Las Madonnas De Echo Park (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
I liked the book. I didn't at first because I got frustrated trying to keep the plethora of characters straight. I finally gave up trying yo read it like a novel and just read it like a collection of short stories, at which point I enjoyed it more.The writing was fine with occasional lovely passages. I can't judge character development, because I didn't necessarily recognize the recurrence of characters I had "met" before.The fact that to me it read like loosely connected short stories is neither good nor bad, it's a style. For me, as a reader, sometimes it works better than others (for example I enjoyed in "A Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing").It was OK, but I probably wouldn't recommend it. Great book! It really helped me dive into a culture I know little about except from stereotypes I've seen on TV and movies. In fact, the interweaving threads of this book reminded me of a movie, Grand Canyon. (1991)Grand Canyon revolved around six residents from different backgrounds whose lives intertwine in modern-day Los Angeles. At the center of the film is the unlikely friendship of two men from different races and classes brought together when one finds himself in jeopardy in the other's rough neighborhood.The Madonnas, also set in Los Angeles, has a similar device, several characters tell their stories, largely unaware of how they connect to the other characters. Very compelling, a fast read, skillfully done! Bravo!
What do You think about Las Madonnas De Echo Park (2000)?
LOVED this book. What a fresh perspective, and it really evoked the feeling of the LA area..
—JeremyKeltner
Surprisingly good. If you like the film Crash, you will like this.
—srowan77
I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't.
—Samina
Read this book. Great writer. Great book.
—yodit
I loved this one--magic realism in L.A.
—senseibraun
