In the pages of The Curse of The Flores Women by Angelica Lopes, the reader becomes drawn into a tale as old as time. A tale of women fighting to break the limitations of society. Steeped in tradition of their homeland and the pressure of being a woman in a man’s world, we are captivated by the beauty of the story of the Flores women. As the story opens we meet Alicia, who may seem to most as an angst-filled young woman. It is soon revealed that there is something she must fight to overcome. Tradition, self sacrifice, classism, and even the binds of her own female family members’ subordination to men. All of this binds her to a life she does not wish to live. All of the restrictions seem an insurmountable task for Alicia to undertake. Her story would be interesting all on its own, however Lopes crafts it into one that seems to transcend time and space to give us the story of generations of Flores women. One woman starts the story off and it falls into the hands of our current character Alicia, who unbeknownst to her, she now holds in her hands what may seem like an ordinary veil, it is in fact so much more than that. In her hands she now holds the key to what her ancestry withstood so she could become who she is meant to be.
What starts as the tale of one young woman’s fight to be a nonconformist to society and its patriarchal stances, every facet of this young woman’s life turns into one of discovery, of what the women of her ancestral lineage have coursing through their veins. Courage, strength, and perseverance, which are only some of the wondrous qualities of these women, and that help to fuel their lives. Starting as a way to secretly share her story with others through the folds of some unassuming hand-sewn lace, a generational tale unravels before our eyes. The reader can empathize with these characters as it seems as if many females of today's society are still fighting for basic human rights. Today we are fighting for bodily autonomy and the right to privacy between ourselves and our doctors without fear of breaking a law or facing criminal offense charges. Gone are many traditions of old, and rightfully so because they would not be acceptable in today's society, yet some still rear their ugly and old-fashioned tentacles, making it seem as if we have made little to no progress for the feminist cause.
The Curse of the Flores Women takes the reader through some heart-wrenching moments, but there are still some other joyous times to share as well. The novel will allow you to see some of the trials and tribulations that have plagued women since the beginning of time. This book, even though it is a work of fiction, seems very much able to capture what life as a woman is like, from the past to the present day. The challenges from one era to another may be different, however the struggle is very much the same. Like learning the act of lace-making, its fragile threading, to its intricate and detailed designs, so are the lives of these characters. Women, not just Flores women, faced and continue to face societal pressures, as well as familial boundaries that try to limit the growth of womankind. It is with a whole heart and resounding “yes” that I recommend this book. I feel that as you read the last sentence of the last chapter you will be glad to have read this wonderful work of words. Regardless of your gender, you will walk a way with a better understanding of just what has plagued women and how to be an ally to women. Happy reading.
Angela “Angie” Ybarra- Soria is a book reviewer, activist, mixed media artist, writer and entrepreneur. An obstacle that may have stood in her way happened in 2013, she suffered 4 brain bleeds and emergency brain surgery, Angela however likes to think of herself as a TBI THRIVER. Angie is a recent graduate of Northeastern Illinois University where she studied Latinx American Studies and Urban Development. Angela has been an advocate for stopping gentrification within brown and Black communities of Chicago. Angela enjoys spending her down time with her grandchildren and introducing them to the sights of the city where she was born and raised. Being of Mexican descent has prompted her to research much about the rich culture of her ancestral heritage. Angela plans to continue her education by pursuing her Masters Degree in Urban Studies to further allow her to better assist communities that have for generations been, or worse, still marginalized.
