I initially had a really tough time getting into this work. The stories didn't seem particularly interesting at first, and I found it quite challenging to distinguish the four sisters from one another. However, things started to change once it reached the second part, which was about immigrating to the U.S. At that point, the narrative really picked up momentum and became more engaging. And when it got to the third part, which focused on the Dominican stories, I was completely hooked. In fact, I kind of wish that the entire book was filled with stories set in the DR. I think those parts were the most captivating. But I also totally understand why it's structured the way it is. The different parts likely serve to provide a more comprehensive and multi-faceted view of the characters and their experiences.

In this astonishing and thrilling novel, Julia Alvarez presents a literary feast filled with the spices and flavors of the Caribbean. Each of the three parts of the novel describes and follows the lives and emotional relationships of four sisters (Carla, Sandra, Yolanda, and Sofía) and traces their stormy adventures over thirty-three years, before and after their immigration from the Dominican Republic to the United States.

It is a process of examination and testing not only of the interpersonal relationships in society, at the highest social and racial levels, but also of the way in which people from the same background, with their combined experiences, knowledge, and education, live very different lives depending on the huge challenges of social change that befall them. It is thus a study of personality, and how each of the four girls has her own unique and independent personality. Alvarez has been helped in this by the long time span over which the events of the novel take place. The years between 1956 and 1989 provide a broad canvas that the author fills with dramatic and impactful events: starting from the dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo) that prevailed, to the Bohemian artistic lives, passing through the era of the youth revolution in the sixties.

It is also a novel that is clear and bold in a blatant way, discussing topics such as the loss of innocence and sexual frigidity, and the disease of anorexia nervosa or the loss of the pathological appetite, but it does so in an elegant and refined manner, with a sense of humor that makes laughter burst out in the most tragic situations. The comedy also seems present when the author analyzes the situations and attitudes of the four sisters towards issues such as marriage, work, and household chores, which are situations full of contrast but at the same time simultaneous, and the comedy arises from the occurrence of these situations at the same time. Here we find that the style reminds us of another intoxicating Latin American writer, Isabel Allende, and like Allende's stories - (Behind the Winter) as an example and also (Eva Luna) - it moves back and forth, from the present to the past and then back to the present again. And in the background we always see that description of historical events presented without a chronological order. At the heart of those events we find the era of (Trujillo)'s rule in the Dominican Republic, that era that was previously addressed and brilliantly in the novel (The Feast of the Goat) by the great Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa.

The García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez is one of the wonderful literary gifts that come to us from Latin America, and Julia Alvarez is one of the important voices from that rich continent in talents. Alvarez brings all the distinctive elements of great Latin American literature: the strong emotions of love, joy, hatred, and anger, passion and romance, the shameful sexual desire, and the boundless courage, and she pours these elements into a solid artistic construction.

This novel is more like an incantation to music or the reading of poetry: a sensual and beautiful experience, as well as a cultural and educational experience, and it leaves you with the feeling of having spent a good time with an amazing friend.

I read a little more than half of the book and soon realized that I would rather be engaged in absolutely any other activity. At first, I was excited by the title, which promised all the potential for eye-opening cultural conflict. However, as I delved deeper, it turned out to be chapter after chapter of privileged girls who attend boarding school and spend their summers in South America. They engage in petty fights with each other, using psychological babble, and even have nervous breakdowns while quoting classic literature.

Gag! It's all so tiresome and uninteresting. They love, divorce, have babies, and have all these feelings, but who really cares? They seem two-dimensional and completely un-relatable.

If you enjoy reading simply for the sake of reading, then perhaps this book is for you. But if you prefer your literature to be truly life-changing, perspective-expanding, or at the very least, entertaining, then I would suggest saving yourself the trouble and looking elsewhere. There are so many other books out there that can offer so much more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this story.

What really stood out to me was the strong emphasis placed on the four sisters and the intricate web of relationships they shared with one another.

As I was reading, I frequently found myself being reminded of my own siblings. The similarities between us and the sisters in the book were truly uncanny.

I have a particular love for reading stories that vividly depict the lives of immigrants and their arduous struggles in the United States. This is because it hits so close to home for me, as it mirrors what my own family has gone through here.

The only drawback, in my opinion, was that I wished the story had been longer. I was so engrossed in the lives of these characters that I didn't want it to end.

I wanted to know more about their future, their dreams, and how they would continue to grow and evolve.

Nonetheless, it was a wonderful read that left a lasting impression on me.

More than 2.5 and less than 3.

Therefore, we force it to 3.

This situation often occurs in various fields. For example, in measurement, when the actual value is between 2.5 and 3, we may need to make a decision to round it up to 3 for practical purposes.

