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My Mother Cursed My Name: A Novel
Three generations of fiercely strong and stubborn Mexican American women face grief head-on as they attempt to shed generational trauma and discover the true meaning of home in this lyrical novel that features magical realism in the tradition of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and The House of the Spirits.For generations, the Olivares women have sought to control their daughters’ destinies, starting with their names. In life, Olvido constantly clashed with her carefree daughter. Then teenage Angustias discovered she was pregnant and left her mother’s home in search of her own. Ten years later, Felicitas finally meets her estranged grandmother and is terribly disappointed when Olvido is nothing like a grandmother should be. She is strict, cold, and…dead. Now, Olvido is convinced the only way her spirit will cross over is if she resolves her unfinished business—to make sure Angustias is in a better place regarding family, job, husband, and God, but maybe not in that order—and Felicitas is the only person who can see or hear her. Heartbroken about her mother’s passing and desperate to put Olvido’s tiny Texas home in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible, Angustias doesn’t understand why suddenly everyone in town seems to be conspiring to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town, offer her jobs, and invite her and Felicitas to church every Sunday. As Olvido attempts to puppeteer her granddaughter to “fix” Angustias’s life from beyond the grave, Angustias tries desperately to find a better place for Felicitas, and Felicitas struggles to keep her ability to see the dead a secret from Angustias, all three Olivares girls are forced to learn how to actually listen to one another, to work to overcome generations’ worth of well-intentioned mistakes and learn the true definition of home.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2024
111 people are currently reading
13462 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
March 14, 2025
generational family drama about magical women yay!
while i didn't like the writing of this (please, for the love of god, use the word "said") or the repetitiveness (we are forced into the same dialogue roughly 900 times), and it could've been 100 pages shorter, and there is some real bad interpersonal behavior on display here...
i enjoyed this!
i liked the story, and i liked the grumpy granddaughter / ghost grandma dynamic. and it made me hungry as hell.
bottom line: another win for food descriptions.
(3.5 / thanks to the publisher for the copy)
while i didn't like the writing of this (please, for the love of god, use the word "said") or the repetitiveness (we are forced into the same dialogue roughly 900 times), and it could've been 100 pages shorter, and there is some real bad interpersonal behavior on display here...
i enjoyed this!
i liked the story, and i liked the grumpy granddaughter / ghost grandma dynamic. and it made me hungry as hell.
bottom line: another win for food descriptions.
(3.5 / thanks to the publisher for the copy)
December 28, 2023
I fell in love with this novel from the very first page. It is perfection! What a privilege to have been an early reader!
September 12, 2024
TITLE: MY MOTHER CURSED MY NAME
AUTHOR: Anamely Salgado Reyes
PUB DATE: 07.30.2024
Amazing debut
Magical realism
Fierce women
This was such an interesting and powerful read that was about family, traumas, and a sprinkling of magic. The character development was exceptional and story itself was gripping. This is the perfect book for book clubs.
AUTHOR: Anamely Salgado Reyes
PUB DATE: 07.30.2024
Amazing debut
Magical realism
Fierce women
This was such an interesting and powerful read that was about family, traumas, and a sprinkling of magic. The character development was exceptional and story itself was gripping. This is the perfect book for book clubs.
July 27, 2024
This is a beautiful and powerful read about generational trauma and familiarity bonds.
Beginning several generations ago, the Olivares women seek to control their daughter’s lives through their names. The most recent trio of Olivares women are Felicitas (youngest daughter), Angustias (mother), and Olvido (grandmother). Olvido kicks Angustias out when she was a pregnant teen, and their relationship never fully recovered. Felicitas has never seen or spoken to her grandmother, but finds out about Olvido’s death when she appears as a ghost. Soon after, Angustias gets the call and they head to Texas to deal with Olvido’s affairs. The old woman believes she can’t cross over because she needs to be buried in Mexico, and enlists her granddaughter to help her. When that doesn’t work, her new plan to crossover is to make sure Angustias is happy by connecting her with three things: God, a job, and a husband. Olvido continues to try to control Angustias through her daughter and the townspeople to make these things happen. Through lots of misguided (though well intended) actions, the three of them begin to tackle generations of trauma passed from mother to daughter. Only through learning from and listening to each other do they overcome their differences and heal.
I can’t believe this is a debut. It’s so well written, thought out, and insanely relatable. It’s a magical realism mix of entertaining and emotional. Perfect for your next book club pick! The plot itself is a little slow, but the storytelling and character relationships are so interesting that I enjoyed the extra time to get to know them.
Thank you to Atria books and Netgally for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Beginning several generations ago, the Olivares women seek to control their daughter’s lives through their names. The most recent trio of Olivares women are Felicitas (youngest daughter), Angustias (mother), and Olvido (grandmother). Olvido kicks Angustias out when she was a pregnant teen, and their relationship never fully recovered. Felicitas has never seen or spoken to her grandmother, but finds out about Olvido’s death when she appears as a ghost. Soon after, Angustias gets the call and they head to Texas to deal with Olvido’s affairs. The old woman believes she can’t cross over because she needs to be buried in Mexico, and enlists her granddaughter to help her. When that doesn’t work, her new plan to crossover is to make sure Angustias is happy by connecting her with three things: God, a job, and a husband. Olvido continues to try to control Angustias through her daughter and the townspeople to make these things happen. Through lots of misguided (though well intended) actions, the three of them begin to tackle generations of trauma passed from mother to daughter. Only through learning from and listening to each other do they overcome their differences and heal.
I can’t believe this is a debut. It’s so well written, thought out, and insanely relatable. It’s a magical realism mix of entertaining and emotional. Perfect for your next book club pick! The plot itself is a little slow, but the storytelling and character relationships are so interesting that I enjoyed the extra time to get to know them.
Thank you to Atria books and Netgally for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2024
So, My Mother Cursed My Name by Anamely Salgado Reyes came highly recommended, and a lot of people seem to really love it—but for me? It was just okay. Now, don’t get me wrong, the writing is top-notch, and the story itself is solid, but I just couldn’t fully connect with it for some reason. That being said, I’m definitely not trying to knock the book because I really think it’s one of those reads where you’ve got to check it out for yourself and decide.
