The Madonnas of Echo Park Audiobook

" The book was an easy read and even better being able to listen to it. A novice level of tying in different characters to the other without too much digging. "

" An easy read that slowly introduces you to new characters and how the each connect with another. A requirement for class, in which the book kept me focused but didn't excite me. "

" I had to read this novel because it takes place in my neighborhood of Echo Park, a historic piece of Los Angeles that has changed faces over the last several decades, first with white movie stars, then Mexican immigrants, then Chinese immigrants, and now a mix of Salvadoran immigrants and white hipsters. Told in a series of short stories with interwoven characters, The Madonnas of Echo Park paints a portrait of a 20th century Los Angeles Mexican community, where families struggle with violence, capitalism, racial tension and sexism. The stories are told from the perspectives of day laborers, housecleaners, bus drivers, college students, mothers, daughters, fathers, wives, gangsters, ex-gangsters, crazy coat ladies who see visions of The Virgin Mary on Sunset Boulevard. Even if you don't live in Echo Park, the spirit of the place will come alive for you, through Brando Skyhorse's descriptive prose. But I loved knowing exactly what street corners and shopping centers the characters were walking by as they navigated the hyphenated borderlands of an American existence. "

" If Crash were a book "

" I liked it but got frustrated towards the end. This is the second book I've read recently that skips around to individual people's perspective by chapter (the first being A Visit from the Good Squad) and I've decided it is not my favorite literary device. Not to say that this book is not well written and interesting, it just required a special effort I didn't have by the end to keep track of who was related and how to whom. If it wasn't a library book, I definitely would have finished it and still intend to eventually. "

" This is a particularly important book given our current climate toward immigrants, particularly Mexican immigrants, and those who have been here for two and three generations. A rare glimpse into the rligious, "gangs" and familial love set in a now gentrified section of Los Angeles. The characters are well developed and brutally honest. U really liked this book and recommend it for both its importance and for enjoyment. "

" The writing style of this novel reminded me of Let the Great World Spin. Each chapter focuses on a new character who is loosely connected to one main event, in this case, a drive-by shooting. At first I wondered if I was going to be reading a collection of short stories but soon came to realize how the characters' lives were intertwined and how one event affected so many. Neither of the books captivated my interest. They were just moderately interesting to me. "

" This book was almost transcendent, but not quite. It's the story of a place, the story of a community, and the story of outsiders, but it somehow didn't hit the perfect pitch of a truly great novel. I don't know why it didn't, and I enjoyed it for what it is. "

" I just don't love it. It never came together as a single book for me, and I found most of the characters to be uninterersting and not to provide the insights into Mexican American culture that I would have tipped the balance for me. Book club discussion improved my reactons marginally by focusing on the plight of illegal aliens and the poverty in which many of the characters live. Still not an enjoyable or gripping read. "

" In am not a big fan of short stories. This book stretched my background knowledge. The only prior knowledge I had about the Hispanic day workers comes from a children's book by Eve Bunting "A Day's Work". "

" I liked this interweaving of stories, however, it was hard sometimes trying to remember who was who referred to earlier on. This would have been a great book to read on an e-reader just to be able to refer back. He's someone to watch fo. "

" Fantastic read. Magic realism meets LA, depicting the intertwining lives of Mexican-Americans, American-Mexicans and those who don't fit into either category. "

" A BCBC selection. An interesting book. I had a bit of trouble keeping track of who was talking and who was related to whom. A big circle but it could have used (in my opinion) more ironing out, too many bumps in the road for a smooth read. "

" Character and culture collide in the hills of Los Angeles - and definitely not the Hollywood Hills. Unforgettable narrative brings you Latino reality beautifully detailed. "

" I enjoyed reading this book even thought at times it was difficult keeping track of all the characters and the relationship to one another. I felt like I needed a flow chart. "

" This book was really good until the very last story. Too much detail. But I loved how one story led to another and in the end you got the whole story. Be sure to read Author's notes. "

" If you haven't read it yet, you should. It better than good, it's great. Highly recommended. "

" Decided not to finish this book as I found it very confusing. Although the descriptions were vivid, the characters were elusive. "

" This was interesting! It was almost like a collections of short stories because each chapter features a different character's story, but all of the characters connect in some way. It was interesting to see how they all fit together in the end. "

" Some of these stories worked for me; others didn't quite hit the mark. The female voices were stronger and more compelling. "

" Interesting prospective on immigration told through the eyes of a bunch of different characters. Really enjoyed it. "

" Too disjointed for me. Felt like multiple stories that were supposed to all tie in together but never did. "

" Terrible from the ridiculous premise and introduction of the book to the silly story within the book. A middle class person's version of what working class people are like. AND he gets most of it wrong including his use of Spanish within the context of pages. "

" I liked some of the stories, but overall not overly impressed with the story. Kind of boring. "

" I found this book a bit frustrating. It should have been a book of short stories. The individual stories were interesting and I wanted to know more about them. Too confusing keeping track of how they are all supposed to be interconnected. I did not even finish the last chapter. I was done by then. "

" LOVED this book! One of the reviewers called it "refreshingly unsentimental" and I couldn't agree more. It felt very realistic and contemporary. Skyhorse wrote about what he knows, and this book leaves you wanting more. "

" I cannot believe they compared this book to Junot Diaz and Sherman Alexie. These men are masters while Mr. Skyhorse is still playing in the minors. It was an interesting read but if you've seen the movie "Crash" you'll think you're read this before. "

" I loved the way the characters' lives intersected. "

" Interesting read. This book explores the lives of several characters who lived in Echo Park a barrio of L.A. and their connections to each other. Muy interesante! "

" A good first novel. A little too M.F.A., but worth reading. "

" An artful look at the varied difficulties faced by Mexican immigrants and natives in Los Angeles over the last several decades. At times beautiful and horrifying, this book deserves to be on the New York Times bestseller list! "

" Really enjoyed this book. I do loved "linked" stories, in general. "

" Very well-written and cleverly-intertwined stories of many who live in this part of LA. Would be even more interesting to people familiar with Echo Park. "

" Very well written interlocking stories about Mexicans living in L.A. and their struggles. I lost interest near the end though.... "

" From the book jacket, I was so sure I'd like this book and couldn't wait to start it. But had a very hard time finishing it. Just couldn't get my mind around it. Very hard to read. "

" Stylish, well-written but fell apart a little at the end. "