Review of Beyond the Clouds, the Sky is Blue
Posted: 18 Mar 2022, 08:15
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Beyond the Clouds, the Sky is Blue" by Dennis Santos.]
A family of seven—Gregory, Felicia, Patricio, Maria, Hena, Domingo, and Estefe Ortiz—are bound to move from the home they have ever known, Puerto Rico, to the United States for greener pastures. Despite Gregory's wife and children's resistance, Gregory insisted that the relocation was the best thing for their family. Indeed, it appeared to be the best approach until it was not.
Gregory, having received an offer for employment to work at a plantation, the Ortiz family set off to what would become their new home. Soon, the family got accustomed to the place, and life appeared to be good. However, tragedy struck, which led to the scattering of the Ortiz kids into various foster homes. Subsequently, the author focuses on Maria (later named Mary), which leads the reader to believe she is the protagonist. Her new home was the adverse of her first home, as it was laced with pain and abuse. Despite the pain of losing her family and the maltreatment she encountered, she came to have one goal. Her goal was to unify her family. How successful will she be? Read this book to see for yourself.
As was seen in the description of Beyond the Clouds, the Sky is Blue by Dennis Santos, it is a true-life story, and Mary Santos is his mother. A picture of them together was incorporated into the book.
The author spared little detail in digging deeply into Mary's life. While I could describe the life experiences of Mary as horrible and heart-wrenching, I could describe some events as heartfelt, lovely, and exciting. The life Mary led is a typical illustration of the struggles a vulnerable person can pass through in a world where such a person seems to be all alone.
The theme of forgiveness is what I appreciated most in this book. Dennis Santos explored it with such finesse. Despite the hard times and difficulties some characters, including Mary, underwent because of the actions and inactions of some characters, like Gregory and Jesse, the aggrieved parties forgave them. From this book, readers will understand that it is not necessarily at the point where you say "I forgive you" that you will actually forgive. It takes time, probably until you have healed.
What I dislike about this book is not necessarily a negative comment about it. It is merely a feeling I had towards an event in this book. As much as it may be believed that Gregory's hands were tied, I did not like the move Gregory had to make towards his children. This is because I believe that in life, there are many choices. In order not to reveal lots of details that could pass off as spoilers, I'd let you unravel the events in this great piece and form your own opinion.
I wish I could say that this book was exceptionally well-edited. However, since I found only an error, it is safe to conclude that it was professionally edited. This is a commendable feat. Since I completely enjoyed this book, I am rating it four out of four stars.
Anyone interested in reading about the life and growth of a young girl born in the 90s through her childhood, adulthood, and old age will find this book engaging. Therefore, I recommend it to them.
******
Beyond the Clouds, the Sky is Blue
View: on Bookshelves
A family of seven—Gregory, Felicia, Patricio, Maria, Hena, Domingo, and Estefe Ortiz—are bound to move from the home they have ever known, Puerto Rico, to the United States for greener pastures. Despite Gregory's wife and children's resistance, Gregory insisted that the relocation was the best thing for their family. Indeed, it appeared to be the best approach until it was not.
Gregory, having received an offer for employment to work at a plantation, the Ortiz family set off to what would become their new home. Soon, the family got accustomed to the place, and life appeared to be good. However, tragedy struck, which led to the scattering of the Ortiz kids into various foster homes. Subsequently, the author focuses on Maria (later named Mary), which leads the reader to believe she is the protagonist. Her new home was the adverse of her first home, as it was laced with pain and abuse. Despite the pain of losing her family and the maltreatment she encountered, she came to have one goal. Her goal was to unify her family. How successful will she be? Read this book to see for yourself.
As was seen in the description of Beyond the Clouds, the Sky is Blue by Dennis Santos, it is a true-life story, and Mary Santos is his mother. A picture of them together was incorporated into the book.
The author spared little detail in digging deeply into Mary's life. While I could describe the life experiences of Mary as horrible and heart-wrenching, I could describe some events as heartfelt, lovely, and exciting. The life Mary led is a typical illustration of the struggles a vulnerable person can pass through in a world where such a person seems to be all alone.
The theme of forgiveness is what I appreciated most in this book. Dennis Santos explored it with such finesse. Despite the hard times and difficulties some characters, including Mary, underwent because of the actions and inactions of some characters, like Gregory and Jesse, the aggrieved parties forgave them. From this book, readers will understand that it is not necessarily at the point where you say "I forgive you" that you will actually forgive. It takes time, probably until you have healed.
What I dislike about this book is not necessarily a negative comment about it. It is merely a feeling I had towards an event in this book. As much as it may be believed that Gregory's hands were tied, I did not like the move Gregory had to make towards his children. This is because I believe that in life, there are many choices. In order not to reveal lots of details that could pass off as spoilers, I'd let you unravel the events in this great piece and form your own opinion.
I wish I could say that this book was exceptionally well-edited. However, since I found only an error, it is safe to conclude that it was professionally edited. This is a commendable feat. Since I completely enjoyed this book, I am rating it four out of four stars.
Anyone interested in reading about the life and growth of a young girl born in the 90s through her childhood, adulthood, and old age will find this book engaging. Therefore, I recommend it to them.
******
Beyond the Clouds, the Sky is Blue
View: on Bookshelves
