Rating: 4/5
The story is of two sisters – Camino and Yahaira. Camino lives in Dominican Republic while Yahaira lives in New York City. The two have never met, yet they share a father, their Papi. A father who cares for both of them, yet keeps his two lives separate. While he makes sure to give all he can to both of them, the protective cover he has made for himself breaks apart after he dies in flight – flying from New York City to the Dominican Republic.
The loss of a parent leaves a void that can never be filled. But when you realize the magnitude of the secrets that parent kept from you, it’s a whole other Pandora's box. Camino’s mother’s sister was all she had while Yahaira had a world’s worth of people to lean on during this time on need. But all the relatives were perhaps just sticking around for the compensation the family was about to get. While Camino’s family was small, she had an entire community mourning with her for her loss, while she was also facing the man she feared and her father kept at bay.
The book is a complex blend of loss, guidance, love, grief, playing them among community factors of nationalities and races. The overall theme of the book is simple – you take on reality as you get it.
The book is also not just confined to Camino and Yahaira, it brings to play everything concerned. Their mothers, their father, their love and family and obligations. There is a greater comparison between the sisters, where both are surrounded by leeching eyes. Camino, now that her father is gone, is being eyed to for the world where every girl who resides in their part of the country is fated for. Yahaira, while mourning, is expected to keep up with the family appearances and not falter.
As always, Acevedo’s writing doesn’t disappoint. The book is written in verse and poetry, undoubtedly, brings out the darkest and deepest of emotions. The book is one giant swirl into oblivion with no idea what is coming next.
Grab those tissues, folks! The waterworks don’t stop in this one.
Reviewed by Muskan Rajani
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