Member Reviews
Before I begin this review, I want to thank Net Galley and Algonquin Books for allowing me to access The Cemetery of Untold Stories before publication. Check out this book on its release date of April 2nd, 2024.
Julia Alvarez does an excellent job of twining together the lives of many different people and the stories they hold in their hearts. The most intriguing thing about this book is how the stories come together. No one character here isn't interesting or doesn't have something worth telling.
This book is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. The way the story unfolded had me on the edge of my seat. With that said, there were times when I just didn't want to read it anymore, not because it became less interesting or anything like that but because there were pieces that didn't quite flow together or make much sense, but more on that later.
All the characters are unique, with their own backstories and personalities. Alma is a writer who loves getting into other people's business and hearing their stories, but she now wants to retire from the art of writing and settle down in the Dominican Republic, where she lived as a kid. Here, she creates a cemetery for her story. Then we meet Filomena, who has a devastating past and is quite meek but manages to become a groundskeeper for Alma. Then we meet her sister Perla and characters Manuel and Bienvenue, each with complex tales of their own to share.
While the book was interesting, the story is a bit all over the place plot-wise. The plot gets lost along the way because there are just so many characters and stories to keep up with. It was confusing to jump around between each character, especially since there did not seem to be a steady pattern or focus point that would allow the story to flow more naturally.
Alvarez did a fantastic job of immersing readers into the setting and culture by using Spanish phrases and words often and incorporating the history and backstories of the Dominican Republic and the characters who reside(d) there. On top of that, Alvarez writes intriguing tales of immigration, persecution, and traveling back and forth between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. The setting was terrific, and the author didn't leave anything out.
Alvarez has a very intriguing and thought-provoking writing style. She does a great job of using language to depict the differences between her characters in this book. Though I will have to say that the flow is off, this may be due more to the structure of the plot and the multitude of the characters more than anything else. The writing style may be a bit more flowery for some people's taste, as well. I personally enjoyed the way she tailors the story together and uses Spanish phrases and such to depict the culture further.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to dive deeply into complex characters and storytelling. No one character is boring, but neither are they perfect, which can be frustrating from time to time, but it is well worth the read if you are there for a good story. I would also recommend this book to anyone interested in Hispanic culture, especially the Dominican Republic, as I believe the author does a great job of depicting some of the complexity of the culture.
My review will be posted to my blog and Instagram on Nov. 3rd.
When Alma (Spanish word for "soul") and her sisters inherit land in the Dominican Republic she chooses the largest but most rural and abandoned area to create a cemetery. Alma has a room filled with untold and unfinished stories and she plans to bring the stories there. Her thought is this will free her from these untold characters and plots and save her from potentially losing her mind like a friend who finally created her magnum opus.
But the characters of the stories have different plans! Bienvenida, a forgotten second wife begins to tell her story to the local groundskeeper. Alvarez seamlessly weaves in these "untold and unfinished tales"
and before long you forget who is the protagonist of this bewitching tale
I am not the biggest fan of magical realism but this story was just right and I loved the idea of both Alma Cruz and Alvarez struggling to say goodbye to snippets and ideas of stories they had in mind!
#algonquin #Thecemeteryofuntoldstories #juliaalvarez
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
After many years in the US, Alma, a retired author, returns to her homeland, the Dominican Republic, to lay her unfinished stories to rest. The stories haunted Alma for many years after she abandoned them, and she didn't want them to drive her crazy like one of her writer friends. Even after the cemetery is built and the stories are buried, the abandoned characters still want to tell their stories to the right listener.
I really loved the concept of this story. There was the perfect touch of magical realism, and the writing was beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with the story as much as I hoped. I would definitely try another by this author, though.
It was a very interesting book. The main character's pain could be felt and the many other characters. I enjoy reading and this book had me thinking about old age and how our minds can be overwhelmed and how many families have secrets or untold stories.
Characters « 6.5/10 »
All of the characters were well-fleshed out and felt real. Their motivations and actions and words all felt very realistic. Their relationships felt authentic. They were all great.