Personally, I need a book to hook me in fast and take me on a ride, so slower pacing or a story that takes its time doesn’t always work for me. But I can totally see a lot of readers falling in love with this one. It just didn’t do it for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.
Personally, I need a book to hook me in fast and take me on a ride, so slower pacing or a story that takes its time doesn’t always work for me. But I can totally see a lot of readers falling in love with this one. It just didn’t do it for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.
September 13, 2024
For generations, the Olivares women have tried to control their daughters' destinies by their names. Teenage Angustias left her mother's (Olvido) home when she was pregnant. Ten years later, Felicitas finally meets her estranged grandmother, only as a ghost. But before Olvido's spirit crosses over, she has unfinished business to resolve.
Candid moments permeate the pages - Reyes crafts textured characters whose stubbornness can seem hilarious and relatable. As these characters inherit generational mistakes, their souls are dictated by endless resentment. Full of brain and heart, the plot starts slow and it's dramatic in a good way that captures the reader's attention.
The story is punctuated by serious moments, yet even the morbid scenes embody a sense of humor (reads hilarity) that gives this book an unexpected light-hearted mood. Throughout the narrative, one gets to see memories of joy coming to the surface and following their journeys spark interesting and hopeful self-reflections.
With feisty prose, Reyes tenderly covers longing, grief, faith and the meaning of home. At its core, this novel is about the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship - of those hurt by past wounds, the way values are forced to change in a better way and the reconnection with the family that is emotionally written through real characters. More importantly, the character development is well done.
Inspired by her own family, MY MOTHER CURSED MY NAME is a beautiful debut that centers around family bond and forgiveness. This is the kind of story that I am so fond of.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Atria books . All thoughts are my own ]
Candid moments permeate the pages - Reyes crafts textured characters whose stubbornness can seem hilarious and relatable. As these characters inherit generational mistakes, their souls are dictated by endless resentment. Full of brain and heart, the plot starts slow and it's dramatic in a good way that captures the reader's attention.
The story is punctuated by serious moments, yet even the morbid scenes embody a sense of humor (reads hilarity) that gives this book an unexpected light-hearted mood. Throughout the narrative, one gets to see memories of joy coming to the surface and following their journeys spark interesting and hopeful self-reflections.
With feisty prose, Reyes tenderly covers longing, grief, faith and the meaning of home. At its core, this novel is about the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship - of those hurt by past wounds, the way values are forced to change in a better way and the reconnection with the family that is emotionally written through real characters. More importantly, the character development is well done.
Inspired by her own family, MY MOTHER CURSED MY NAME is a beautiful debut that centers around family bond and forgiveness. This is the kind of story that I am so fond of.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Atria books . All thoughts are my own ]
March 1, 2025
“México Lindo y Querido
Si muero lejos de ti
Que digan que estoy dormido
Y que me traigan aquí” 😭
- Abuelita Olvidó made it back to Mexico 🤧
Generational trauma was imagined and taught in this book. Felicidas’ relationship with her grandma was a little rocky, but they overcame. I love how she learned how to cook by her grandma and learned so many stories.
Si muero lejos de ti
Que digan que estoy dormido
Y que me traigan aquí” 😭
- Abuelita Olvidó made it back to Mexico 🤧
Generational trauma was imagined and taught in this book. Felicidas’ relationship with her grandma was a little rocky, but they overcame. I love how she learned how to cook by her grandma and learned so many stories.
April 21, 2025
Book Review 🌼🪦✨
Thank you partner @atriabooks for the gifted copy!
My Mother Cursed My Name
by Anamely Salgado Reyes
About the book 👇🏽
For generations, the Olivares women have sought to control their daughters’ destinies, starting with their names. In life, Olvido constantly clashed with her carefree daughter. Then teenage Angustias discovered she was pregnant and left her mother’s home in search of her own. Ten years later, Felicitas finally meets her estranged grandmother and is terribly disappointed when Olvido is nothing like a grandmother should be. She is strict, cold, and…dead.
Now, Olvido is convinced the only way her spirit will cross over is if she resolves her unfinished business—to make sure Angustias is in a better place regarding family, job, husband, and God—and Felicitas is the only person who can see or hear her. Heartbroken about her mother’s passing and desperate to put Olvido’s tiny Texas home in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible, Angustias doesn’t understand why suddenly everyone in town seems to be conspiring to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town, offer her jobs, and invite her and Felicitas to church every Sunday.
As Olvido attempts to puppeteer her granddaughter to “fix” Angustias’s life from beyond the grave, Angustias tries desperately to find a better place for Felicitas, and Felicitas struggles to keep her ability to see the dead a secret from Angustias, all three Olivares girls are forced to learn how to actually listen to one another.
🪦 My thoughts:
I love magical realism and this grumpy granddaughter and dead grandmother duo did not disappoint! Although this story follows three generations of Olivares women, it was Felicitas and Olvido that stood out to me the most. This story of Mexican American women facing grief and generational trauma all while trying to find what home means and trying to heal with a little bit of magic is something special. I laughed, I cried, and I’m sure it’ll stick with me for some time. I don’t know what took me so long to read this but I am glad I finally did! I can’t wait to read what Anamely Salgado Reyes comes out with next!
Happy reading 📖✨🌼🪦
Thank you partner @atriabooks for the gifted copy!
My Mother Cursed My Name
by Anamely Salgado Reyes
About the book 👇🏽
For generations, the Olivares women have sought to control their daughters’ destinies, starting with their names. In life, Olvido constantly clashed with her carefree daughter. Then teenage Angustias discovered she was pregnant and left her mother’s home in search of her own. Ten years later, Felicitas finally meets her estranged grandmother and is terribly disappointed when Olvido is nothing like a grandmother should be. She is strict, cold, and…dead.
