Elizabeth Acevedo’s Family Lore has been praised for its rich, multi-generational storytelling, vivid characters, and lyrical prose. Critics commend Acevedo's exploration of family dynamics and cultural heritage. However, some note that the pacing can be uneven and the narrative occasionally feels fragmented. Overall, it's a compelling read that resonates emotionally.

Readers who enjoy Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo are likely fans of intergenerational family sagas, magical realism, and rich cultural narratives. Comparable to readers of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits and Julia Alvarez’s How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, they appreciate deep character development and lyrical prose.

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo is a multi-perspective magical realism novel that follows the Dominican American Marte family as they attend a living wake for the elder Flor, who has the gift of predicting death. As Flor plans the event, her family confronts their own personal issues and memories, exploring themes of love, diaspora, and familial complexities while reflecting on their individual gifts and histories. This novel includes references to infertility, miscarriage, gang-related violence, postpartum depression, verbal abuse, alcohol addiction, and attempted sexual assault.

Emotional / Inspirational / Contemplative / Bittersweet / Heartwarming

**Flor Marte**  
A primary character known for her foresight through dreams, Flor navigates complex family dynamics as the daughter of Mamá Silvia and Papá Susano and the sister to several siblings; she plans a living wake upon dreaming of her own death.

**Matilde Marte**  
A primary character who struggles with multiple miscarriages, Matilde becomes a maternal figure to her nieces, runs a shop with Yadi, and experiences personal growth through dancing, despite lacking her sisters' magical gifts.

**Pastora Marte**  
A primary character with the gift of truth-hearing, Pastora's brash yet protective nature stems from a challenging childhood, including false accusations and trauma, leading her to fiercely defend her family.

**Anacaona “Ona” Marte**  
A primary character revealed as the novel's writer, Ona is Flor's daughter who balances complex relationships with both parents and explores her identity as she struggles with infertility and family history.

**Yadira “Yadi” Marte de Polanco**  
A primary character and the daughter of Pastora, Yadi is a sensitive and thoughtful young woman whose magical gift and journey to emotional healing are shaped by therapy and time spent with Mamá Silvia.

**Mamá Silvia**  
A secondary character who, driven by her family's expectations and past shame, raises her children with strict discipline, only cultivating closer bonds with her younger offspring and granddaughter, Yadi.

**Camila Marte**  
A secondary character who, as the youngest sibling, maintains a loving relationship with her mother and navigates marriage and motherhood, while striving to prove herself within the family.

**Abuela Eugenia, Nun Aunt, La Vieja [Redacted]**  
Secondary characters who influence the family dynamics through generational expectations and magical gifts, with La Vieja's spiritual possession affecting Pastora and Flor intervening to alter family history.

Study Guide

Book Brief

Explore Family Lore reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief Family Lore

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Overview

Get ready to explore Family Lore and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Family Lore Summary and Study Guide

Background

Family Lore Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Six Weeks Before the Wake” - Part 2: “Two Days Until the Wake”

Part 1-Part 2, Chapter 8

Family Lore Part 1-Part 2, Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Two Days Until the Wake” - Part 3: “One Day Until the Wake”

Part 2, Chapter 9-Part 3, Chapter 17

Family Lore Part 2, Chapter 9-Part 3, Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “One Day Until the Wake”

Part 3, Chapters 18-27

Family Lore Part 3, Chapters 18-27 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 28-36

Family Lore Part 3, Chapters 28-36 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Wake”

Part 4 Family Lore Part 4 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Family Lore Character Analysis

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Themes

Family Lore Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Family Lore Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Family Lore Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Family Lore Essay Topics

Elizabeth Acevedo

Adult

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Family Lore

Book Brief

Family Lore

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

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