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Fruit of the Drunken Tree

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Book Brief

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Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Fruit of the Drunken Tree

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bogotá, Colombia • 1990s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

890L

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Super Short Summary

Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras is a semi-autobiographical novel set in late 1980s and early 1990s Bogotá, following the friendship of young Chula Santiago and her family's maid, Petrona Sanchez, amidst Colombia's violent unrest. As Petrona is coerced into criminal activities, she ultimately chooses to protect Chula, leading to significant consequences for both. Themes of violence, displacement, and coercion are present.

Mysterious

Dark

Melancholic

Emotional

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

20,727 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ingrid Rojas Contreras’ Fruit of the Drunken Tree has been praised for its evocative prose and rich portrayal of 1990s Colombia. The novel’s strengths include strong character development and vivid settings. Criticisms involve a occasionally slow pacing and some predictability in plot twists. Overall, it's a compelling debut that resonates emotionally.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fruit of the Drunken Tree?

Readers who appreciate richly detailed, character-driven narratives set against politically charged backdrops will enjoy Ingrid Rojas Contreras’s Fruit of the Drunken Tree. Fans of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits or Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude will find a similar blend of personal and historical storytelling.

4.1

20,727 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Chula

The protagonist and first-person narrator, whose story spans ages seven to 15, characterized by her emotional, detail-rich narration and insatiable curiosity about the world around her.

A young maid whose indirect and sparse narrative voice reflects her protective silence, and whose relationship with Gorrión and familial responsibilities significantly impact her life.

Chula's mother, who has risen from poverty to affluence and whose decisions are motivated by both benevolent urges and self-preservation instincts.

Chula's older sister, who acts as a foil to Chula with her authoritative demeanor and pragmatic approach to adapting to new environments.

A key male character whose influence over Petrona is profound, providing her with affection and introducing complexities into her life.

A peripheral character who provides financial support to the family, noted for his calm demeanor and overconfidence in the face of danger.

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bogotá, Colombia • 1990s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

890L

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