60 pages • 2 hours read
The Weight of All Things
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Book Brief
239
Novel • Fiction
El Salvador • 1980s
2000
YA
18+ years
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
1,115 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
1,115 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
239
Novel • Fiction
El Salvador • 1980s
2000
YA
18+ years
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