Helpful Score: 3
Written with a lot of heart. I was hoping for a little more supernatural elements, but since this is technically about a woman who actually existed I suppose it can't be too supernatural.
Helpful Score: 3
I really loved this book, which did remind me of Gabriel García Márquez, although it's been a while since I've read anything by him. So maybe it's more that it reminds me of how I remember GGM: epic, earthy Magical Realism.
I love the sharp contrasts of Urrea's writing -- between the earthiness of the setting, the every day magic that takes place and the spiritual side of Teresita; in the various levels of POV, from very distanced, generic descriptions (the People, lengthy lists) to intimate details of individual lives. He created a book which is both sweeping and intimate, which made me feel alternately comfortable and outraged.
I love the sharp contrasts of Urrea's writing -- between the earthiness of the setting, the every day magic that takes place and the spiritual side of Teresita; in the various levels of POV, from very distanced, generic descriptions (the People, lengthy lists) to intimate details of individual lives. He created a book which is both sweeping and intimate, which made me feel alternately comfortable and outraged.
Helpful Score: 3
This book had me weeping more than once. The incredibly moving story of Teresa Urrea, The Hummingbird's Daughter, is based on a true historical figure who inspired a Mexican revolution, and who also happens to be a distant relation of the author, Luis Alberto Urrea. The first sections describe in realistic detail the impoverished childhood of a mixed-race girl, bastard daughter of a landowner and an Indian worker who abandons her child. However, the girl receives wealth beyond gold when she is taken in by a gifted medicine woman. When Teresa's own powers bloom, she astonishes everyone around her. A gripping tale of a truly good person facing down the evil of our world.
Sprawling. Gives a good feel for a period and culture of Mexican history.
best book i have read in a long time, couldn't put it down
It was a pretty interesting story, though I think I would have enjoyed it more if I spoke Spanish or knew more about Mexican history. It was a pretty fast read.
Magnificient book. I much prefer Urrea to Marquez, actually.
So vivid, so beautiful, so sad all at once. I absolutely loved Teresita, she is a beautiful person, who passes no judgement. What else must I say?
This book is beautifully written and I had the added pleasure of listening to the unabridged audiobook read by the author. This meant that each Mexican name or word was perfectly pronounced and the pace and timing of the poetic prose was set forth before me just as it was intended to be heard. As Urrea explains in an interview, this book is a blend of nonfiction (years and years of research), poetry and storytelling. This exquisite combination brings Teresita, soon to become the Saint of Cabora, magically to life in Nineteenth Century Mexico.
I really enjoyed reading this book
From the cover . . . "Selected as one of the best books of the year by the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Washington Post."
And . . . "Miracles and passion abound in this mesmerizing novel . . . the story of a young woman whose gifts as a healer lend her the aura of a saint."
And . . . "Miracles and passion abound in this mesmerizing novel . . . the story of a young woman whose gifts as a healer lend her the aura of a saint."
