This novel won Canada Reads. I haven't read most of the others, but this book disappointed. As it's a memoir, there are a lot of character names that cloud over the story. It's hard to remember who is who. If you can get past the names, then you probably will like this.

Nostalgic and addictive. Takes you to a place that is so real you can taste and feel it. Also politically informative. Great read!

Excellent, highly recommended!

Nothing brings home the horrors of living under an oppressive regime like a personal story. Thank you Carmen Aguirre for making me understand some of the conflict in South America a little bit better and how these conflicts elicit so much courage. However, speaking as a mother, how did that woman take her two daughters into that milieu when she knew how dangerous it was?

Although her writing can be lacking, this story is amazing and well-worth reading!

This book opened my eyes to an era of S America's history that I lived through by hearing about it in the media but didn't really comprehend - I was too busy with my own life and studies. I found the writing rather stark, and devoid of emotion for most of the book - which meant I didn't get drawn into it. Probably for their safety, people's characters and backgrounds do not get filled out much. But I came away with great admiration for Ms Aguirre, and a keen interest to find out more about the oppressive years Chile suffered through under Pinochet. The description of La Paz (capital of Bolivia) made me want to go and visit it. I would recommend this book.

Thankyou to the author for telling this story. This young woman's intensity & determination to fight literally to the death in guaranteed-to-be horrible ways, is compelling beyond words. Her courage in building this book is astonishing. A must read for Canadians.