LUCKY BROKEN GIRL

Ruth Behar's semiautobiographical novel is set in New York City in 1966. Ruthie is a ten-year-old Cuban immigrant adjusting to life in the United States when she and her family are in a car accident that leaves her in a body cast for almost a year. In Ruthie, Behar creates a character who is a joy to learn about and to champion as her narrow worldview brings relationships and a sense of place to the forefront. Behar's narration of her own work lends the story an authentic feel, though she has a tendency towards overly exaggerated dialogue and uneven pacing. The focus on friendship, the immigrant experience, and coping with tragedy makes this a compelling story. E.A.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2017]