Now, Olvido is convinced the only way her spirit will cross over is if she resolves her unfinished business—to make sure Angustias is in a better place regarding family, job, husband, and God—and Felicitas is the only person who can see or hear her. Heartbroken about her mother’s passing and desperate to put Olvido’s tiny Texas home in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible, Angustias doesn’t understand why suddenly everyone in town seems to be conspiring to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town, offer her jobs, and invite her and Felicitas to church every Sunday.
As Olvido attempts to puppeteer her granddaughter to “fix” Angustias’s life from beyond the grave, Angustias tries desperately to find a better place for Felicitas, and Felicitas struggles to keep her ability to see the dead a secret from Angustias, all three Olivares girls are forced to learn how to actually listen to one another.
🪦 My thoughts:
I love magical realism and this grumpy granddaughter and dead grandmother duo did not disappoint! Although this story follows three generations of Olivares women, it was Felicitas and Olvido that stood out to me the most. This story of Mexican American women facing grief and generational trauma all while trying to find what home means and trying to heal with a little bit of magic is something special. I laughed, I cried, and I’m sure it’ll stick with me for some time. I don’t know what took me so long to read this but I am glad I finally did! I can’t wait to read what Anamely Salgado Reyes comes out with next!
Happy reading 📖✨🌼🪦
April 20, 2025
A truly lovely exploration of mother-daughter relationships.
July 18, 2024
This debut novel tracks three generations of fiercely strong and stubborn Mexican American women as they attempt to shed generational trauma and discover the true meaning of home.
The matriarch, Olvido, constantly clashed with her carefree daughter. Teenage Angustias left her mother’s home in search of her own when she was pregnant. Ten years later, her daughter, Felicitas, finally meets her estranged grandmother who is strict, cold, and…dead.
Olvido convinces her granddaughter to help her resolve her unfinished business so she can finally cross over. In the end, all three Olivares girls overcome generations’ worth of well-intentioned mistakes by finally listening to each other.
The pacing and writing were spot on. I loved the magical realism. It reminded me of The House of the Spirits by Isabell Allende. But the heartfelt focus on family (and cooking) reminded me of the movie Tortilla Soup. I loved the play on words and language. As a Latina who understands but is not fluent in Spanish, I related to Felicitas having to navigate being in a place that feels familiar but isn’t fluent.
She fits into her new town but can’t quite define how she feels about her grandmother. Emotions can be hard to pinpoint, especially at such a tender age. Felicitas realizes she has a longing for Olvido—but how can you long for someone you never knew? In the end, all three women realize they are longing for each other. Walls come down and wounds are healed.
Highly recommend this debut novel and look forward to future reads from this author.
Thank you to @netgalley, @simonandschuster and @atriabooks for sharing this #ARC
June 14, 2024
For generations the Olivares women have tried to control their daughters lives. They would actually fight, becoming estranged for a time.
The three Olivares girls' are beginning to listen to each other and learning the true meaning of home.
I want to Thank Atria books for sending me this book
The three Olivares girls' are beginning to listen to each other and learning the true meaning of home.
I want to Thank Atria books for sending me this book
December 5, 2024
Multiple generations of Olivares women choosing names for their daughters that will define who they are. "My Mother Cursed My Name" by Anamely Salgado Reyes focuses on Felicitas her mother Angustias, and her grandmother Olvido and the many years of generational family trauma that surrounds these three. A beautiful story that deep dives into mother-daughter relationships, the fractures and strengths those relationships hold and understanding choices and the outcomes that come along with those choices.
When Angustias and Felicitas have to go to her mother's home after Olivdo's passing, Angustias struggles to return to the home she left as a teenage mother. And though Angustias wants to get the affairs in order and leave Grace, TX as soon as possible but her daughter Felicitas has other plans. And that's because her grandmother Olvido has other plans. And how can Felicitas possibly know her grandmother whom she's never met has other plans? Well, because Felicitas can see ghosts. But Felicitas isn't the only Olivares family member with a specialness to them.
Deeply heart wrenching, entertaining, and full of a community of characters supporting the three Olivares women in life and death.
When Angustias and Felicitas have to go to her mother's home after Olivdo's passing, Angustias struggles to return to the home she left as a teenage mother. And though Angustias wants to get the affairs in order and leave Grace, TX as soon as possible but her daughter Felicitas has other plans. And that's because her grandmother Olvido has other plans. And how can Felicitas possibly know her grandmother whom she's never met has other plans? Well, because Felicitas can see ghosts. But Felicitas isn't the only Olivares family member with a specialness to them.
Deeply heart wrenching, entertaining, and full of a community of characters supporting the three Olivares women in life and death.
January 5, 2025
This is an easy read about three generations of daughters who struggle with the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship. I loved the element of Mexican culture and enjoyed this book.
August 8, 2024
Thank you Atria Books for the #gifted finished copy and thank you Simon Audio for my #gifted listening copy of My Mother Cursed My Name! #AtriaPartner #atriabooks #MyMotherCursedMyName #AnamelySalgadoReyes #simonaudio
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!
5★
This book was absolutely incredible! It was powerful and magical and I loved the focus on family and healing. This was a story about three generations of Mexican American mothers and daughters who were trying to survive their own grief and generational trauma. It’s the type of story that will stick with you for a long time. Each of the three main characters were so well-crafted, that you couldn’t help but fall in love with each one of them. They were just so real and vulnerable and I just really could not put this one down.
🎧I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by three amazing narrators: Yareli Arizmendi, Marisa Blake, and Karla Serrato. I loved how each one did such a great job bringing each of their respective characters to life and truly were just so dynamic in their roles. Each voice was so distinct and made following along on audio so easy to follow. I highly recommend this one on audio if you are looking for a beautiful and tender story to get lost in.
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!
5★
This book was absolutely incredible! It was powerful and magical and I loved the focus on family and healing. This was a story about three generations of Mexican American mothers and daughters who were trying to survive their own grief and generational trauma. It’s the type of story that will stick with you for a long time. Each of the three main characters were so well-crafted, that you couldn’t help but fall in love with each one of them. They were just so real and vulnerable and I just really could not put this one down.
