Jeena’s Reviews > Frida > Status Update

Frida had a couple miscarriages and is now following Diego around the U.S while writing letters to Cristina. "Sometimes I think it is better that he spends the nights in the arms of those blond dimwits. I paint to forget, but my misery is so intense." Why does Frida stay with Diego if he cheats on her all the time? I don't understand why Frida stays in a toxic relationship like that. Diego is a jerk.

Frida and Diego are getting married. Their after party was a disaster because Diego’s ex made fun of Frida for her wooden legs. Question: Does Diego have eyes for fridas sister? He keeps trying to flirt with her. Quote: “He made you feel like you mattered, that he really admired you, that you weren’t just some thing, some object with the necessary equipment to satisfy his needs.”

Frida keeps having problems and she’s writing letters to Alex about her pains, the doctor diagnosis, and treatments. “she went through so much, and yet she kept going, keep struggling. I suffered to see her suffering. She was so frail, but she had a will of iron and a spirit like a geyser.” This quote stood out because I could feel her pain. Question: Why does bad things keep happening to Frida? It’s so sad

Frida is determined to meet Diego Rivera. She made a plan to find him and sit and watch him paint.
“The theme of the mural was creation, with specific reference to the Mexican race. The work was filled with dramatic allegorical figures, man, woman, knowledge, erotic poetry, tradition, tragedy, music, and charity.”
That quote explains the types of murals that Mexicans paint.
Does Diego notice Frida too?

The revolution was over and the people of Mexico are filled with pride. Frida tells her sister stories from la prépa which is high school in Mexico. Frida would tell her sister stories about her first boyfriend Alejandro.
Question: How was Cristina okay with giving away her communion necklace for the end of Fridas story?
Quote: “The revolution taught us to be proud of who we were, proud of our heritage”

Frida is sick with the flu. They called the doctor after she woke up with excruciating pain in her leg. The doctor diagnosed her with polio. Question: How did she catch polio?
Quote: “The shriek of a child in pain...A silver of ice in the gullet that’s cuts off your breathing and paralyzes you, leaving you helpless to call out in the darkness.”

In chapter 2, Cristina is explaining how the actions of the children in elementary school made Frida want to be pure Mexican. The politics are getting bad in the country, the leaders have people who punish those who don’t follow them. It makes me sad that little kids are disappearing and getting caught in the crossfire and being punished just because of who their parents support.

The book is written in the perspective of Frida Kahlo's younger sister Cristina. In the first chapter, Cristina tells stories about their childhood and elementary school days. Frida was often bullied by her classmates for her background. They would taunt her about her father's jewish descent. Question: Why are the kids so mean to Frida for her father's religious background?