The Grief Keeper

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The Grief Keeper
ISBN
978-0-525-51402-2

The Grief Keeper is a

young adults written by Alexandra Villasante. The book was published in 2019 by Putnam and received the Lambda Literary Award
in the following year.

The book tells the story of two sisters from El Salvador, Marisol and Gabi, who flee from an immigrant detention center on the American border, with the older sister, Marisol, being forced to participate in an experimental procedure or risk being deported.

Analysis

The English Journal wrote that this book was used in an AP class to familiarize high school students on gender identity, sexuality, and race.[1]

Reception

Villasante's debut novel received mixed reviews. Yvette Garcia, for

lesbianism and immigration policies were "tastefully handled and woven into the story."[3]

Kirkus Reviews highlighted the author's focus on social issues such as "anti-LGBTQ environment" and "internalized racism in immigrants", and how those are captured by Villasante's writing, but ended on a somewhat negative note, saying that "shifting the focus from loss and the complexities of immigration to the romantic relationship risks implying that relationships can remove grief."[4]

Writing for The Catholic Library World, Annette Fisher criticized the book for its portrayal of the main character, Marisol, calling it "uneven and confusing" due to conflicting personalities. Fisher also noted the various themes that play a part in the book, from sisterly love to wealth disparity, and said none of them are "fully explained or developed", and that "they remain vague and unsatisfying much like the book's ending."[5]

The Grief Keeper won the Lambda Literary Award in 2020, in the Young Adult category.[6]

References

  1. ^ Crawley, S. A., and Sarah J. Donovan. "Creating a Lifeline: Strategies for LGBTQ+ Inclusive-Affirming Practices Across Grades." English Journal, vol. 110, no. 1, 2020, pp. 54-62. ProQuest
  2. ^ Garcia, Yvette (June 2019). "The Grief Keeper". The Booklist. 115 (19/20). Chicago: 84.
  3. ^ "Young Adult". School Library Journal. 65 (5). New York: 78. June 2019.
  4. ^ "THE GRIEF KEEPER". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  5. ^ Fisher, Annette M. (December 2019). "The Grief Keeper". The Catholic Library World. 90 (2). Pittsfield: 156.
  6. ^ "Impromptu". The Horn Book Magazine. 96 (5). Boston: 123–126. September–October 2020.
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