🎧I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by three amazing narrators: Yareli Arizmendi, Marisa Blake, and Karla Serrato. I loved how each one did such a great job bringing each of their respective characters to life and truly were just so dynamic in their roles. Each voice was so distinct and made following along on audio so easy to follow. I highly recommend this one on audio if you are looking for a beautiful and tender story to get lost in.
July 27, 2024
MY MOTHER CURSED MY NAME by Anamely Salgado Reyes
This debut magical realism novel follows three generations of strong-willed, Mexican-American women. The story highlights the highs and lows of mother-daughter/grandmother-granddaughter relationships and generational trauma quite well.
Though a bit of a slow burn, the Olivares women were interesting and relatable. As they struggled to understand each other, began to open up, be vulnerable and discover truths about themselves, I found myself thinking about my own experiences in a new way.
The magical realism aspect enhanced the story without it feeling contrived or cheesy. I especially loved how their names (Olvido, Angustias and Felicitas) were the opposite of their personalities. It shows how names and labels can hold power.
Overall, a clever and wonderful coming of age story that will appeal to YA readers and beyond.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Pub Date: July 30, 2024
**ARC won via a Goodreads Atira Books & SimonAndSchuster giveaway - thank you!
This debut magical realism novel follows three generations of strong-willed, Mexican-American women. The story highlights the highs and lows of mother-daughter/grandmother-granddaughter relationships and generational trauma quite well.
Though a bit of a slow burn, the Olivares women were interesting and relatable. As they struggled to understand each other, began to open up, be vulnerable and discover truths about themselves, I found myself thinking about my own experiences in a new way.
The magical realism aspect enhanced the story without it feeling contrived or cheesy. I especially loved how their names (Olvido, Angustias and Felicitas) were the opposite of their personalities. It shows how names and labels can hold power.
Overall, a clever and wonderful coming of age story that will appeal to YA readers and beyond.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Pub Date: July 30, 2024
**ARC won via a Goodreads Atira Books & SimonAndSchuster giveaway - thank you!
December 4, 2024
This was a moving, lyrical debut about three generations of strong Mexican American women told from alternating POVs as they navigate their complicated mother-daughter relationships, deal with intergenerational trauma and grapple with what it means to be women of color in America today. I really enjoyed this on audio, thought the characters were raw and relatable and enjoyed all the food descriptions! Highly recommended for fans of books like Ann Napolitano's Hello, beautiful or The inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
July 15, 2024
For disclaimer purposes: I won this in a goodreads giveaway. I am grateful to have received this book & all opinions are my own.
Official rating: 3 ⭐
The book wasn't bad, but I also didn't like it. I did not connect with the characters. I think the idea is cool. It reminds me partially of enchanto (no singing) but in the sense of the family has magical abilities mixed with some aspects of gilmore girls. It was a cute idea. The story starts off SLOW!! It's written in 3rd person, which does it no justice. 3rd person to me usually means a disconnect as it doesn't allow us to get inner monologues & the characters emotions. Once we finally get into the plot we're about 1/3 in which is too long to get into the reason stated on the synopsis. Overall, it was fine, but it didn't standout to me.
Official rating: 3 ⭐
The book wasn't bad, but I also didn't like it. I did not connect with the characters. I think the idea is cool. It reminds me partially of enchanto (no singing) but in the sense of the family has magical abilities mixed with some aspects of gilmore girls. It was a cute idea. The story starts off SLOW!! It's written in 3rd person, which does it no justice. 3rd person to me usually means a disconnect as it doesn't allow us to get inner monologues & the characters emotions. Once we finally get into the plot we're about 1/3 in which is too long to get into the reason stated on the synopsis. Overall, it was fine, but it didn't standout to me.
December 27, 2024
I enjoyed this one! I loved the magical realism aspect and a story of women throughout generations where their names define the life they lead. This was a fun story and I enjoyed the perspectives. I loved the “small-town” feel of it.
October 7, 2025
The mentions of the Rio Grande Valley cities were a great surprise. Think it was the only thing that I was able to relate the most since I'm from there.
All in all, I have mixed feelings. It was entertaining but certain things irked me and I have questions that my brain can't put together.
All in all, I have mixed feelings. It was entertaining but certain things irked me and I have questions that my brain can't put together.
August 6, 2024
Deeply insightful and funny, heartbreaking and healing. More people should be reading and talking about this book!
October 3, 2025
"For generations, the women in the Olivares family attempted to change the course of destiny through the power of names. Despite being renowned experts on stubbornness, each of the Olivares women underestimated the extent to which destiny shared this trait. As a result of their oversight, the Olivares women failed to control their lives and, most importantly, their daughters’ lives, in every single attempt."
December 8, 2025
Generational, matriarchal family drama with magic! Such a sweet read.
October 13, 2025
2 🌟
This was almost a DNF but I am glad I made it to the end. Very heavy on the generational trauma and a lot of issues could have been solved if the family actually talked to each other.
This was almost a DNF but I am glad I made it to the end. Very heavy on the generational trauma and a lot of issues could have been solved if the family actually talked to each other.
November 13, 2025
4.5 🌟
October 10, 2024
beautifully written and developed characters. I so enjoy books that explore other cultures and beliefs as well as the complexity of family relationships. Giveaway copy.
May 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Loved the family dynamic that played out throughout this story. Grandmothers will always be mothers, mothers will always be daughters and daughters need to grow and sometimes that means when to cut and regrow connections.
The magical realism of this book was charming. For me it would seeing the clouds of colors, that l would choose.
Loved the family dynamic that played out throughout this story. Grandmothers will always be mothers, mothers will always be daughters and daughters need to grow and sometimes that means when to cut and regrow connections.
The magical realism of this book was charming. For me it would seeing the clouds of colors, that l would choose.
