“Holiday Heart” by Margarita Garcia Robayo (Colombia)

Review

Although most readers enjoyed some elements of the book, finding it easy to read, there were mixed feelings about the characters. Most didn’t engage with any of them and, as a result, didn’t feel emotionally invested in their story. They felt that the protagonists’ relationship was joyless and struggled to empathise with either of them. One reader described them as infuriating yet endearing in their flaws. Readers liked the style of writing and felt that the switching of times between past and present was well done. They liked the descriptions of some of the secondary characters’ quirks, and found some humour in them. Readers liked the theme of time in long-term relationships, and how the accumulation of it makes strangers of the protagonists. They agreed that it was a nicely drawn portrait of a bitter couple. Most were disappointed with the ending, which they felt left them wondering, ‘Is that it?’ Overall, it averaged a 7.5 out of 10.

Synopsis

Lucia and Pablo are Colombian immigrants who’ve built their lives together in the US yet maintain conflicting attitudes towards their homeland and the extent to which it defines their identity. After undergoing fertility treatment, Pablo finds himself excluded from raising their twins… Read more

Nicola’s Book Club reading list

Season 22 – “Connection” (Dec 2021 – Apr 2022)
“Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night” by Jon Kalman Stefansson (Iceland) *
“Stay With Me” by Ayobami Adebayo (Nigeria)
“Before the Coffee gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Japan)
“Holiday Heart” by Margarita Garcia Robayo (Colombia)

* The book club favourite
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur