Ursula Villarreal-Moura can write some damn good characters.
This novel had some of the most interesting and nuanced character work I've read in a while. Tatum as a main character was equal parts endearing and frustrating, and I definitely could feel the angst of her young adulthood as she moved through graduating college to living at home to moving out on her own for the first time, all the while navigating this relationship that plays with power dynamics and toxicity in a way I haven't seen a ton in lit like this.
This book is for the character and relationship-focused girlies. There's not a strong plotline as far as action-reaction-resolution here, but that is a huge plus. The synopsis makes it seem like the story is more focused on this pull between past and present, revisiting past trauma and unpacking patterns of abuse. The bulk of this novel, though, is Tatum's reflection on her relationship and unpacking power dynamics in various relationships and situationships throughout her life. I really enjoyed the attention to detail that went into Tatum and M's relationship and the little nuggets of foreshadowing and allusion that happened throughout the novel. I LOVED the second-person writing in this one as a stylistic choice, it made Tatum's internal monologue so much more impactful and personal.
I read this in two sittings. I spent the entirety of the time between those two sittings thinking about this book. I finished this on the 20th, and today is the 25th. I've thought about this book several times a day since I finished it. I think the main reason this worked so well for me is that it subverted what I expected it to be.
I think the reason this didn't do enough for some people is exactly why I thought it was so realistic--real life doesn't wrap up with a nice bow. Real life isn't always black and white, and people aren't always all good or all bad, and memories and experiences are complicated. The complexity is a really interesting space to explore here, and I appreciated the author's willingness to leave some things gray.
This novel had some of the most interesting and nuanced character work I've read in a while. Tatum as a main character was equal parts endearing and frustrating, and I definitely could feel the angst of her young adulthood as she moved through graduating college to living at home to moving out on her own for the first time, all the while navigating this relationship that plays with power dynamics and toxicity in a way I haven't seen a ton in lit like this.
This book is for the character and relationship-focused girlies. There's not a strong plotline as far as action-reaction-resolution here, but that is a huge plus. The synopsis makes it seem like the story is more focused on this pull between past and present, revisiting past trauma and unpacking patterns of abuse. The bulk of this novel, though, is Tatum's reflection on her relationship and unpacking power dynamics in various relationships and situationships throughout her life. I really enjoyed the attention to detail that went into Tatum and M's relationship and the little nuggets of foreshadowing and allusion that happened throughout the novel. I LOVED the second-person writing in this one as a stylistic choice, it made Tatum's internal monologue so much more impactful and personal.
I read this in two sittings. I spent the entirety of the time between those two sittings thinking about this book. I finished this on the 20th, and today is the 25th. I've thought about this book several times a day since I finished it. I think the main reason this worked so well for me is that it subverted what I expected it to be.
I think the reason this didn't do enough for some people is exactly why I thought it was so realistic--real life doesn't wrap up with a nice bow. Real life isn't always black and white, and people aren't always all good or all bad, and memories and experiences are complicated. The complexity is a really interesting space to explore here, and I appreciated the author's willingness to leave some things gray.