In some calculations or estimations, such rounding can simplify the process and make the results more manageable.

However, it should be noted that this rounding may introduce a certain degree of error.

We need to carefully consider the impact of this error on the overall result and make appropriate adjustments if necessary.

In conclusion, while forcing a value between 2.5 and 3 to 3 can be a useful approach in some cases, we must also be aware of its limitations and potential consequences.

Maybe 3.5 stars.

The novel was told in reverse chronological order, which was an interesting approach. However, it was also a bit confusing as it was presented from a few different viewpoints.

It is an engaging story about four sisters who grew up in both the Dominican Republic and New York. The author vividly描绘s their experiences and how their lives are transformed by their upbringing in these two distinct cultures.

The sisters face various challenges and opportunities, and their relationships with each other and with the people around them are explored in depth.

Overall, it is an interesting read that offers a unique perspective on the immigrant experience and the power of family.

While the reverse chronological order and multiple viewpoints may take some getting used to, they ultimately add to the richness and complexity of the story.

This is a magnificently written book that delves into the journey of growing up as young women. It explores how the immigrant experience in America evolves from childhood to adulthood.

Alvarez's unique approach of giving each sister and parent their own distinct voice is truly remarkable. She masterfully endows them with larger-than-life personalities, all without spending an excessive amount of time on any one individual.

Any chapter that features all the sisters together evokes a sense of longing in me, making me wish I had a big group of siblings to share that kind of intimacy with.

However, I wasn't overly fond of the structure. It jumps from sister to sister in a nonlinear fashion, and I, being rather dull, prefer to follow a well-defined plot in a more straightforward manner.

Nevertheless, everything else about the book was simply lovely. The vivid descriptions, the emotional depth, and the overall charm of the story more than make up for the slightly unconventional structure. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

I'm not sure if it's just that I'm not in the right frame of mind for this book. It has been highly recommended to me, but I simply couldn't bring myself to finish it. I didn't feel any sort of connection with a single one of the characters. In fact, I managed to read two-thirds of it, but then I just lost interest.

I tried to push through, thinking that maybe something would happen to make it more engaging, but unfortunately, that never occurred. The story seemed to drag on, and I found myself constantly looking at the page count, wondering when it would finally end.

Maybe it's just a matter of personal taste, but for me, this book was a disappointment. I had such high hopes for it, but it just didn't deliver. I guess I'll have to look for something else to read that will capture my attention and keep me hooked from start to finish.

I really loved this little book very much.

It was truly the first book that I checked out from the library in a great many years.

When I saw it on the shelf, something about it immediately caught my eye.

I decided to give it a chance and bring it home.

As I started reading, I was quickly drawn into its pages.

The story was engaging and the writing style was simple yet charming.

It made me remember the joy of losing myself in a good book.

Every page turn was filled with anticipation and excitement.

I found myself reading late into the night, unable to put it down.

This little book has reignited my love for reading and I can't wait to explore more books from the library.

It has become a precious find and I will cherish it always.

One of the first books I ever read in college

was in an amazing course on 20th century female writers of color.

This course opened up a whole new world for me, introducing me to the powerful and diverse voices of these remarkable women.

The book I read was not only a literary masterpiece but also a window into the experiences and struggles of women who had been marginalized in society.

It made me realize the importance of representation and the need to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced.

As I delved deeper into the text, I was captivated by the author's use of language, her ability to paint vivid pictures and evoke strong emotions.

This book had a profound impact on me and set the stage for my love of literature and my interest in social justice.

It taught me that books have the power to change our perspectives, to make us more empathetic, and to inspire us to take action.

To this day, I still remember that first book and the lessons it taught me.

It is a testament to the enduring power of literature and the importance of studying the works of diverse writers.

The story of immigrants and their efforts to integrate into a new society while not forgetting their homeland.

It was only in the second or third chapter that the topic of language was delicately addressed. The story is defined from back to front, and sometimes I felt that there was no connection between the adulthood, youth, and childhood of these people. The end of the book really disappointed me.

In many of her short stories, Jhumpa Lahiri has depicted this issue of being an immigrant, having two cultures, and so on, much more beautifully.

Overall, this book did not meet my expectations.

I am accustomed to traditional linear story lines, which means that following the progression of events in this book presented a bit of a challenge for me. The non-linear structure made it a bit more difficult to keep track of what was happening and when. However, despite this initial hurdle, I found myself really enjoying the writing. The author's prose was engaging and descriptive, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Overall, I am extremely glad that I was finally able to read this book. It offered a unique and refreshing take on storytelling, forcing me to think outside the box and view the narrative from different perspectives. Although it may not have been the easiest read, it was definitely a rewarding one. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different and is willing to step out of their comfort zone when it comes to reading.