Today I have a review of The Affairs of the Falcons by Melissa Rivero and available from Ecco Books on April 2, 2019!
My Thoughts:
Ana and Lucho Falcon, along with their two children, have fled the unrest of 1990s Peru for New York City; however, they are undocumented. This means they have far fewer opportunities to create a better life.
Ana works long hours for little pay at a factory and owes a loan shark money. In addition, she and her family are living with Lucho’s cousin, and the welcome mat is being worn thin. The spare room will no longer be available to them. At the same time, the loan shark is getting more upset about the lack of payments.
Desperation builds for Ana. She wants to stay in United States while Lucho dreams of going home. Her family is in more financial and physical danger here than she ever anticipated. How far is she willing to go to continue her efforts at a new life for her family?
The Affairs of the Falcons is a timely look at immigration, including those who live here with fear, stress, and abject desperation. This book is so insightful, so honest and raw, I felt the stress along with the family. One domino after another starts to line up and then topple for this family. Can they ever get the momentum of that to not only stop, but to turn around and have a chance at a successful and base level need, safe, life?
While I felt some of the feelings of the family because they are so well-drawn by the author, I could never truly know that fear, that hunger. My heart broke over and over for the Falcons. In an attempt to leave terrorism in their own country, they came to a new country where one intense fear was replaced by another.
Overall, The Affairs of the Falcons is a memorable and powerful story that left an indelible mark on me.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Ana Falcón, along with her husband Lucho and their two young children, has fled the economic and political strife of Peru for a chance at a new life in New York City in the 1990s. Being undocumented, however, has significantly curtailed the family’s opportunities: Ana is indebted to a loan shark who calls herself Mama, and is stretched thin by unceasing shifts at her factory job. To make matters worse, Ana must also battle both criticism from Lucho’s cousin—who has made it obvious the family is not welcome to stay in her spare room for much longer—and escalating and unwanted attention from Mama’s husband.
As the pressure builds, Ana becomes increasingly desperate. While Lucho dreams of returning to Peru, Ana is deeply haunted by the demons she left behind and determined to persevere in this new country. But how many sacrifices is she willing to make before admitting defeat and returning to Peru? And what lines is she willing to cross in order to protect her family?
The Affairs of the Falcóns is a beautiful, deeply urgent novel about the lengths one woman is willing to go to build a new life, and a vivid rendering of the American immigrant experience.
Have you read The Affairs of the Falcons, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Thanks for this review! It is definitely on my TBR list. I particularly like that the main characters are from Peru. We do not have enough stories about Peruvians living in other countries.
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Thanks, Diana! I agree- I love reading about cultures from other parts of the world, and I’m not sure if I can recall a book with Peruvian characters.
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Great review!! the cover is beautiful
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Thanks, Priyasha! I love that cover too!
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Jennifer, I really got that desperation while reading your compelling review!! Well done and thanks for featuring a book that is so timely.
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Thanks, Jonetta! It’s such an engaging and powerful story. I keep thinking about it.
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Awesome review and picture, Jennifer! I have not read this one and I cannot wait to read this cultural read. Happy Reading! 🌺🌺💗📚🌸🌻😍
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Thanks, Virginia! I think you’ll enjoy this! It’s such an emotional read. ♥️
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Lovely review my friend. Have an awesome weekend Jen!💜
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Thanks so much, Sus! I hope you have a lovely week ahead! 💗
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I love the sound of this, and I love reading about challenges immigrant families face and the emotional toll it must take on them. Lovely review!
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Thanks, Tammy! Me, too. I never tire of it. I feel obligated to listen at the very least. ♥️
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It sounds like a powerful story and one that is relevant. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! Definitely powerful and relevant today. ♥️
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Such a brilliant photo and a wonderful review! 🙂
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Thanks, Chrissi! ♥️
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Now this sounds fascinating! Thanks for your wonderful review!💕
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Thank you, Berit! It was such an engaging story! ♥️
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Definitely a timely book, Jen. Beautiful review and pic. ❤
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Thank you, favorite M! I had fun with that cover! 🌸 ♥️
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This sounds like a heart wrenching read and all too timely. I hadn’t heard of this book but it definitely sounds like one I would love to read.
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Thanks, Suzanne. So timely, emotional, and well-done. I hope you get a chance to read it.
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Awesome review!! 🙂 ❤
Have a great weekend, lovely!!! Happy reading!
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Thanks so much, Dee! I hope you have a lovely weekend too! 💗
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I hadn’t heard of this one before but I love the sound of it, I’m a huge fan of powerful, impactful novels. Great review!
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Thanks, Janel! A Goodreads friend pointed me to it, and I’m so grateful for that because I never would have wanted to miss it!
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This is on my radar. I feel a sort of anxiety is it knowing that so many people live in a state of angst because of being undocumented but wanting to try to make a better life for their families. Another one for my library list
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I agree, Shell. I definitely feel that empathy too. ♥️ I hope you get a chance to read this one and find it resonant too.
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This really sounds like a good read and so timely for everything going on right now. I feel like my heart will really break for these characters! 💜 also, adding this one to my list!
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It’s another terrific one to add, LP! You’ll enjoy this important and powerful story. ♥️
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