December 13, 2025
Family relations
A drama with a Mesoamerican accent and the conflict of three generations of a family where magical abilities are passed down through the female line. Olivares women have a hobby of calling their daughters by talking names. You might say that about all parents do this (except for those who have family names passed down from generation to generation, like the Marquez Buendias), I'll answer that the reason is more often: "I like the sound of it," "in someone's honor," "it goes well with the patronymic and/ or surname." And I do not know anyone. who would call a child "Calamidades Misfortune", "Olvido Oblivion" or "Angustias Anxiety", like two of the three local heroines? The third and youngest were more fortunate, she is "Felicitas Happiness". The problem is that it works exactly the opposite: Kalamidades is extremely lucky, Olvido remembers everything, Angustias flits through life like a carefree butterfly, and the sullen Felicitas is deeply unhappy. It is strange that over a century of field observations, the Olivares ladies have not deduced a pattern. which the reader arrives at in the first 30 seconds
Although with the name of her book and Anameli Salgado Reyes, she also overdid it. Not a single mother here curses her daughters' names, and certainly not Olvido, Grandma Felicitas and Mama Angustias. This last one is wandering around the States like shit in an ice hole (forgive my French), not worrying about anything and dragging her daughter with her, for whom a change of places is directly contraindicated. Living in one place, she would be able to adapt to school requirements and make friends, but having to change cities and not being endowed with maternal easy going, she turns out to be an outsider everywhere. Angustias sees auras and changes the color of his own at the moment, which makes the interlocutor see her as "his". What you get without difficulty is not beneficial: easily getting a low-paying job. like a secretary, she's not trying to make a career, settle down, get hooked - she's rolling like a tumbleweed, wherever the wind blows.
Although Felicitas is happy about the announcement of the next move, his classmates are very angry. She's happy until she finds out her destination is Grace, a small town. where did her grandmother Olvido live, who did not want to know her granddaughter and never spoke to her on the phone, although she called her mother every week. Felicitas is also so gloomy because it is part of her family gift to see dead people, and she suspects that after moving, she will have to get to know her grandmother better. In fact, it will happen sooner. An ageless (62) woman will come to where they are now and start composting their brains to transport their bodies to their ancestral homeland, Mexico - she does not want to rest in Texas. A great prospect for the poor, like church mice for mothers and daughters, don't you think? The situation is complicated by the fact that the Olivares women hide their paranormal abilities from everyone, the daughters of the mother are no exception: Angustias does not know that Felicitas sees the dead, she sees auras about her, both of them have no idea what Olvido's gift was.
And there was one, otherwise why would there be a bunch of food containers in the refrigerator, signed with the names of neighbors? Why did the grandmother cook pickles on an industrial scale, without charging a penny from those whom she hooked on her ingenious cooking? Why did the whole town adore her? Upon arrival, the Olivares girls are surrounded by universal concern, the townspeople flock to the funeral (no, not in Mexico, $10,000 is still too much for tiny Grace, but it was crowdfunded at the local cemetery). And then they begin to take great care of the newcomers, insisting on visiting the church and giving Angustas jobs and grooms. At the same time, the whole city knows that this is not done for the sake of self-interest, but only in fulfillment of Olvido's will.
If you were expecting some kind of riddle from this book, then - well, yes, the riddle of Olvido's magical ability will be revealed to us (it didn't hurt and I wanted to), otherwise "My mother cursed my name" is a combination of mysticism-magic imposed on the teeth with the sentimental and no less banal "every mother wants the best for her child." A collection of sitcom plotlines and genre cliches that have been sucked out of your finger for connoisseurs of mimimi, who will call these snot on marmalade a "bright, kind book"
Семейные отношения
Драма с мезоамериканским акцентом и конфликтом трех поколений семьи, где по женской линии передаются магические способности. У женщин из рода Оливарес хобби называть дочерей говорящими именами. Вы скажете, что это делают примерно все родители (кроме тех, у кого родовые имена передаются из поколения в поколения, вроде маркесовых Буэндиа), отвечу, что чаще причина: "нравится как звучит", "в чью-то честь", "хорошо сочетается с отчеством и/или фамилией". И я не знаю никого. кто назвал бы ребенка "Несчастьем - Каламидадес", "Забвением - Ольвидо" или "Беспокойством - Ангустиас", как двух из трех здешних героинь. Третьей и младшей повезло больше, она "Счастье-Фелиситас". Проблема в том, что работает это с точностью до наоборот: Каламидадес на редкость удачлива, Ольвидо помнит все, Ангустиас порхает по жизни беззаботной бабочкой, а угрюмая Фелиситас глубоко несчастна. Странно, что за столетие полевых наблюдений дамы Оливарес не вывели закономерность к. который читатель приходит за первые 30 секунд
Хотя с именем своей книги и Анамели Сальгадо Рейес, тоже перемудрила. Ни одна мать здесь не проклинает дочерних имен, и уж никак не делает этого Ольвидо, бабушка Фелиситас и мама Ангустиас. Эта последняя мотается по Штатам, как дерьмо в проруби (простите мой французский), ни о чем не беспокоясь и таская за собой дочь, которой перемена мест прямо противопоказана. Живя на одном месте, она сумела бы приспособиться к школьным требованиям и обзавестись приятелями, но вынужденно меняющая города и не наделенная материнским easy going, всюду оказывается аутсайдером. Ангустиас видит ауры и меняет цвет собственной в моменте, что заставляет собеседника видеть в ней "свою". Что достается без труда, не приносит пользы: легко устраиваясь на низкооплачиваемую работу. вроде секретарской, она не пытается сделать карьеру, осесть, зацепиться - катится как перекати-поле, куда ветер понесет.