Atmosphere « 5.0/10 »
Despite the name, the cemetery wasn’t exactly the main setting of the story. But it, the sculptures, the neighborhood all were well-described when they were mentioned. However, most of the story takes place within the other stories and those didn’t feel as well-defined. I could really feel the emotions from the characters though so a definite plus.
Writing « 6.0/10 »
I enjoyed the alternating timelines, stories, and characters, but sometimes things felt a little confusing. Since this was an ARC, I’m not sure if it’ll be changed in the final product, but the lack of quotation marks for dialogue threw me off and pulled me out of the story.
Plot « 7.5/10 »
The concept is so very interesting and I enjoyed the multiple timelines and stories happening and how they end up all merging together. The ending felt a little rushed and I would have liked to see more of a conclusion for Alma but I enjoyed it all overall.
Intrigue « 7.5/10 »
The beginning felt a little bit of a drag, but once the cemetery is built and Filomena comes in, it really picks up and it kept me turning the pages.
Logic « 8.0/10 »
Like I mentioned before, I really appreciate the fact that all the characters, their actions and speech, and their relationships all felt very real. And despite the “magical realism” aspect of the cemetery, it also felt like something that could happen.
Enjoyment « 8.5/10 »
Overall, this was so intriguing. The interwoven stories didn’t feel too convenient, and I absolutely loved getting a glimpse into Dominican culture and picking up some Spanish words and phrases along the way!
Julia Alvarez succeeds once again in her ability to write a creative and touching narrative in The Cemetery of Untold Stories. In this story Alma Cruz is an author who recently retired from her teaching position at a college in the United States. When she inherits a small plot of land in her native Dominican Republic, she brings with her boxes and boxes of her unfinished stories and she decides to create a cemetery to bury her unfinished manuscripts. The manuscripts may be buried, but her characters come to life as they talk to each other. This allows the reader to actually learn about the amazing lives of the characters from Alma Cruz’s manuscripts. What a novel way to write a book using characters from unfinished books! Alma Cruz may not have published or completed the lives of her characters, but their stories are not lost. I highly recommend this book to readers who have not yet been introduced to Julia Alvarez and to readers who have enjoyed her earlier books. Thank you to NetGallery for providing me with an advanced digital version of this book.
Readers will be glad that this story was told. The intricate and time-shifting tale, the intriguing characters, and the important reflections on art and the writing process make The Cemetary of Untold Stories a worthwhile and enjoyable read.
This was such an interesting read for me. I’ve never read Alvarez’s work before and I’m so excited to do so. Writing was flowing and the characters relatable. Will definitely purchase for the collection!
I loved the concept of the cemetery and the questions that brought up about when and how to tell one's stories. Alvarez is a beautiful writer and so seamlessly introduced elements of magical realism. I did initially have some trouble with the pacing and organization of the book, particularly in the first section. It felt like too many characters and plot points were being introduced with no space to reflect on them, but the story really picked up for me once the cemetery was established. I especially loved the stories of Bienvenida and Filomena, and would have loved even more focus on them. Though I liked the character of Alma, to me, Filomena and her connection to the cemetery were the heart of the book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks so netgalley much for the ARC!
As a rabid bookworm, I love books about books and stories about stories. Throw in some magical realism and I'm yours. This is a lovely ode to the magic of stories and storytelling. I typically struggle with collections featuring an array of narrators or POVs as some are invariably stronger than others, but the stories brought to life here are interwoven in such a lovely way. This collection has beautiful prose, compelling voices, and comes together in a hypnotic, magical way.
Beautifully written literary fiction married with magical realism. Julia Alvarez tells a story of author Alma “Sheherazade” Cruz, who retires from teaching, and in turn plans to retire her unfinished stories to the grave. Literally- she moves to the Dominican Republic to build a cemetery for her untold tales. She and Filomena, a groundskeeper can hear these stories as if told by the protagonists. This is a magical story of stories and the art of storytelling.
