The story seemed to have just begun, but unfortunately, it did not finish. The author's writing was truly beautiful, with vivid descriptions and a graceful flow of words. However, despite the elegance of the language, the overall narrative felt rather dull.

Perhaps it was the lack of a clear plot or a driving force that kept the reader engaged. The beautiful writing alone was not enough to hold the attention and create a sense of excitement. It was as if the story was trapped in a state of stasis, unable to move forward and reach a satisfying conclusion.

Nevertheless, the beauty of the writing should not be overlooked. It was a testament to the author's skill and creativity. With a bit more work on the plot and pacing, this could have been a truly remarkable piece. As it stands, it leaves the reader with a sense of disappointment, longing for more substance and a more fulfilling reading experience.

Another wonderful book!

This woman hails from Cuba. She was exiled by her furious father due to a youthful sexual indiscretion. Now, she resides in Spanish Harlem and is employed by a wealthy NYC family. The story delves into her family life. Her husband affectionately refers to her as his "Empress--of the splendid season which is love", yet he suffers from a chronic illness that restricts his contributions to the family. Her children face the challenges of growing up with varying degrees of pain and drama. All in all, it makes for another excellent read.

She works extremely hard. These women bring to my mind and heart the helpers who have always been a part of my life. They remind me of how much I loved each one of them. There's Sara, who worked for my mother, grandmother, and me. She always had a special day for me when I would return to NY state while my husband was on an "overseas" (meaning "went to war") tour. Then there's Mary, who did all the household work for 7 years when we lived in NC, and she did it all in one day a week for just $35.00. Mrs. Martin, a 70-year-old widow, babysat my children while I fulfilled my Marine Corps wife duties in Kansas. Suchiko cleaned and ironed for us in Okinawa, and my dear Lorena does it all here in Phoenix. It has been my privilege to know and love these women, and they have each given me gifts of the spirit, as well as helping to organize me and keep me going. That's precisely why I have relished this series of books so very much.

I really enjoyed this book.

At first, it took me a bit of time to get accustomed to the (perhaps overuse?) of parentheses. However, once I got into the rhythm, it didn't bother me much.

The author's writing style was so easy and relaxed that it felt as if I was traveling right along with the main character through his life.

It was truly a great read, especially during the pandemic isolation when we all needed something to keep us occupied and entertained.

The story was engaging and held my attention from beginning to end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and light-hearted read.

I really enjoyed this book.

It had many engaging aspects that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story was filled with interesting characters and a captivating plot.

However, there was one area that I felt a bit confused about. I didn't fully understand how and why Lydia and Raul got together and were presumably so in love with one another.

Their relationship seemed to develop rather quickly, and I would have liked more details and backstory to truly understand the depth of their connection.

Despite this minor flaw, the book was still a fantastic read. The author's writing style was engaging, and the overall story was well-crafted.

I would highly recommend this book to others who enjoy a good mystery or romance novel.

I really liked this book, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations as much as I had hoped.

Lydia, the main character, comes across as rather annoying. She seems to be haughty for no apparent reason, which makes it difficult to empathize with her.

In the latter third of the book, there are a couple of scenes that seem out of place. One involves voyeurism, and the other touches on religion. These scenes feel gratuitous and almost faked, as if they were added just for the sake of adding something controversial.

However, on the positive side, the pacing of the book was decent, and there was a nice story arc that kept me engaged. I also really enjoyed the details about New York City, which added a lot of authenticity to the setting.

Overall, while there were some aspects of the book that I liked, there were also several that fell short. I would still recommend it to others, but with the caveat that it may not be as good as they expect.

There is indeed something quite beautiful about delving into the life of this woman who works as a house cleaner in New York. However, the narrative doesn't exactly progress at a rapid pace. In fact, it seems to lack a strong and engaging plot.

I initially thought the story was good. But upon further reflection, I subtracted a star. The main reason being that I'm not entirely sure who I would recommend this to.

I suppose it could be given to an avid reader who is specifically seeking something slow and steady. Such a reader might appreciate the细腻的描写 and the in-depth exploration of the woman's daily life.