Хотя объявлению об очередном переезде и Фелиситас радуется, уж очень злобные попались одноклассники. Радуется, пока не узнает, пункт назначения - Грейс, городишко. где жила ее бабка Ольвидо, которая знать не хотела внучку и ни разу не поговорила с ней по телефону, хотя маме звонила каждую неделю. Фелиситас еще и потому так мрачна, что ее часть семейного дара - видеть мертвых людей, и она подозревает, что, переехав, придется таки поближе познакомиться с бабушкой. На самом деле, это произойдет раньше. Нестарая еще (62) женщина явится туда, где они сейчас, и начнет компостировать мозги на предмет перевозки тела на родину предков, в Мексику - не желает она покоиться в Техасе. Отличная перспектива для бедных как церковные мыши матери и дочери, не находите? Положение осложняется тем, что женщины Оливарес скрывают свои паранормальные способности от всех, дочки-матери не исключение: Ангустиас не знает, что Фелиситас видит мертвецов, та про нее - что видит ауры, обе они не имеют понятия, каким был дар Ольвидо.
А он имелся, иначе зачем в холодильнике куча контейнеров с едой, подписанных именами соседей? Для чего бабка готовила разносолы в промышленных масштабах, ни копейки не беря с тех, кого подсадила на свою гениальную стряпню? Почему весь городок обожал ее? По приезде девочек Оливарес окружает всеобщая забота, горожане сбрасываются на похороны (нет, не в Мексике, $10 000 - это все-таки слишком для крохотного Грейс,но на пристойные на местном кладбище собрали по крауду). А потом начинают усиленно заботиться о приезжих, настаивая на посещении ими церкви и подбрасывая Ангустас работу и женихов. При этом весь город знает, что делается это не корысти ради, а токмо во исполнение воли Ольвидо.
Если вы ждали от этой книжки какой-то загадки, то - ну да, загадку магической способности Ольвидо нам раскроют (не больно и хотелось), в остальном "Моя мать прокляла мое имя" соединение навязшей в зубах мистики-магии с сентиментальным и не менее банальным "всякая мать хочет лучшего своему ребенку". Собрание высосанных из пальца ситкомовских фабульных ходов и жанровых штампов для ценителей "мимими", которые назовут эти сопли на мармеладе "светлой доброй книгой"
A drama with a Mesoamerican accent and the conflict of three generations of a family where magical abilities are passed down through the female line. Olivares women have a hobby of calling their daughters by talking names. You might say that about all parents do this (except for those who have family names passed down from generation to generation, like the Marquez Buendias), I'll answer that the reason is more often: "I like the sound of it," "in someone's honor," "it goes well with the patronymic and/ or surname." And I do not know anyone. who would call a child "Calamidades Misfortune", "Olvido Oblivion" or "Angustias Anxiety", like two of the three local heroines? The third and youngest were more fortunate, she is "Felicitas Happiness". The problem is that it works exactly the opposite: Kalamidades is extremely lucky, Olvido remembers everything, Angustias flits through life like a carefree butterfly, and the sullen Felicitas is deeply unhappy. It is strange that over a century of field observations, the Olivares ladies have not deduced a pattern. which the reader arrives at in the first 30 seconds
Although with the name of her book and Anameli Salgado Reyes, she also overdid it. Not a single mother here curses her daughters' names, and certainly not Olvido, Grandma Felicitas and Mama Angustias. This last one is wandering around the States like shit in an ice hole (forgive my French), not worrying about anything and dragging her daughter with her, for whom a change of places is directly contraindicated. Living in one place, she would be able to adapt to school requirements and make friends, but having to change cities and not being endowed with maternal easy going, she turns out to be an outsider everywhere. Angustias sees auras and changes the color of his own at the moment, which makes the interlocutor see her as "his". What you get without difficulty is not beneficial: easily getting a low-paying job. like a secretary, she's not trying to make a career, settle down, get hooked - she's rolling like a tumbleweed, wherever the wind blows.
Although Felicitas is happy about the announcement of the next move, his classmates are very angry. She's happy until she finds out her destination is Grace, a small town. where did her grandmother Olvido live, who did not want to know her granddaughter and never spoke to her on the phone, although she called her mother every week. Felicitas is also so gloomy because it is part of her family gift to see dead people, and she suspects that after moving, she will have to get to know her grandmother better. In fact, it will happen sooner. An ageless (62) woman will come to where they are now and start composting their brains to transport their bodies to their ancestral homeland, Mexico - she does not want to rest in Texas. A great prospect for the poor, like church mice for mothers and daughters, don't you think? The situation is complicated by the fact that the Olivares women hide their paranormal abilities from everyone, the daughters of the mother are no exception: Angustias does not know that Felicitas sees the dead, she sees auras about her, both of them have no idea what Olvido's gift was.
And there was one, otherwise why would there be a bunch of food containers in the refrigerator, signed with the names of neighbors? Why did the grandmother cook pickles on an industrial scale, without charging a penny from those whom she hooked on her ingenious cooking? Why did the whole town adore her? Upon arrival, the Olivares girls are surrounded by universal concern, the townspeople flock to the funeral (no, not in Mexico, $10,000 is still too much for tiny Grace, but it was crowdfunded at the local cemetery). And then they begin to take great care of the newcomers, insisting on visiting the church and giving Angustas jobs and grooms. At the same time, the whole city knows that this is not done for the sake of self-interest, but only in fulfillment of Olvido's will.
