Reviews for �ngeles Fugaces

The average rating for �ngeles Fugaces based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-12-27 00:00:00 Aaron Wheeler Gaslit England during the turn of the century. The story starts during the funeral of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and ends during the funeral of King Edward VII (1901-1910). On their visit to the cemetery to pay respect to their beloved queen, two families meet: the Colemans and the Waterhouses and their relationships are started by the friendship between their two 5-y/o daughters, Maude Coleman and Lavinia Waterhouse. They meet when they are 5 years old and the story ends when they are in the brink of adulthood at the age of 15. One noteworthy aspect of this novel: narrated in first person by each of the major characters without losing the story's focus and the delivery of its message: that women are not the weaker sex. The plot is thin and the prose is easy yet mesmerizing in its beauty. The frequent reference to cemeteries and death seems to be a reminder to its readers that we are all mortals and all of us will die sooner or later. So, it is but proper that we do what is right and contribute in our own ways to leave this world a better place just like what Kitty Coleman and her support to suffragettes' dream of having women vote during elections. It also teaches us that we are all human being and we commit mistakes like Jenny Whitby's pregnancy and Kitty's affair with Richard and the abortion of their baby. It also shows us that time changes no matter what we do like how the Waterhouses try to hold on to their conventional beliefs compared to the openness of the Colemans to change. The title comes from the angel in the grave of the Waterhouses that falls and breaks into parts in one of the scene. In another, it is Lavinia's belief, being a more imaginative child, that the falling stars are actually falling angels that are falling because they are going to earth to deliver some messages. The more practical-minded Maude insists that they are meteorites and not angels. These are 5 year old girls in England in 1901 and this is an example of how Chevalier provides the contrast between the two girls. Okay, those really are not new. The novel is cute though. Smooth reading and Chevalier's attention to details and making use of those details to make her story worth-reading is something that I appreciated. There are still nice novels that do not need to have huge political impact, endorse some earth-shaking philosophy or use big words for me to enjoy. Sometimes, surprises come in small package and this novel for me definitely falls in that category. Not a 1001. Not a 501. No awards from Pulitzer, Booker, etc. No one of my friends here in Goodreads recommended this but definitely a joy, although there are two deaths towards the end, to read.

Review # 2 was written on 2008-07-31 00:00:00 Malyna Swyter This book grabbed me from the very first page. Set at the turn of the century, the story takes place amidst the women's suffrage movement. Gender issues are also noted, whereas the man was the head of the household and "handled" the wife. Each character speaks individually, allowing the reader to listen and decide for themselves where to put the importance of each character. The voice of the youngest children is included, as is the maid, cook, grave digger to the "gubner." Issues of class are also raised in this story from the servants and grave diggers to those of the most forward thinking family.