The Tree of Red Stars

by Tessa Bridal

This work of autobiographical fiction tells the story of Magda—a girl bewildered by the political upheaval in her native Uruguay—as her life comes under seige, and the subtle and overt results of her political activism. Magda's childhood in the 1960s in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, is one of small sitting beneath the poinsettia tree in her yard, meeting her friends by the banks of the Rio de la Plata, and learning the rules that her culture ordains for young women of privilege. But as Magda grows up, her comfortable world becomes frightening in ways that she has never imagined it could. As her government increasingly turns on its own people in both subtle and overt acts of terror, Magda's family and friends come under threat. Sent to the United States for a year of school, Magda realizes how her own passivity has contributed to the fear that now grips her country. The events she experiences after her return to Montevideo give her the courage to join the underground struggle against the government—a fateful decision that draws not only her, but all those around her, into unexpected danger.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, 20th Century

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with many of the books I have at home, and have collected since I started this obsession, The Tree of Red Stars has been on my to-read list for a long time. However, not all of the various young adult novels from around the world have been as good as I was expecting them to be. The Tree of Red Stars was one of the first ones that I can truthfully say was actually better than my expectations.

If I had had more time over Thanksgiving break, I would not have been able to put this down. However, as it was, I had to take it back to school with me and find time to sneak in my reading between study periods.

I don't always like books that have a first chapter that tells you the outcome of the story. However, The Tree of Red Stars managed to do this really well. Even though I knew some of what happened later, I was hooked until the very end of the story. Something that helped with this was the characterization of Magdalena and Emilia. They grew from girls who didn't care about politics to members of the resistance, and I think that's a story we don't hear enough.

In today's political climate in America, I think it is very important and valuable to study the Cold War political revolutions in Latin America. All I've ever learned in school is that they failed, and I never questioned that, except to say that the US was in charge, and the US knew what they were doing. I don't think it was until the 2016 election that I began to wonder whether the US really had it as together as I thought we did. Now, I think it's more important than ever to learn about these revolutions and why they failed. History may repeat itself in the near future, and I don't think it's right that we as Americans are so ethnocentric. After reading The Tree of Red Stars, I have decided to actively look for more of these stories so I can better understand the tensions in the US and the world as a whole today. I think this book, more than anything I've ever come across, illustrates how influential the Cold War was and is in society as a whole.

[Yvan Ysla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a pleasant surprise. I had no great expectations about it, since I had bought it mainly because it was set in Uruguay, something not very common.
The story describes the story of two neighborhood friends: Magdalena and Emilia and the people around them (neighbors, friends, etc.), in the convulsed Uruguay of the 60s and 70s, when the country was practically on the verge of a civil war: student protests, urban guerrilla groups (the famous Montoneros), police and military repression. But the novel does not only describe the atmosphere in Uruguay in those years, but also the life in the neighborhood, so typical of any Latin American city at any time. That life of friends, of knowing who lives where, the problems and joys they have, a little of the life that the neighbors lead. Not with malice, but simply because one is a neighbor. That love that arises in the neighborhood between two neighbors who have known each other practically forever.
The novel is very well written (at least the German version), with no too many descriptions. A recommended reading to get to know a little about a country, Uruguay, of which many people don't know much about. I give it 4.5 stars.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book for a reading challenge to read a book set in Latin America written by a Latin American author, and I'm so glad I did. I love coming of age stories, but without this prompt, I might not have picked up this gem of a book.
Set during the political upheaval in Uruguay in the 1960s (which I confess to never having known about before), the story follows young Magda and the other members of her town. The politics are never really explained, but it's not necessary in a story about individuals drawn to revolutionary causes.

[Suttonreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for school so it was hard to read in that aspect. However, it had interesting points.

[Rowland Pasaribu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The triumph of Tessa Bridal's 1997 novel, The Tree of Red Stars, is not that it introduces contemporary American readers to the political upheaval in Uruguay in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, the political situation surrounding the events of the book is somewhat under-explained, left to function as a frightening shadow and not really examined in much detail. Like much in totalitarian countries, the political dynamic that drives the actions of the characters in this novel is shrouded behind a veil of lies and destroyed evidence. Read as a novel about Uruguayan history, this book can only hope to sensitize readers to the signs of what a government is like when it is in the process of turning against its citizens. However, the book is of even more immediate relevance to readers than that. It presents a universal story of how individuals are drawn into revolutionary causes. The natural process that the novel's protagonist, Magdalena Ortega Grey, undergoes is parallel to a political maturation that readers around the world can relate to in their own lives.

