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Sandra Benitez

The Weight of All Things

Sandra BenitezFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2000

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Book Brief

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Sandra Benitez

The Weight of All Things

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

239

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

El Salvador • 1980s

Theme
Publication Year

2000

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In The Weight of All Things by Sandra Benitez, nine-year-old Nicolás embarks on a perilous journey in war-torn El Salvador after his mother is killed during Archbishop Romero’s funeral. In search of her, Nicolás faces the devastation of his hometown, becomes involved with guerrillas, and narrowly escapes various dangers, all while guided by his faith and the statue of La Virgen Milagrosa. This book contains descriptions of war-related violence and trauma.

Melancholic

Emotional

Suspenseful

Challenging

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.3

1,115 ratings

76%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sandra Benitez's The Weight of All Things has received mixed reviews. Critics praise its emotive portrayal of the Salvadoran Civil War and the depth of the protagonist's journey, lauding Benitez's lyrical prose. However, some reviewers feel that the pacing is uneven and that certain character developments lack depth. Overall, it is considered a poignant but sometimes flawed historical novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Weight of All Things?

Readers who appreciate poignant, character-driven narratives set against historical backdrops would enjoy The Weight of All Things by Sandra Benitez. Fans of Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits or Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner will find similar themes of survival, resilience, and the personal impacts of political turmoil.

4.3

1,115 ratings

76%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

239

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

El Salvador • 1980s

Theme
Publication Year

2000

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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