which was a gorgeous performance. This was more contemporary with a touch of magical realism than a touch of sci-fi, and the little touch created a premise against which the characters and their stories could really shine. I felt like there were pieces that got glossed over a little, but the story came back to some aspects and created backstory in a really smart way. Adored this on many levels.
This is a Young Adult novel about a young woman from El Salvador, seeking asylum in the US, who is manipulated into becoming a grief keeper, and absorbing the trauma from another teenager, as part of a study of PTSD.
This book would probably be enjoyed by it's target YA audience, it's pretty well written, and brings up a lot of issues. But for me, too much of the plot was either unlikely, or not explored in enough depth.
This book would probably be enjoyed by it's target YA audience, it's pretty well written, and brings up a lot of issues. But for me, too much of the plot was either unlikely, or not explored in enough depth.
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Statistics
- Works
- 1
- Also by
- 4
- Members
- 184
- Popularity
- #117,736
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 9
- ISBNs
- 8
This story is unlike anything else I've read. There's a bit of futuristic science involving technology that allows feelings (in particular grief) to be transferred from one person to another. There's a thru-line about seeking asylum in the US after fleeing gang violence in El Salvador and there's a love story between two teen girls.
Overall I enjoyed it even though I wasn't thrilled with how it wrapped up - I wanted an extra chapter or two to round out the ending.
… (more)