If you were expecting some kind of riddle from this book, then - well, yes, the riddle of Olvido's magical ability will be revealed to us (it didn't hurt and I wanted to), otherwise "My mother cursed my name" is a combination of mysticism-magic imposed on the teeth with the sentimental and no less banal "every mother wants the best for her child." A collection of sitcom plotlines and genre cliches that have been sucked out of your finger for connoisseurs of mimimi, who will call these snot on marmalade a "bright, kind book"
Семейные отношения
Драма с мезоамериканским акцентом и конфликтом трех поколений семьи, где по женской линии передаются магические способности. У женщин из рода Оливарес хобби называть дочерей говорящими именами. Вы скажете, что это делают примерно все родители (кроме тех, у кого родовые имена передаются из поколения в поколения, вроде маркесовых Буэндиа), отвечу, что чаще причина: "нравится как звучит", "в чью-то честь", "хорошо сочетается с отчеством и/или фамилией". И я не знаю никого. кто назвал бы ребенка "Несчастьем - Каламидадес", "Забвением - Ольвидо" или "Беспокойством - Ангустиас", как двух из трех здешних героинь. Третьей и младшей повезло больше, она "Счастье-Фелиситас". Проблема в том, что работает это с точностью до наоборот: Каламидадес на редкость удачлива, Ольвидо помнит все, Ангустиас порхает по жизни беззаботной бабочкой, а угрюмая Фелиситас глубоко несчастна. Странно, что за столетие полевых наблюдений дамы Оливарес не вывели закономерность к. который читатель приходит за первые 30 секунд
Хотя с именем своей книги и Анамели Сальгадо Рейес, тоже перемудрила. Ни одна мать здесь не проклинает дочерних имен, и уж никак не делает этого Ольвидо, бабушка Фелиситас и мама Ангустиас. Эта последняя мотается по Штатам, как дерьмо в проруби (простите мой французский), ни о чем не беспокоясь и таская за собой дочь, которой перемена мест прямо противопоказана. Живя на одном месте, она сумела бы приспособиться к школьным требованиям и обзавестись приятелями, но вынужденно меняющая города и не наделенная материнским easy going, всюду оказывается аутсайдером. Ангустиас видит ауры и меняет цвет собственной в моменте, что заставляет собеседника видеть в ней "свою". Что достается без труда, не приносит пользы: легко устраиваясь на низкооплачиваемую работу. вроде секретарской, она не пытается сделать карьеру, осесть, зацепиться - катится как перекати-поле, куда ветер понесет.
Хотя объявлению об очередном переезде и Фелиситас радуется, уж очень злобные попались одноклассники. Радуется, пока не узнает, пункт назначения - Грейс, городишко. где жила ее бабка Ольвидо, которая знать не хотела внучку и ни разу не поговорила с ней по телефону, хотя маме звонила каждую неделю. Фелиситас еще и потому так мрачна, что ее часть семейного дара - видеть мертвых людей, и она подозревает, что, переехав, придется таки поближе познакомиться с бабушкой. На самом деле, это произойдет раньше. Нестарая еще (62) женщина явится туда, где они сейчас, и начнет компостировать мозги на предмет перевозки тела на родину предков, в Мексику - не желает она покоиться в Техасе. Отличная перспектива для бедных как церковные мыши матери и дочери, не находите? Положение осложняется тем, что женщины Оливарес скрывают свои паранормальные способности от всех, дочки-матери не исключение: Ангустиас не знает, что Фелиситас видит мертвецов, та про нее - что видит ауры, обе они не имеют понятия, каким был дар Ольвидо.
А он имелся, иначе зачем в холодильнике куча контейнеров с едой, подписанных именами соседей? Для чего бабка готовила разносолы в промышленных масштабах, ни копейки не беря с тех, кого подсадила на свою гениальную стряпню? Почему весь городок обожал ее? По приезде девочек Оливарес окружает всеобщая забота, горожане сбрасываются на похороны (нет, не в Мексике, $10 000 - это все-таки слишком для крохотного Грейс,но на пристойные на местном кладбище собрали по крауду). А потом начинают усиленно заботиться о приезжих, настаивая на посещении ими церкви и подбрасывая Ангустас работу и женихов. При этом весь город знает, что делается это не корысти ради, а токмо во исполнение воли Ольвидо.
Если вы ждали от этой книжки какой-то загадки, то - ну да, загадку магической способности Ольвидо нам раскроют (не больно и хотелось), в остальном "Моя мать прокляла мое имя" соединение навязшей в зубах мистики-магии с сентиментальным и не менее банальным "всякая мать хочет лучшего своему ребенку". Собрание высосанных из пальца ситкомовских фабульных ходов и жанровых штампов для ценителей "мимими", которые назовут эти сопли на мармеладе "светлой доброй книгой"
April 14, 2025
this was an absolutely perfect read!! one of my favourite books i’ve read this year personally i have always loved reading about complex mother daughter relationships and i am newly so into magical realism this was just so incredibly enjoyable
September 7, 2024
My Mother Cursed My Name (Hardcover) by Anamely Salgado Reyes
"For generations, the women in the Olivares family attempted to change the course of destiny through the power of names. Despite being renowned experts on stubbornness, each of the Olivares women underestimated the extent to which destiny shared this trait. As a result of their oversight, the Olivares women failed to control their lives and, most importantly, their daughters' lives in every single attempt." p. 3
"Before Olvido, all of Felicitas's spiritual encounters had been coincidences. Spirits had not sought her out, required help, or asked her to inform their loved ones about their death, a fact Felicitas is thankful for. She presumes being a bearer of bad news is a difficult task, especially if one can't explain how they obtained such information." p. 16
The book opens on June 18, 1917, when Justas Olivares gives birth to her daughter Calamidades Oliveras in Matamoros, Mexico. Calamidades gives birth to Victoria Oliveras, who begets Olvido Oliveras, who begets Angustias Oliveras, and finally, Felicitas Oliveras is born. Unfortunately, the intention of naming their daughters to influence their destinies seems to have the opposite effect that the single mothers intended.
Now in the present, Angustias Oliveras suddenly uproots her daughter Felicitas, from Oakhill, Arkansas to Grace, Texas as she learns that her mother, 62 y/0 Olvido, has died.
On the road, the mother-daughter pair is joined by the ghost of Olvidos - who only Felicitas can see - and who has an important request: she wants to be buried in Mexico.
Felicitas Olivares is ten years old and disappointed when she meets her estranged grandmother for the first time. Olvido is nothing like a grandmother should be. She is strict, cold, and dead.
Olvido is convinced the only way her spirit will cross over is if her body is buried in Mexico, though she hasn’t been back since she crossed the border to the United States decades ago. When this plan fails to help Olvido move on, she decides that she must have more unfinished business and determines that it involves her daughter, Angustias. She must do whatever she can to make sure Angustias is in a better place regarding family, job, husband, and God - but maybe not in that order.
Heartbroken about her mother’s passing and desperate to put her tiny Texas home in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible, Angustias doesn’t understand why suddenly everyone in town seems to be conspiring to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town, offer her jobs, and invite her and Felicitas to church every Sunday.
