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sandraromerogz's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
tofuandtears's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Echoing a lot of reviews, I really enjoyed the concept and the prose, but I did feel that there was a bit lost in translation and I wanted more.
Some things are universal - seeing yourself in other women and wishing safety for them, mourning those that have been brutalized, and wanting justice even though it scares you - very relatable
I would whole heartedly recommend.
Some things are universal - seeing yourself in other women and wishing safety for them, mourning those that have been brutalized, and wanting justice even though it scares you - very relatable
I would whole heartedly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Murder
christyco125's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
ivibel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
apaleflame's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
daleee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
danagraph's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
tienen razón que conectas distinto con libros de tus país, puedo imaginarme un barrio argentino, reconozco algunos lugares (estuve en Tigre y fui a las islas) y las palabras, los modismos. pero así también, ver como los femicidios son iguales en todos lados, con gente que olvida o deja pasar las desapariciones. todo tan crudo. la verdad que lo leí por la curiosidad de saber porque ahora quieren censurarlo (lo cual me parece una re pavada porque la excusa es cualquiera, un pibe de 16-17 años puede leer estas cosas) y me llevó una historia que resonó en mí.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Alcohol
milooo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
imo, reading translated works always merits a more complicated rating system. because not only are you reflecting on the content of a book, you’re also reflecting on how it was translated, and how much you can suspend your disbelief to make room for the things that were lost in the translation process. this is especially the case here, because not only was this originally written in spanish, it was written in a very specific variation of it (argentinian spanish spoken in a barrio outside buenos aires). this is why i don’t want to judge the writing too harshly, because it is probably the way it is in order to elicit the same response as the original language, but the missing cultural context makes it so that it doesn’t exactly hit the mark. however, i do think it’s a very powerful story and concept, and i think it was very well executed. i was afraid that it might turn into a girlboss detective story, but the tone remained serious and appropriately grave throughout. the main character is fascinating, and although we’re technically in her head. it always feels like she keeps herself at a little bit of a distance. the story also brings attention to the main theme and topic (unsolved femicides) without placing the burden of fixing the issue on the female protagonist. whilst this doesn’t create the most hopeful tone, it unforgivingly exposes the problem in all its ugly injustice. the author is essentially lifting this issue into the light, pointing at the people responsible (cops, men, poverty) and says ‘you did this. now fix it’. a lot of the time, the responsibility of solving issues within a certain community is forced upon the members of that community who are actually suffering from the issue in the first place, so it was morbidly refreshing to not have this in this book. didn’t like the relationship with the cop
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
kari_f's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
4.0
“The world must be much larger than I’d imagined for so many people to have disappeared in it.”
A relatively short novel divided into three parts, Eartheater is a modern magical realism novel taking place in Argentina. The protagonist, whose name we never learn, has compulsions to consume earth; when she eats earth that has been touched by victims, she can see visions of them and the crimes committed against them. Though her body craves the earth, the visions are deeply troubling and violent… so while she often helps people discover the truth about what happened to their loved ones, it’s a deeply unsettling and repulsive feeling for her and for the reader.
There were so many important themes throughout this dark and atmospheric coming of age novel. I found it really interesting that the protagonist is essentially shunned by her community and peers for using her gift, even as others seek her out specifically for it. She lives in a slum, and the use of her power does not bring her immense wealth or respect.
It is no coincidence that most of the missing people she searches for are women, to the point where she decided she doesn’t want kids because girls go missing too often. I love that the author makes it clear that the violence against women has a huge impact on the world, seeping into the very soil we walk upon. The social commentary is dark and direct and unflinching, especially knowing that femicide rates in Argentina have continued to increase in the years since the book was written.
This is not a fun book by any means, but it’s an important one, a bizarrely interesting one, and a poignantly relevant one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
kerishma's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Death of parent