At first glance, Magda might seem to be a weak choice to be the narrator of a novel about social upheaval. She comes from a wealthy family, and her parents and extended family make certain that she is trained in the bourgeois values that fit upper-middle-class Uruguayan society. Because of her elevated social status, it would have been very easy to ruin the novel by portraying Magda's concerns falsely.

In every social movement that entails fighting for the rights of the oppressed, there are purists who have a difficult time accepting outsiders who have benefited from the rules made by the oppressors. The rich, according to them, could never experience the social outrage needed of true revolutionaries. Doubtlessly, many who have suffered from brutal regimes like the one described in this book would dismiss Magda. Bridal gives an example of this thinking in Laura, the girl who gives up her only boots when Magda is fleeing from the police. While mocking Magda's wealth, Laura sarcastically and correctly guesses that the rich girl's parents would never let her come to the area of town where Laura lives. She sees Magda as someone who is dabbling in revolution but is free to flee back to her own sheltered world when things turn bad. Magda, in fact, seems to feel the same way about herself: at the end of the story, when her grandmother tries to convince her that the best way to help free Marco is to go to Europe and publicize the events in Uruguay, Magda feels that leaving the country would be a cowardly act of abandonment.

While a wealthy character in a novel about revolution might be accused of being superficial, there is also the danger that a writer might be tempted to use a wealthy protagonist to overstate the revolutionary cause. A protagonist from the ranks of the oppressed might not allow a writer to bring out the vibrancy of the situation. An impoverished narrator would be familiar with the tactics that are used to keep all of her or his peers from revolting, but such characters would show less dramatic change when taking up the cause. Oppressed people tend to take a world-weary, jaded view toward their own situations, having gradually grown familiar with oppression on a daily basis. For a child raised in privilege, however, the moment of suddenly becoming aware of evil comes as a great shock. It is easy for novelists to shake up their readers by exposing governmental repression to the book's bourgeois protagonist (which, to some extent, actually is the structure of The Tree of Red Stars) who then becomes a zealous convert to political activism.
Wisely, Bridal manages to make Magda a credible observer and participant, showing her commitment to political change to be something that, despite her upbringing, she is in fact able to feel sincerely. Used as she is here, the character of an upper-middle-class girl can be an excellent tool for showing readers what is involved in many levels of a society in turmoil.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut novel and winner of the 1997 Milkweed Prize for Fiction: This book tells a story about love and ideals during Uruguay's takeover by military dictatorship in the 1960's.

Interesting and well written with a appearance of Che Guevara. It is surely worth the read. Although the novel has an inevitable conclusion, grand moments of human sacrifice make the story of young Magda compelling.




Author: Tessa Bridal
Publisher: Milkweed Editions
Copyright: 1997
Genre: Novel
Pages: 287
Date Read- 6/4/08 to 6/9/08


NOTES
____________
p. 171
Does waste dull the senses?
The student's don't seem to care much about the government. I'm not sure if they believe in it or simply ignore it. I hope they won't be disappointed. They think that because they have free elections, they are a free people. They seem more sedated than free. Its difficult to think when one is assaulted one all sides with things to buy. Whish takes me right back to the Cerro and how you talked about two kinds of sugar.

p. 204
I've walked miles
on the roads of your thoughts
and cleansed my hands
in the like of your body.
I've breathed a breath
of myself on you
simply to watch it journey
through the labyrinths of mist
never to come back to see me.

I've held to things
with willing hands
and no old voices
called me back.
I've looked at sunsets
without blindness or fear
become a mirror
and not its image
a deep, deep lake
and not its shimmer
and if I am allowed
to touch you yet gain
let it be with open hands.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Magdalena is a believable and likable main character, and her perceptive observations about the people and happenings in Uruguay helped me to feel like I was actually there with her and experiencing this tumultuous time in history along with her and her compañeros. The narration of this story had a good balance of levity and seriousness and dealt respectfully with some really heavy topics. It presented an alternative perspective to US intervention in Latin America without preaching or pressuring readers to accept that perspective, but rather inviting them in to consider different viewpoints and what it might have been like to grow up in Uruguay in the 60's.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magda grows up in a privileged home in Montevideo, Uruguay. The first part of the novel takes us through her childhood life taking for granted the world she lives in. As the story progresses we learn more aboiut the larger picture - the politics of the nation and Latin America in general - until finally we are absorbed by it. An interesting window into a country we know little about. The writing flows well and makes for an easy read. Would be good for a discussion group, or for a class on Latin American history.

