One of those novels that stays with me & yours too long after you have completed reading it is "Parrot In the Oven". I picked it up on a whim, but the story immediately drew me in. Victor Martinez writes in an easily understood yet powerful style that transports you to Manny’s life.
On multiple occasions during the reading, I paused and reflected, "This sounds like an actual personal diary"
What do I like:
Realistic storytelling - everything is genuine and understandable - nothing seems overdone.
Cultural and emotional death: It masterfully depicts the challenges of migrants’ families, identity, and survival
Some characters might have been developed more as they come and go too quickly.
"Parrot in the Oven" is a different story from a typical one of growing up.