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alexathenaeum's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Murder
2treads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A journalist's mission to write about the murder of a trans woman becomes a journey to facing her trauma and the violence that many women face whether passive or aggressive. Paloma is a curandera, a healer who uses nature and her ancestral connection to heal those who come to her. When she is murdered, Zoe, an investigative journalist travels to San Felipe to record her story.
Through Feliciana, Zoe not only learns of the power of the curanderos/as, Paloma's support, love, and ultimate choice but also shares her family history and the stories of her mother and sister.
What Lozano has done here is to show the parallels between women's lives and the shared experiences across time and place, whether it be facing discrimination and violence for being trans or queer, being assaulted in safe spaces, or choosing one's identity over one's purpose, women are equally vulnerable and powerful. And sharing our stories only helps in amplifying that power.
Through Feliciana, Zoe not only learns of the power of the curanderos/as, Paloma's support, love, and ultimate choice but also shares her family history and the stories of her mother and sister.
What Lozano has done here is to show the parallels between women's lives and the shared experiences across time and place, whether it be facing discrimination and violence for being trans or queer, being assaulted in safe spaces, or choosing one's identity over one's purpose, women are equally vulnerable and powerful. And sharing our stories only helps in amplifying that power.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Murder
angebrown's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Transphobia, and Murder
Minor: Deadnaming and Eating disorder
The translator Heather Cleary wrote, "Witches is an exploration of the manyways that women and gender non-conforming individuals are marginalised in our hetero-normative patriarchy. It is also a celebration of the bonds they forge and of alternate ways of knowing". This sometimes sad, yet hopeful book is rich with indigenous Mexican spirituality and beliefs, told by Feliciana as she recounts the story of her life. Feliciana talks mainly about how she became a healer, achieved international recognition and her love for her Muxe cousin Paloma. Her life events intertwine with those of the interviewer Zoe, who also tells her story. Feliciana's story is inspired by the real life story of Maria Sabina Magdalena Garcia. Although it is neither a biographical story, nor historical fiction, details of Maria Sabina's life, some of which are devastating, are reflected in Feliciana's story, which creates a deeply realistic character in Feliciana. The book does contain challenging themes, listed in content warnings.