THE PLOT: ‘Family Lore’ by Elizabeth Acevedo is a literary novel about four sisters who move from the Dominican Republic to New York. Each of the Marte sisters has a gift. Pastora can see people’s truths. Camilla has an affinity for herbs. Matilde is a fantastic dancer. And Flor… Well, Flor can predict when people die. So, when Flor decides to throw her own living wake, her sisters are concerned. Planning the celebration raises tensions and reveals secrets about all of the women in the family. The sisters and cousins, mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces all speculate on what it means to live a good life.

SUMMARY: I thought this would be a five-star novel but I struggled to read it. The prose is beautiful and the characters are magical in every sense of the world. However, there wasn’t enough active plot to keep me engaged. The most interesting sections were the characters’ backstories in the Dominican Republic. But the actual on-the-page story had little stakes as I knew the characters – as wonderful as they are – would be fine in the end. This may seem like an odd reflection because the novel hinges on the death of the main character. But although there were emotional stakes and grief, there wasn’t enough external, escalating plot for my liking. In many ways this is a great book and perhaps I just didn’t read it at the right time, as I wasn’t in the mood for a slow, introspective book. Therefore, I’m giving it three and a half stars.

GOOD BITS: The line-writing is the standout element of this novel. There are so many clever turns of phrase and the author sure knows how to write an unusually apt extended simile or metaphor. I loved how the author captured the intricate dynamics and difficulties of mother-daughter-sister relationships. Alongside the beautiful writing, this novel feels like an intimate character study. Each sister is distinct and endearing. The reader can feel the love on the page and I will remember the characters for years to come.

NOT SO GOOD BITS: In each chapter, the author uses creative formatting to transition into large chunks of backstory. While I really enjoyed these sections about each sister’s past, there was nothing in the present-day storyline to make me keep reading. Ostensibly, the reader is counting down until the wake and wondering if Flor is going to die. However, it’s implied that Flor will die from the beginning so there’s no mystery . Also, the death feels low stakes. She’s lived a good life and there aren’t any consequences to her death. It sounds strange because her death is, obviously, a big deal to the other characters. However, I felt it needed an external consequence – e.g. if Flor dies, her daughter will no longer be able to do X, or her sister will be forced to choose Y. I think an external consequence or choice regarding Flor’s death would give the whole book active plot stakes and more momentum (rather than just passive emotional stakes).

OVERALL: I’d recommend this book to fans of ‘Dele Weds Destiny’ by Tomi Obaro, ‘In the Time of the Butterflies’ by Julia Alvarez, and ‘Dominicana’ by Angie Cruz. If you’re looking for a beautifully written family portrait, or a book that shows there’s more than meets the eye to older protagonists, then check this book out.

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