57 pages • 1 hour read
The Barbarian Nurseries
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
432
Novel • Fiction
Southern California • 2010s
2011
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar chronicles Araceli, a live-in maid for the Torres-Thompson family in a gated Orange County community, who embarks on a journey through Los Angeles with the family's two boys after their parents unexpectedly leave, leading to a media frenzy and legal troubles centered on her immigration status. The novel addresses domestic violence and systemic prejudice.
Gritty
Contemplative
Emotional
Suspenseful
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
3,821 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Héctor Tobar’s The Barbarian Nurseries explores contemporary issues through the lens of a Mexican immigrant housekeeper in Los Angeles. Critics praise its rich character development and insightful social commentary. Some find its pacing uneven and length daunting, but overall, it’s lauded for its compelling narrative and cultural relevance.
Who Should Read The Barbarian Nurseries?
A reader who would enjoy Héctor Tobar's The Barbarian Nurseries is someone interested in contemporary social issues, multicultural dynamics, and the interplay of class and identity in modern America. This novel appeals to fans of Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street and Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections.
3,821 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
432
Novel • Fiction
Southern California • 2010s
2011
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.