Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo Review – Exploring Magic and Taboos
In 2020, Elizabeth Acevedo won me over with her contribution to the anthology The Phoenix Must Burn First. Her story, The Gilded One, was so special that it led me to explore her other books in the spring—a time when reading becomes a regular part of lockdown. I knew that if he knew that she had sold her first adult novel, he learned to see an honest review from Harpercollen.
Rome will be around the flower that can guarantee the death of others. When she decides to organize her living wake up, she is not sure whether her family predicts her fall or predicts the fall of someone nearby. This story contains second -generation women and thinks about their lives before waking up. At first, it took me a while to fully engage in conversation and be able to tell the differences between sisters and girls. Some chapters are told from the perspective of Flor’s daughter, Oona, an anthropologist who interviews other family members. The lines become blurred and we don’t know if we are witnessing their perspective or their story filtered through the One. The story also deviates from a linear timeline, jumping back and forth between different decades and the present due to its reflective nature. The writing style may not be to everyone’s taste. It’s slower and different than Acevedo’s YA books. But the six women in the story have an irresistible charm that keeps you turning the pages. Acevedo doesn’t shy away from tackling taboo subjects, exploring complex family relationships, and incorporating explicit sexual content.
These are true Caribbean women and their character transcends their native upbringing. Each woman has a unique magic that sets her apart from the typical witch image. I was able to connect these women’s stories with my own family. Because they shared familiar stories of infidelity, fertility issues, abuse while trying to build a life, and overlooked sisters. The two women seem similar at first, but their experiences intersect and they follow unique paths. It is important to note that this book is not an adult version of Acevedo’s previous work. It’s her most ambitious yet. If you like books like Halsey Street, this novel will give you that experience.
