I liked the premise of this book, with the stories of the 6 females of one family, with most of them having something different about them, like Flor, whose gift is that she can foresee a persons death. When she plans her own living wake, the family all handle it differently and we see how they have lived their lives in a series of flashbacks and , from all points of view.

The author is obviously a great storyteller but I found it difficult to get into this book. My Spanish is so basic that I found the change of language confusing at times and irritating at others. Some of the characters became confused to me, and I couldn’t work out who was narrating a certain paragraphs in the book. That said, it gives a real sense of family bonds, the love the women had, for each other, their partners and their lives. Not the book for me, but worth taking a chance on.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"I have known death since before I was born, but I had not truly known life until I gave it to you.”

🇩🇲📚

“Family Lore” is my second read for #ReadCaribbeanMonth. 

With Acevedo delving into adult fiction forthe first time, all eyes will definitely be on her adult fictional debut this summer.

Family Lore ~ Lore is a body of knowledge or tradition thatis passed down among members of a culture, usually orally.

The Marte family are a family like no other.  They are a family, depending on your perception,that are blessed with many gifts. Flor – The seer of death; Pastora   - The reader of truths; Camila – A herbalist; and Ona, the owner of a rather spectacular vagina

Having the foresight of death has always set Flor apart from her family and community.  So, when Flor’s gift leads her to the visionof her very own departure, Flor begins to plan her own “living wake”, much tothe dismay of her family. 

Narrated by Flor’s daughter, Ona, the reader is taken on a historical and present day journey of each of the Marte family members, whilst they navigate the possibility of Flor's impending death.

I really enjoyed the exploration of family within "Family Lore". No-one within any one family is ever mothered in the same way as the other. Despite their differing experiences within the confines of their family, their ages, and their departures from the motherland of Dominica, the bonds between the sisters remained unbreakable. When writing stories with multiple pov's, I find that authors tend to fall prey to repetition within their characters, Acevedo however, crafted these characters to a MF'n T! They were so distinct, each with their own voices & stories, I couldn't help but become invested in these women🙌🏾

I did find the narration rather confusing in the beginning due to the number of characters, along with the narrator being a character within the story, which in turn also made the story feel very lengthy. As a result I eventually opted to complete the story via Audio.

An entertaining and worthwhile read for lovers of Acevedo.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A huge thanks to both @netgalley & @canongatebooks for my ARC of "Family Lore".

Family Lore is an adult debut novel by Elizabeth Acevado. I've read her verse novels and loved them. This book was amazing too. She is an amazing storyteller. Her writing is beautiful. This book focuses on family and family dynamics. We read and learn about Marte's family through generations. The characters were really fleshed out. There were multiple POVs. So it is not focusing on one character. I know this might be hard to focus on the story sometimes but I really enjoyed reading each and every character. If you like generational stories with strong female characters this book is for you. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to an ARC from NetGalley. So this was the first Elizabeth Acevedo book I read, she’s been on my to read list but never got to her. So I can only judge this on its own, and for me this was a a great novel. I loved the sisters each distinct and well developed, the two neices and the rich Dominican history interwoven in. Reminiscent of the historical magical realism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez mixed with a contemporary attitude from Yadi and Ona’s stories.

Family Lore has a lovely concept - a multigenerational family story with a hint of magical realism - but although there are flashes of brilliance in the prose, it wasn't quite enough to sustain my interest. Though the characters are distinctive, their voices seem all too similar, and I didn't feel particularly drawn to any of them. There is a sense of inevitability to it all which, while deliberate, made the finale a bit underwhelming.

Flor is having a living wake. The why and when of her death is anyones guess but Flor is known to dream of death, so is there really any point in wondering?

Family Lore follows the Marte Family (sisters and their daughters) from their childhoods in the Dominican Republic (and NYC) to their adult lives in America. With magic in (some) of their blood they try and navigate life and death as best they know how.

This book at its core is a book about mystery and family. Family Lore is wonderfully paced and written with multi-characters POVs (six of them) which i adored ❤️ being in the head of all the characters really added a deeper understanding of the family as a whole and helped to untangle lots of feelings.

This is somehow my third book this year about death (make of that what you will) and I have loved everyone of them

Sisters from the Dominican Republic, now living in America, relate the pressures and expectations of their extended family; their dreams, desires and duty. Flor prophesies death, Pastora sees truth, others have power over their sex or can create tinctures to aid health. Told in a multi-narrative between the women, the story unfolds after Flor decides to host a living wake. They discuss each others decisions and relationships while each helps Flor to prepare for the party.

A Dominican-American family - multiple (6) points of view. Flor has a gift and can tell when someone will die. She plans her own “living wake”. Pastora has a gift as well, she can tell if someone is lying.

Acevedo writes beautifully.. for example
“If her mother was all sharp teeth, in regard to decorum, she paled to kitten-like in comparison to the woman who’d begot her.”

Unfortunately these flashes of superb writing weren’t enough to elevate the book beyond three stars for me

Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC.

This book was exciting in all the ways it. Every page turned beautifully led to another. It came with it’s highs and lows but overall triumphed in a way I loved.

I've really enjoyed Elizabeth Acevado's other works and was eager to try this one out. It has a strong magical realism element that reminded me more of With the Fire in High than Clap When you Land and The Poet X, and I do think after reading this that I prefer her writing style in the latter two books, that blend of prose and lyrical descriptions that just has me flying hooked through the book.

