Rosarita

Rosarita cover
Good Books rating 4.0

Technical:
  • ID: 1096
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-01
  • ISBN: 9781668082454
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2025-01-07
  • Formats: 21
  • Reviews: 3

Bonita, an Indian student studying Spanish in Mexico, finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue when an elderly woman, whom she dubs The Trickster, insists she knew Bonita's mother as a talented artist in Mexico. Despite Bonita's initial disbelief, the woman's persistent presence and a series of strange events force Bonita to question her mother's past and her own identity. As she follows The Trickster through Mexico, Bonita uncovers layers of truth and deception that challenge her understanding of her family's history and the impact of past traumas. /n/n Anita Desai's Rosarita is a beautifully crafted exploration of love, memory, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. The novel delves into themes of art, self-expression, and the lingering effects of violence, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico. Desai's masterful storytelling weaves together elements of magical realism and historical fiction, creating a profound and haunting narrative that resonates with emotional depth and cultural richness.

Reviews
BookGeeks · Sankalpita · 2025-01-21
captivating 3.50

The novella is captivating and beautifully crafted, focusing on art, identity, and a daughter's journey to uncover her mother's hidden past in Mexico.

Sankalpita finds the novella captivating and beautifully crafted, with a strong focus on art, identity, and a daughter's journey to uncover her mother's hidden past in Mexico. The reviewer appreciates the intricate storytelling and the way the author blends themes of art and identity. The book is seen as a compelling exploration of a daughter's quest for understanding, set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico. The reviewer highlights the author's ability to create a rich and immersive narrative that resonates with readers.


Quick quotes

    A captivating novella about art, identity, and a daughter's journey to uncover her mother's hidden past in Mexico.

    Desai's intricate sentences amplify the beautiful backdrop of Mexico.

    The book is a compelling exploration of a daughter's quest for understanding.

The Guardian · 2024-07-04
profound 4.50

The novel is praised for its profound and riddling exploration of a young woman's quest in Mexico. It is seen as a late, transcendent gift from the author.

This review highlights the novel's depth and complexity, describing it as a profound and riddling exploration of a young Indian woman's journey through Mexico. The reviewer sees it as a transcendent late gift from Anita Desai, suggesting that the novel's themes of identity and memory are beautifully woven into the narrative. The book is celebrated for its evocative storytelling and the way it captures the essence of the characters' lives.


Quick quotes

    A profound and riddling novel that follows a young Indian woman's quest through Mexico.

    A transcendent late gift from Anita Desai.

    The book has that elusive, unresolved quality of a passing glimpse into its characters' lives.

Migrant Women Press · 2024-07-01
poignant 4.00

The novel is lauded for its exploration of self-discovery and the complexities of migration. The daughter's journey to uncover her mother's past is seen as both poignant and powerful.

This review emphasizes the novel's focus on self-discovery and the intricacies of migration. The reviewer appreciates the poignant portrayal of a daughter's journey to uncover her mother's past in a foreign land. The book is praised for its emotional depth and the way it captures the essence of identity and belonging. The reviewer finds the narrative both moving and insightful, highlighting the author's ability to weave a compelling story around themes of memory and heritage.


Quick quotes

    Rosarita delves into a tale of searching and self-discovery told through a daughter chasing the memory of her mother in a foreign land.

    The novel explores the complexities of migration and the search for identity.

    A poignant and powerful exploration of a daughter's journey to uncover her mother's past.