Orange Wine Review 🍊
There were so many things I disliked about this book, but then again I was so invested in the story and I couldn't put it down. This normally isn't the type of book I would choose to read, but I saw it in a giveaway on Goodreads and decided there was no harm in entering. When I won the book, I kept putting off reading it because it took me forever to get through the last E-books I read (reading on a phone can be a nightmare). When I finally started reading Orange Wine, I was flying through it way faster than I expected.
Orange Wine tells the tale of Inés's life, born into a life of waning wealth, artistic expression, and jealous sisters in a small town in Columbia. First we are told her family's history and her early life, all leading up to her husband cheating on her with her sister and leaving her after the birth of their daughter. The rest of the story--and her life-- is the fall out of this event.
The descriptions of the settings and atmosphere were very lush and vibrant, but the dialogue was a bit underwhelming. Most of the plot was told to us rather than shown. At first when we were told Inés's origin, I liked being told what had happened. I assumed that once we got to the part where her husband left her, there would be a shift to more dialogue and action rather than just description of what was happening, but that shift never came.
The plot was A LOT of drama. It was simultaneously just random things happening in Inés's life and way too many dramatic events. It felt like a roller coaster, but things happened so suddenly that it felt like we were teleporting from the top to the bottom rather than rolling down the track. Because of how much was happening and how quick the chapters were, it was very fast paced.
I tried so hard to feel sympathy for Inés, but even from the beginning, we were told that she was the prettiest and most perfect daughter and she never did anything wrong and I instantly felt like the tone was off. Her sisters were jealous of her and they were horrible to her for their whole lives because of that. Aside from the children, I didn't find any of the characters remotely likable or sympathetic.
I was expecting more feminist themes from this book than what we got. I was hoping we would see Inés grow and become independent but pretty much her whole life is centered around men. And on top of that, pretty much all of the female characters were terrible people who tried to put Inés down.
I was actually becoming annoyed with the themes of art and self-expression throughout this book. The artistic characters all seemed so entitled and pretentious, as if because they were creatives they didn't have to work for anything in their lives or devote any time to anyone else. I was really looking forward to seeing Inés find her independence through her art and her artistic career, but that aspect of the book was only minorly rewarding because she never really was independent.
I feel like there were a lot of themes related to Columbian culture and history that I couldn't quite figure out what to think about them because I don't know that much about Columbia. I don't have much to say about them because of my lack of knowledge in the area but I was picking up the themes of old vs. new world, liberation, class, and reputation within the historical and geopolitical context. I found those parts to be really neat, but I just wish I knew more about them.
Overall, I was let down by this book mostly because based on the synopsis I was expecting a feminist tale of a woman finding independence and using her art to both support and express herself. Instead, the heart of this story was a love story. I am the type of person who wants at least a little bit of romance in a book, but this romance was one of the main flaws of this book in my opinion.
After diving deep into 'Orange Wine' by Esperanza Hope Snyder, I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions, much like the book's dramatic plot. While my initial review covers my core thoughts, I wanted to share a few more reflections and perhaps help potential readers decide if this is their next read, especially since so many of you are searching for honest opinions on this 'Orange Wine book review.' One major point that kept coming up for me was the expectation vs. reality regarding its feminist themes. The synopsis hinted at a woman finding her independence, and as someone who cherishes stories of female empowerment, I was really hoping Inés would evolve into a powerful, self-reliant figure. Instead, her journey felt largely defined by the men around her, and the female relationships, including her sisters, often felt more antagonistic than supportive. If you're picking up 'Orange Wine' hoping for a strong feminist narrative or a celebration of sisterhood, you might find yourself, like me, wishing for more. However, if you're intrigued by a raw, unfiltered portrayal of a woman navigating a patriarchal society with all its complexities and heartbreaks, then this aspect might resonate differently with you. It’s a depiction of struggle, not necessarily triumph, and there's value in that too, even if it wasn't what I personally sought. Another fascinating, yet underdeveloped, aspect for me was the exploration of Colombian culture and history. The author clearly tried to weave in themes of old vs. new world, liberation, class, and reputation within a historical and geopolitical context. I found these elements incredibly rich and intriguing, but as I mentioned, my limited knowledge of Colombian history left me feeling like I was missing some deeper nuances. For readers who are well-versed in Latin American literature or history, these layers could add significant depth, providing a backdrop that truly enriches Inés's personal drama. It makes me wonder if a second read, perhaps with some historical context research beforehand, would unveil even more. The writing style itself was a mixed bag. The OCR highlighted 'vivid settings but underwhelming dialogue' and a 'told rather than shown' narrative, which I completely agree with. The descriptions of Columbia were lush and vibrant, truly transporting me. However, the dialogue often felt functional rather than revealing, and the constant narration of events made it hard to fully immerse myself in the characters' emotions or connect with Inés on a deeper level. If you're a reader who prioritizes strong world-building and atmospheric prose over sharp dialogue or character-driven action, you might still appreciate the narrative style. Ultimately, my 2.75-star rating for 'Orange Wine' by Esperanza Hope Snyder comes from this blend of captivating elements and significant disappointments. It’s a book that kept me turning pages, despite my frustrations, a testament to its inherent drama. If you're looking for a fast-paced, dramatic saga with a unique cultural backdrop and don't mind a protagonist who struggles to find her footing, this 'Orange Wine book' might be an interesting, albeit challenging, read for you. It's definitely one that sparks discussion!