I hated this book! Not because it was badly written - the writing was fine. Not because it was unrealistic - this may very well be the lives of so many women in this part of Mexico. It was just so damned bleak and depressing, going from bad to horrible. The somewhat hopeful ending just seemed like a bit of a teaser as you just knew that nothing ever really good was ever going to happen in the life of this character. Too black for me! This was a powerful book. It takes place in a Mexican village that is all women because the men have gone away to make money and never returned. All the girls are dressed as boys until they become young women and then they are made as ugly as possible and/or hidden in holes dug behind their houses. This is to prevent their being stolen by the drug lords who come in their SUVs with machine guns to take the girls - the more beautiful, the better.I was drawn in by this one.
Heart wrenching and haunting detail. Very well written. Fast enjoyable read...
—harrissa
A powerful story, with compelling, strong (and mostly tragic) characters.
—shunt
Heartwrenching and heartwarming a la vez
—lubna5295
Good quick read. Ending was terrific!
—farishii