However, if I were to attempt to give it to a young adult, I can almost guarantee that they would quickly get bored with it. Young adults usually prefer more action-packed and fast-paced stories that keep them on the edge of their seats.

This story, with its slower pace and lack of a traditional plot, simply doesn't seem to fit the bill for that demographic.

I completely overlooked this when it was first published in 1999. However, I came across it at a used book sale, mainly because I was a big fan of the author's other works.

What a beautiful and tender story it turned out to be! Lydia, the protagonist, was so relatable to me. She was a complex character, mostly likable but not entirely. She was constantly striving to get through her days while still dreaming of better things, just like the rest of us.

I thoroughly enjoyed each and every vignette of her ordinary life. For instance, the story of her longing for a fur coat and then finally obtaining it, only to lose it later, was told in such an achingly beautiful way.

I really don't understand those reviewers who criticized the book for lacking a plot. In my opinion, it didn't need a traditional plot. The simple yet profound描绘 of Lydia's life experiences was enough to engage and move the reader. It was a book that made me reflect on my own life and the small joys and sorrows that we all encounter.

FWRC. Gord

Sorry, I don't remember much. It seems that it didn't leave a deep impression on me. Maybe it was just a passing encounter that didn't really stick in my mind.

I tried to recall the details, but it's all rather模糊. There were no specific events or moments that stood out.

Perhaps it was because I was preoccupied with other things at the time, or maybe the experience itself was just not that remarkable.

Nevertheless, I'm sure there were some aspects of it that I might have overlooked or forgotten.

Maybe with a little more effort, I could jog my memory and remember something more significant.

But for now, all I can say is that it didn't have a lasting impact on me.

I'd like to give this a 4.5. Hijuelos' beautifully crafted novel, which initially seems to ramble, but never strays from the core of its story, offers the reader a bird's-eye view of what it means to be an émigré - in this case, a Cuban - in the US.

Moreover, it is much more than that. It is a novel that delves deeply into its characters through the course of their day, their inner thoughts, and the stories they share about others who populate their lives. The narrative weaves together these elements in a seamless tapestry, painting a vivid and nuanced picture of the human experience.

I am a devoted fan of Latin American writers, and Hijuelos truly shines as a star among them. His ability to bring the characters and their world to life is nothing short of remarkable. This novel is a testament to his talent and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complex themes of identity, displacement, and the search for belonging.

This is a great book indeed.

The story it tells is so captivating that it has continuously held my attention and made me eager to keep reading.

From the very beginning, the plot unfolds in a way that draws you in and makes you curious about what will happen next.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

As I progress through the book, I find myself more and more invested in their lives and fates.

The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, which makes the reading experience even more enjoyable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story that can transport them to another world and keep them entertained from start to finish.

In this book, not a great deal seems to occur on the surface - yet it encompasses an entire lifetime.

Lydia is a charming woman hailing from a privileged Cuban family. However, fate takes an unexpected turn, and she finds herself working as a cleaning woman in the bustling city of New York.

She has her share of strengths and weaknesses, which leads one to wonder: why is it that we often seem to repeat the mistakes of our parents when we are raising our own children?

Sr. Hijuelos proves to be a talented storyteller, skillfully weaving together the threads of Lydia's life in a way that keeps the reader engaged and思考.

His ability to bring the characters and their experiences to life makes this book a captivating read, despite the seemingly ordinary events that unfold within its pages.

It is a story that delves into the complexities of human nature and the choices we make, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

I really hated it. It was so difficult and uninteresting that I could hardly bring myself to finish it.

Every time I tried to work on it, I felt a sense of dread and boredom creeping in. The task seemed never-ending, and I found myself constantly looking for excuses to put it off.

I just couldn't understand why I had to do this in the first place. It didn't seem to have any value or purpose to me.

However, I knew that I had to persevere and get it done. So, I gritted my teeth and pushed through, one step at a time.

Finally, when I completed it, I felt a sense of relief, but also a bit of resentment that I had wasted so much time and energy on something I hated.

I hope I never have to go through something like that again.