But I also love reading about family dynamics and getting drawn into a different culture and this book certainly delivered that in spades. I also didn't mind the alternating narrators and appreciated the family tree provided at the start of the book that helped me settle into the story. This book was alternately funny and heartfelt and I enjoyed seeing the story of the sisters unfurl. Would advise people that if you don't like alternating POVs or flashback sequences then you might not get on too well with this book, but I found it an interesting lens to explore this generational story. I will continue to read what Acevado writes in the future.

"Family Lore" by Elizabeth Acevedo is a captivating and beautifully crafted novel that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Acevedo, known for her lyrical writing, takes us on an intimate journey into the lives of the Marte women, seamlessly blending past and present, New York City and Santo Domingo.

This book is a mosaic of interconnected stories, focusing on the four sisters and their two daughters, offering a deep exploration of family dynamics and the enduring power of sisterhood. Without a conventional plot, the strength of "Family Lore" lies in its well-developed characters. Each woman is vividly portrayed, with their own unique quirks and struggles. Acevedo's storytelling prowess shines as she delves into their lives, revealing their vulnerabilities and showcasing their resilience.

The infusion of magical realism adds an enchanting layer to the narrative. The women's various gifts and abilities, intertwined with Dominican Republic culture and expressions, create a rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs.

"Family Lore" is an emotionally resonant read, alternating between moments of humor, reflection, and profound insight. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" will find a kindred spirit in Acevedo's storytelling style (though hers is much more intimate story, not spanning years like in Garcia Marquez). I wholeheartedly recommend this novel for its depth, authenticity, and the unforgettable journey it takes readers on through the lives of the Marte women.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done a fantastic job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. The language is clear, concise, and evocative, with descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Dialogue is natural and authentic, and the pacing is well-balanced, with enough tension and release to keep the reader engaged. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

When I was a teenager, I read my first Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel and I fell in love with his stories of Latin American culture, magical realism, the influence of family and love on our lives, and humanity at its purest, be that its most beautiful or ugliest, form. I have spent the rest of my life in search of other authors who capture that same spirit and Elizabeth Acevado has done exactly that in Family Lore.

The hook is fantastic. A woman who can foresee death plans her own wake - and oh how the family unravels. Everyone's response to the event is unique, not least of all because of what is unfolding in their own lives at the same time. With each family member's story, and the magical quirks they possess, I fell deeper in love with the Marte women. Their struggles and the secret and shared memories they revisit brought this family of women to life on the page, each of them strong and memorable in her own way,

Family Lore is a book I'll be recommending to absolutely everyone because five stars are simply not enough!

Good concept and plot. I enjoyed reading this, but do wish I knew Spanish!

Thank you to the writer, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

Family Lore is a multi-generational account of several women’s past and present. Personally, I found the writing style difficult to follow. There were so many women that it was hard to keep track of their relationship to one another and it’s not until page 63 that you actually start to learn who the narrator is and her relationship to the rest of the women. I’ve been learning Spanish for several years but still found it difficult to follow all of the colloquial Spanish used throughout the book. I also found the transitions from present to past and to personal stories by the narrator lacking fluidity. It also jumps between being in NYC and the Dominican Republic without any way of knowing until you’re well into the recounting of the story.

I was intrigued by the premise of the story, but unfortunately there was so much flitting about that by the time you actually get to the wake and the story’s resolution it seems rushed and a minor detail. The magical abilities of the other women seemed more prevalent in the story than Flor’s.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book. All my thoughts and opinions are my own and I leave a review voluntarily.

4 stars

I really loved this book!

Family Lore centres around the Marte women and their lives in the past, present and future. It explores culture, family bonds and sexuality, with elements of magical realism. And these are all the things I love.

Often, when going back and forth between past and present day, books can get confusing but I found it easy to follow the timelines in this book. Acevado also writes in such a way that you're able to really engross yourself in the story.

Sisterly bonds were showcased wonderfully here and I liked that every woman had differing personalities.

The book gets published in August 2023, and I would recommend it!

I liked this concept of this book and the title, author and blurb made it seem like it would be up my street but after reading it I found that it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

The scents and lies we tell ourselves and others are explored in depth in this book but I found it a little confusing as the narrators jump constantly and the interjections just don’t add to the story for me.

was a bit unsure about this at the start and it took me
a few chapters to settle into reading it and then I was
hooked on finishing it, I love when I come across a new
author and usually end up checking out what their other
books are like, this had a few moments when I smiled
as each of the women could be any family member and
it brought back a few memories of growing up, the
countries might be different but grandmothers and
aunts are the same the world over. An enjoyable family
drama style read.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy but unfortunately I did not really engage with this story. We were introduced to so many characters in the beginning that it became confusing and although there was a list of characters and their relationships provided at the beginning of the book, unfortunately with a kindle, it is not really easy to pop back and forth easily between pages. Additionally, as other reviewers have mentioned, the untranslated Spanish phrases are a bit frustrating. I decided not to finish this book as clearly not for me, but I can see many other readers really enjoyed the writing style.

I was really looking forward to this, having loved the author's YA books.

The characters were well-drawn and complicated. There were a lot of them, and a lot of backstory, so I found it difficult to keep them all straight at times. But the story was engaging and interesting and kept me reading. I felt it was a little slow to start, but once it got going about halfway through, it was really unputdownable.

The language, as you'd expect from Elizabeth Acevedo, was amazing. I did find the frequent user of untranslated Spanish a bit frustrating. I have a very limited knowledge of Spanish and found myself often resortingp to Google translate.

Overall, I liked this book a lot, but I wanted to love it. But I would still recommend it to anyone who has previously enjoyed Elizabeth Acevedo's work and who likes female-dominated family stories.