Helpful Score: 1
This has to be one of the most amazing books I have ever read! Sprawling in scope, yet it kept my interest throughout its entire 790 pages. The story of Vidamia, Billy Farrell and their life and family was actually quite simple and probably could have been told in a lot less pages, but it definitely would not have been the same experience.
I guess some would say the story rambled it provided detailed histories of many of the lesser characters and seemed to jump all over the place at times. However, Yunque pulled this off brilliantly. I really loved these histories of the characters, especially some of the details of Southern rural life as seen through the eyes of Pop Butterworth, Buck Sanderson, and Lurleens family. Some of the Buck Sanderson story was also very erotic including his early sexual encounters! Then there was the constant overlay of music and jazz in particular with guest appearances by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, etc. (Although I only listen to jazz on occasion, I had to go out and get a couple of Miles Davis CDs. I have really been enjoying them!)
I also loved all the information about New York Puerto Rican culture and the discussions about race and color (especially the arguments between Vidamia and Wyn about the meaning of being black and people of color). There was also the irony of how Vidamia learns more about her Puerto Rican culture by hanging out with her white half sister than from her Puerto Rican mother and stepfather.
As I was reading, I knew that the story was leading to a tragic conclusion but I was still shocked by its outcome. I thought the scene where Billy finally regained the memory he lost in Vietnam, the true story of why his friend was murdered and what led up to it was overwhelming. I was hoping that everything would work out for Billy and his family but the story reminds us that tragedy and pain can always intervene in life.
I guess some would say the story rambled it provided detailed histories of many of the lesser characters and seemed to jump all over the place at times. However, Yunque pulled this off brilliantly. I really loved these histories of the characters, especially some of the details of Southern rural life as seen through the eyes of Pop Butterworth, Buck Sanderson, and Lurleens family. Some of the Buck Sanderson story was also very erotic including his early sexual encounters! Then there was the constant overlay of music and jazz in particular with guest appearances by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, etc. (Although I only listen to jazz on occasion, I had to go out and get a couple of Miles Davis CDs. I have really been enjoying them!)
I also loved all the information about New York Puerto Rican culture and the discussions about race and color (especially the arguments between Vidamia and Wyn about the meaning of being black and people of color). There was also the irony of how Vidamia learns more about her Puerto Rican culture by hanging out with her white half sister than from her Puerto Rican mother and stepfather.
As I was reading, I knew that the story was leading to a tragic conclusion but I was still shocked by its outcome. I thought the scene where Billy finally regained the memory he lost in Vietnam, the true story of why his friend was murdered and what led up to it was overwhelming. I was hoping that everything would work out for Billy and his family but the story reminds us that tragedy and pain can always intervene in life.
