Now why we're all here, the book....
This novel had fifty-four chapters, one for each card. At the beginning of each chapter there is a picture of a card and the rest of the chapter is a memory that Luz, the main character, connects to. That structure it self was something to get used to. With some of the cards she connected them to memories of her family. For example, one card reminded her of her mother. After several chapters, readers discover that Luz's mother has abandoned their family and has left Luz to live with an alcohol dependent father and a sister who was clearly ashamed of her surroundings. The situation that Luz is in is intense. During the book, she sits at her desk with a journal and her deck of Loteria cards. She's not in her room though. After a series of unfortunate events, Luz is residing under state custody while Estrella, her sister, fights for her life in the ICU and her father sits in prison. I did not connect to the book through the memories Luz had because I've never experienced any of the pain she has but I felt a connection through the cards.
I think the reason I enjoyed the book so much was because of how some of the cards and their connections to Luz's life were written. For example, La Pera (the pear) was a memory of how one of their dear family friends passed away. As Luz and her family were entering the waiting room at the hospital she sees one of her cousins sitting on the floor eating a pear. It's the small connections that I enjoyed the most. The way I kind of see the book written, and I'm not sure if this was what the author wanted but I see each chapter as a riddle to Luz's life. Since each card has a designated riddle that goes with it, Luz also has her own relationship with each card. The book got really intense during some sections and there were a lot of twists and surprises. Definitely inspired me to read more fiction.
Some of the cards......
Seems like you've been on quite the good book streak! I'd love if you gave me some recommendations since you've enjoyed everything you've picked in the past month or so. I think that the structure of this book is fascinating. I really like when authors experiment with structure and come up with something original, it can make the book a thousand times better. I also like the intentional symbolism that you picked up on. You can tell the author really put thought into the depth and meaning of each chapter. I hate analyzing in English class when I don't feel like the author was actually trying to use symbolism, but here you could see it was purposeful.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's great that you were able to have a cultural connection to the book. Lately there have been some emerging YouTube stars who are Sikh like me, and I'm sure the reason why they're my favourite YouTube personas is because I can connect with all their cultural references. I'm not latina but I do connect with the culture and always want to learn more about it, so I might pick up this book too, I think I'll enjoy it just like you did.
I like the idea of hooking story to symbolic objects. I could see you writing something like this, Kathy. I also want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good book! I always think it’s really great when authors find a way to make connections with their readers like Mario Zambrano did for you with the cultural ties. It just adds a whole new dimension to literature when a writer is able to include you in their conversation. Bringing up your own memories and experiences while you’re reading is a great way to enhance the story and really put you into it. It’s like breaking the 4th wall. Except, in this case, not in a harsh or obvious Ferris Bueller kind of way, but more subtle… Like opening a window in the wall rather than breaking it or something.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s even better if the whole reason you looked at the book in the first place is because you saw the title and it immediately sparked your memories. Then it means, from literally the first glance, Zambrano made a connection with you through his writing. He made you a part of the conversation.
I feel your pain about analyzing certain symbolism. Sometimes it just seems like authors try too hard. I think the really beautiful symbolism is almost undetectable in that it arises organically, slowly growing to represent something in a way that the writer themselves may not have originally intended. Maybe good symbolism isn’t created- it’s discovered.
I’m so interested by the concept behind this book! It’s so cool to me how people are able to write in a different way than other authors, and I think I’d really enjoy this book! The way this book is structured sounds a bit like flash fiction, I think? My flash fiction pieces kind of worked in the same way, as I found quotes and worked my story around them. The twists in this story seem like they would be fairly sudden and shocking, considering how you described the chapters as being stand-alone scenes. It makes me wonder what sort of twists there were. It always makes stories more interesting when something unexpected happens and I feel like, with the way this book is structured, it would be perfect for a lot of twists!
ReplyDeleteIt’s always cool when you can relate closely to a book, even if you haven’t been through the same experiences as the characters in it. It definitely speaks to the author’s skills when they can create situations that are outlandish, but still relatable. I often find that when I’m reading books, I sympathize with the main character, even if we may have nothing in common. The way the author included the tiny detail of the pear is really intriguing–maybe it had some other meaning than just relating to the cards?
Wow!! Very interesting.. I have Bingo blitz on my phone and I love it but I've never player or even heard of this game. It seems that it's a fun game to play with your family because it keeps you busy to where you never have a dull moment. I Love how you included pictures and how you related to the story with them playing the same game your family plays. I think this book may be a little sad because if the simple fact she has to move with her daddy and her very confused sister. Then her dad gets locked up and her sister is in ICU fighting for her life. If seems like a good book and it would be a wide range of readers.
ReplyDelete