the Garcia Girls

i really like this book.

i really like the way alvarez describes everything, her language and form is beautiful and captivating.  i forgot how much i enjoyed this book.   

when reading part three i can feel the tension laura is feeling while trying to distract the men away from searching for her husband and while she waits for victor.  

i can feel yoyo's fear and guilt when she thinks it is her fault that the men are there.  

and carlos' anxiety while he waits hidden away - so close, but so far.

i like how she describes the men as "boys in rags bringing down coconuts for el patron" (202); how laura disarms the with charm while actually treating them as the boys they are - serving the cheap beer they are accustomed to in servants glasses.

i like that alvarez uses a bluntness almost to get the reality of things across to her writers, it is almost like a corrupt poetry ... "dicks and dollars are what talk" (205) and although it seems graphic, it is very fitting.  in a country where there is corruption, you wouldn't expect to see a refined dialogue in these tense situations - it's not like politicians are sitting down and being polite in front of cameras, it is officials in their own space - stressed - dealing with situations they don't want, or need.

i like the jumping from one point of view to the next.  from tio vic, to carla and sandi.  victor announcing "operacion zapatos tenis" (208) in all seriousness and "cracks his knuckles and grins" to carla and sandi defending themselves - in all seriousness - about why they are eating at tia carmen's (because mami told them to SCRAM - 208)

i'm almost finished and looking forward to the end.

i really like this book.