4.5 stars rounded up. Thanks very much to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
"The Cemetery of Untold Stories," a collection of short stories by Julia Alvarez, offers a captivating exploration of diverse narratives and hidden emotions. Alvarez's prose skillfully weaves together tales that often go unnoticed, creating a rich tapestry of untold experiences. With her signature depth and sensitivity, she uncovers the human complexities that often remain hidden in the shadows. Each story serves as a poignant reminder of the vast spectrum of lives and stories that shape our world, making this collection a truly evocative and thought-provoking read.
"the cemetery of untold stories" showcases Alvarez's beautiful language. when alma, an author who saw her close friend be driven mad by finishing the writing of a novel, inherits land in the Dominican republic, she decides to build a cemetery. a literal cemetery. there, she buries her unfinished works, manuscripts, and drafts. but the cemetery has a life of its own and her characters have more stories to tell.
this novel is short, sweet, and gorgeous. alvarez has written a tale directly about the writing process and how "killing your darlings" is not as necessary as we may think. this novel made me think of all my unfinished drafts, and I'm moved deeply to continue writing.
Once again, Julia Alvarez delivers another compassionate novel filled with unpredictable and engaging stories that evolve around Dominican Republic. I was relieved the stories were not told by ghosts and involved a human struggling to write a novel about her family history. Alvarez is meticulous about writing stories that will pull in her readers and keep them sighing and smiling throughout her gorgeous novel. So many of her novels involve a brutal dictator, and this one, we see how the brutal dictator engages with one of our main characters, a young women who felt allured by his attention, a young woman who ends up feeling shamed by her marriage to this man, yet moves on in life and becomes a leading character in the stories told at the cemetery. No spoilers. You will have to read the novel.
The Cemetery of Untold Stories follows a writer, Alma, who watches a friend struggle with her sanity while trying to finish a writing a novel. When Alma inherits a plot of land in her native Dominican Republic, she is inspired to create a literal cemetery for the stories she herself has never finished, hoping to put them to rest. The local woman she hires as a groundskeeper, Filomena, becomes a sympathetic listener as the characters recount their stories to her.
Alvarez combines literary fiction with touches of magical realism to create captivating interwoven storylines. I loved the recognition of stories that continue to exist on their own, whether they are told or not.
Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin books for this ARC!
I'm in the minority, but I couldn't get into this book or get attached to the characters. I felt it was too stream of consciousness for me.
The main character, Alma, goes back to the Dominican Republican to build a cemetery for her unfinished literary works. She hires a woman named Filomena to be the caretaker of the cemetery. One of her first duties is to listen to the stories buried underneath the soil and when she does, the stories reveal so much more.
Julia Alvarez combines magical realism and literary fiction to deliver a tale that is a treat to read. Each character has a story to tell and I enjoyed discovering each one. The author's distinctive voice is what makes this book unique and captivating.
So i'm going to be honest with you. I went into this book with 0 expectations and it was so good. Thank you so much.
I’ve been a fan of Julia Alvarez since I was in high school! I was thrilled to receive this ARC and be able to review it.
Description; “Alma Cruz, the celebrated writer at the heart of The Cemetery of Untold Stories, doesn’t want to end up like her friend, a novelist who fought so long and hard to finish a book that it threatened her sanity. So when Alma inherits a small plot of land in the Dominican Republic, her homeland, she has the beautiful idea of turning it into a place to bury her untold stories—literally. She creates a graveyard for the manuscript drafts and revisions, and the characters whose lives she tried and failed to bring to life and who still haunt her.“
Alvarez does not disappoint with her latest novel! I loved the characters that Alma created and the idea of a cemetery for a novelists ideas. The voices feel real and the setting is lush as always. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am excited to recommend it to fans of literary fiction and local book clubs!
This book centers voices that are often marginalized, given them life and heft. The characters are idiosyncratic and fascinating. My favorite is the storyteller who cannot read or write but masters her craft by listening. Readers who find joy in beautifully crafted words and who enjoy the journey of reading will live this book.