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Adina ( back from Vacay…slowly recovering) 's Reviews > Elena Knows
Elena Knows
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Adina ( back from Vacay…slowly recovering) 's review
bookshelves: argentina, small-press, booker-international-2022, charco-press
Apr 01, 2022
bookshelves: argentina, small-press, booker-international-2022, charco-press
4.5*
Shortlisted for Booker International Prize 2022
Elena Know is my favourite among the 3.5 out 6 shortlisted books that I’ve read. What makes this novel so special? Its deepness in contrast with its shallo 1st appearance.
If you read the blurb, the novel might appear as a murder mystery. Elena tries to find who killed her daughter. However, the book is so much more. Elena is suffering fromadvanced Parkinson and every day is a struggle for her. The novel begins with her waiting for a pill to become affective in order to allow her to move. She carefully planned a trip to a woman’s house who should be able to help Elena find the truth about her daughter, Rita. The novel consists of the carefully planned and difficult journey and of flashbacks. We are slowly revealed details about Elena’s and Rita’s past and about the unknown woman’s connection with them.
It is a harrowing, honest novel about the burden of coping with an incapacitating disease, which is felt by both the sufferer and the caregiver. It also explores aging, the influence of church on society and women’s freedom of choice. There are other themes discussed but they might be considered spoilers so I will stop here.
Elena Knows is short but very well written and it stabs you directly in the heart.
Shortlisted for Booker International Prize 2022
Elena Know is my favourite among the 3.5 out 6 shortlisted books that I’ve read. What makes this novel so special? Its deepness in contrast with its shallo 1st appearance.
If you read the blurb, the novel might appear as a murder mystery. Elena tries to find who killed her daughter. However, the book is so much more. Elena is suffering fromadvanced Parkinson and every day is a struggle for her. The novel begins with her waiting for a pill to become affective in order to allow her to move. She carefully planned a trip to a woman’s house who should be able to help Elena find the truth about her daughter, Rita. The novel consists of the carefully planned and difficult journey and of flashbacks. We are slowly revealed details about Elena’s and Rita’s past and about the unknown woman’s connection with them.
It is a harrowing, honest novel about the burden of coping with an incapacitating disease, which is felt by both the sufferer and the caregiver. It also explores aging, the influence of church on society and women’s freedom of choice. There are other themes discussed but they might be considered spoilers so I will stop here.
Elena Knows is short but very well written and it stabs you directly in the heart.
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Reading Progress
July 20, 2021
– Shelved
July 20, 2021
– Shelved as:
considering
July 20, 2021
– Shelved as:
argentina
July 20, 2021
– Shelved as:
small-press
March 10, 2022
– Shelved as:
booker-international-2022
March 20, 2022
–
Started Reading
March 22, 2022
–
Finished Reading
April 22, 2022
– Shelved as:
charco-press
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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Jodi
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Apr 01, 2022 07:50PM
I'm happy to see it warranted 5-stars from you, Adina! I'm looking forward to reading it!
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Jodi wrote: "I'm happy to see it warranted 5-stars from you, Adina! I'm looking forward to reading it!" i hope you will like it when you do.
Zee_ zesty wrote: "5 Stars... I might just read it" you should.
Sounds like a winner ! Very glad it is on my -tbr !
I need to get my hands on this one soon! Great review, Adina :)
"Elena Knows is short but very well written and it stabs you directly in the heart. "I'd be adding if it wasn't already on my list.
Jaidee wrote: "Sounds like a winner ! Very glad it is on my -tbr !" i hope you will like it.
Candi wrote: "I need to get my hands on this one soon! Great review, Adina :)" You do, i agree.
Lisa wrote: ""Elena Knows is short but very well written and it stabs you directly in the heart. "I'd be adding if it wasn't already on my list." ;) Enjoy.
Adina, you've convinced me to dare to try this.
It's my favorite too so far. Such a powerful book.
Adina, I've started this and I'm struck by Piñeiro’s intimate portrayal of aging and disability. She joins a handful of novelists who've accurately captured different aspects of old age: Elizabeth Strout, Patrick Modiano, Anakana Schofield, and Philip Roth.
Sidharth wrote: "It's my favorite too so far. Such a powerful book." I agree. I hope it wins.
Dan wrote: "Adina, I've started this and I'm struck by Piñeiro’s intimate portrayal of aging and disability. She joins a handful of novelists who've accurately captured different aspects of old age: Elizabeth ..." Exactly. She might be so good because of personal experience. If I remember well, her mother had Parkinson.
Hey do the events of this book span only a day or is it set over the course of many days? I'm trying to fulfill a prompt for a reading challenge and the blurb seems unclear in this aspect.
Medini wrote: "Hey do the events of this book span only a day or is it set over the course of many days? I'm trying to fulfill a prompt for a reading challenge and the blurb seems unclear in this aspect." The main plot takes place in one day but there are also flashbacks of events that happened earlier.
Attempting to decide which book to take with me for the ferry ride, you did that for me nicely. Thanks Adina!
Magdelanye wrote: "Attempting to decide which book to take with me for the ferry ride, you did that for me nicely. Thanks Adina!" Thank you and os happy you liked the novel.
fantastic review Adina! i literally think about this book at least once a week, "harrowing" is such an apt descriptor.
L. Alex A Henry wrote: "fantastic review Adina! i literally think about this book at least once a week, "harrowing" is such an apt descriptor." yes, it stays with you. The movie is also quite depressing.
Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications) wrote: "L. Alex A Henry wrote: "fantastic review Adina! i literally think about this book at least once a week, "harrowing" is such an apt descriptor." yes, it stays with you. The movie is also quite depre..."wow didn't know there was a movie, i'm off to investigate, thank you!
L. Alex A Henry wrote: "Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications) wrote: "L. Alex A Henry wrote: "fantastic review Adina! i literally think about this book at least once a week, "harrowing" is such an apt descriptor..." Netflix in Spanish.