Only her daughter, Felicitas, knows Olivido’s plan but she can’t bring herself to tell her mother the truth - or the fact that she sees ghosts.
But she’s not the only one who’s been keeping secrets. As Olvido and Angustias continue to follow the tradition of trying to steer the course of their daughters’ lives the way they see fit, all three Olivares girls must learn how to communicate and listen to one another, work to overcome generations’ worth of well-intentioned mistakes, and finally find home.
Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fast easy read. The book tries to be a combination of the House of Spirits and One Hundred Years of Solitude. Unfortunately, Ms. Salgado-Reyes's magical realism is not to the caliber of Isabel Allende or Gabriel García-Márquez. I was bored with the constant fighting and manipulations between the three generations of women. There is not much of a plot - and the characters are not as exciting.
Nevertheless, it's worth a try, especially if you're looking for a quick summer read.
"For generations, the women in the Olivares family attempted to change the course of destiny through the power of names. Despite being renowned experts on stubbornness, each of the Olivares women underestimated the extent to which destiny shared this trait. As a result of their oversight, the Olivares women failed to control their lives and, most importantly, their daughters' lives in every single attempt." p. 3
"Before Olvido, all of Felicitas's spiritual encounters had been coincidences. Spirits had not sought her out, required help, or asked her to inform their loved ones about their death, a fact Felicitas is thankful for. She presumes being a bearer of bad news is a difficult task, especially if one can't explain how they obtained such information." p. 16
The book opens on June 18, 1917, when Justas Olivares gives birth to her daughter Calamidades Oliveras in Matamoros, Mexico. Calamidades gives birth to Victoria Oliveras, who begets Olvido Oliveras, who begets Angustias Oliveras, and finally, Felicitas Oliveras is born. Unfortunately, the intention of naming their daughters to influence their destinies seems to have the opposite effect that the single mothers intended.
Now in the present, Angustias Oliveras suddenly uproots her daughter Felicitas, from Oakhill, Arkansas to Grace, Texas as she learns that her mother, 62 y/0 Olvido, has died.
On the road, the mother-daughter pair is joined by the ghost of Olvidos - who only Felicitas can see - and who has an important request: she wants to be buried in Mexico.
Felicitas Olivares is ten years old and disappointed when she meets her estranged grandmother for the first time. Olvido is nothing like a grandmother should be. She is strict, cold, and dead.
Olvido is convinced the only way her spirit will cross over is if her body is buried in Mexico, though she hasn’t been back since she crossed the border to the United States decades ago. When this plan fails to help Olvido move on, she decides that she must have more unfinished business and determines that it involves her daughter, Angustias. She must do whatever she can to make sure Angustias is in a better place regarding family, job, husband, and God - but maybe not in that order.
Heartbroken about her mother’s passing and desperate to put her tiny Texas home in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible, Angustias doesn’t understand why suddenly everyone in town seems to be conspiring to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town, offer her jobs, and invite her and Felicitas to church every Sunday.
Only her daughter, Felicitas, knows Olivido’s plan but she can’t bring herself to tell her mother the truth - or the fact that she sees ghosts.
But she’s not the only one who’s been keeping secrets. As Olvido and Angustias continue to follow the tradition of trying to steer the course of their daughters’ lives the way they see fit, all three Olivares girls must learn how to communicate and listen to one another, work to overcome generations’ worth of well-intentioned mistakes, and finally find home.
Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fast easy read. The book tries to be a combination of the House of Spirits and One Hundred Years of Solitude. Unfortunately, Ms. Salgado-Reyes's magical realism is not to the caliber of Isabel Allende or Gabriel García-Márquez. I was bored with the constant fighting and manipulations between the three generations of women. There is not much of a plot - and the characters are not as exciting.
Nevertheless, it's worth a try, especially if you're looking for a quick summer read.
June 10, 2025
My Mother Cursed My Name is a magical realism contemporary and multigenerational story that explores the themes of identity, family, and grief, but in a witty and light-hearted way, with a slightly heartwarming tone. In the Olivares family, the women have power, the power to name their daughters and with them to predetermine their lives, but the name works as an antonym and instead of attracting what they expected, it is just the opposite.
It’s multiple POV: Olvido, Angustias and Felicitas. Olvido is the grandmother and has just passed to another life, or not, because her spirit is still here and Felicitas, her granddaughter, is the only one who can see her, she will try to help her to pass to the other side. Angustias (Olvido's daughter) has a tense relationship with her, she was a teen mom, and shortly after the birth of Felicitas, she left home; her only communication with Olvido is weekly phone calls. The relationship between Angustias and Felicitas is lighter, almost like friends. The story is not similar, but the relationship between the 3 reminds me of Gilmore Girls, strict grandmother, an extroverted mother, and a serious granddaughter.
Angustias and Felicitas arrive in a town where Olvido lived his last years, the neighbors are a bit quirky and they met a different Olvido, they knew a friendlier old lady, not the strict woman of Angustias's childhood. Angustias wants to leave soon, but they cannot while the spirit of Olvido is still there, when the original plan does not work, Olvido comes up with the idea to “fix” the life of Angustias: give stability, a job, and a boyfriend and bring it closer to God. All the people will interfere and try to help, nosy but with good intentions.
The three are strong and very different. They each have their flaws, and their personalities can clash. Olvido is strict, Angustias is more carefree, and Felicitas wants roots. It's a story about personal growth and how complicated family life can be. It's about filial love and having the best intentions for your daughter, although the way you convey it isn't always the best, and instead of getting closer, they drift apart.
It's set in the USA, and it's a story that feels very Mexican, not only because Olvido wants to be buried there, Angustias and Felicitas weren't born in Mexico, but they are Mexican; there's something in their character that makes them feel very Mexican.
Despite the drama, it's an easy-to-read and fun story. It's a great debut. The characters, the Olivera girls, are very human and end up forgiving and healing.
Read it if you like:
Family Drama
Quirky Small Town
Magical Realism
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