[Mette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts are foreseeable and the main character becomes a bit Bella-Swan-esque in some parts, but I still really enjoyed this book. It taught me more about Uruguay than any history book could (not that European ones include stuff about Latin America, lol). The story was captivating, all of the side characters seemed like real people and the love story was really just the cherry on top. And yes, it's the kind of love story where people yearn for chapter upon chapter until finally something happens - I do love that stuff.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was unprepared for the conclusion of this book, while it was not a complete surprise (thanks to a graduate school seminar on nationalism in latin america), it was poignant. i thoroughly enjoyed the episodic storytelling & retelling of childhood moments. i had the pleasure of speaking with the author. while strung together as a work of fiction, all of the stories in this novel are true - based on her experiences & the experiences of her friends & family in uruguay.

[Karla Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! In my hometown of Montevideo, Minnesota stands a statue of Jose Aretega and there was a sister city relationship between the two cities. This book has renewed the desire to visit the country!

[Michelle's Musings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book from a Little Free Library. It is set in Uruguay in the 1960s, and while I knew about the US and Russia's involvement in many of the "banana republics" I didn't really know anything about Uruguay and its tumultous days then as other governments impacted the ability of Uruguay to self-govern. This is a beautifully written novel. It follows the main character Magda from childhood, showing disparities in social status, and her involvement in underground movements and her capture and torture. Highly recommend this book.

[Gail Schechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book from the free neighborhood library and it was such an incredible story! I had no knowledge of Uruguay nor their struggles in the 1960’s and 70’s and loved learning their difficult history. It is a brilliant story of the people of this country whose desire for what is right led them to unspeakable tragedies. It is a powerful testament to the strength of a movement and the people who risk everything for the country they love.

[Yara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book, I learned so much about the history of Uruguay. At first, I thought the pace was slow, sounding very much like a biography, then all of a sudden I was in the trenches and what I thought I was waiting for was finally happening - being the political history of what took place. The ending is very solemn in a way every exile would understand. I enjoyed this book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book - I couldn't put it down. My family hosted an exchange student from Montevideo in the 1970s and this book filled in the gaps for me - things intimated that I couldn't understand as a teenager.

[briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

i never expected this book to be one of my favorites (i only picked it up as an assignment); although it deals with some heavy topics, that’s realistic and it’s so well written. i definitely recommend it as i’ve grown to love it.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't know much about Uruguay, it's history or politics.

[Kyra Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm shocked at the low rating by others. Best book I've read in some time. Exquisite writing; loved it!

[mads:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for ap lit!

[Margaret Azu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Tree of Red Stars by Tessa Bridal. This book was the story of a young girl named Magdalena and her growth. She lived in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, at a time when the government was turning to Communism. She lived a sheltered life in the upper class until she became interested in the political affairs of her country. Magda had aways been outgoing and curious. She often got herself into trouble and played pranks, but this was not nearly as dangerous as what she would encounter in her later life.
Magdalena maintained a somewhat normal early life. She kept many friendships, the most important with her friend Emily and her friend Marco who she would later fall in love with. Magdalena traveled to the United States with a student exchange program and later went to the university in Montevideo to learn about economics in order to take over her grandmother's farmland. It was while she was here that Magda became part of the Tupamaros, a secretive group that rebelled against the government in hopes to promote socialism. She suffered many years in a torturous prison after her efforts of using her job at the United States Information Services to provide the Tupamaros with valuable information. Her involvement with this group and her interest in politics contributed to the coming-of-age of Magdalena.
The Tree of Red Stars was a very good book. The author's vivid descriptions made the book very realistic even though it was a work of fiction. It gives readers a better appreciation for life under their own government, even if it isn't perfect. This book presents the hardships of life under a strict dictatorship. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read a well-written historical fiction book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and moving book. I bought it to give to my mother, but ended up reading it myself first. Since I have a personal connection to Uruguay, I particularly enjoyed the history of, and the scenes in, my mother's home country. The political struggles in the 60's and 70's and the fate of the "dissappeared" were hard for me to read because of my family connection. I traveled to Uruguay about a year after reading this novel, and the descriptions of the landscape and the people were so fresh in my mind, as well as my mother's stories, that it was like I'd just gone away for a few weeks and was returning "home." I did have the opportunity to converse with Tessa Bridal via e-mail before my trip, and have since lost touch with her. In the rare event that she subscribes to this site, I just want the opportunity to tell her how much the book meant to me and my family.

For those of you without a personal connection to this beatiful country, you will love the coming of age story of two best friends, the love story, and the vivid characters.

Stephanie

[Chloe Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Magda. She is a young girl who grows up in Uruguay during the political unrest of the 1960s and 70s. Magda must find her self and learn how to be a woman in a world where so much is changing. Her family and others are affected by violence and she her self eventually gets involved in the politics protesting teh government's dictatorship. While this is happening she falls in love and has experiences with friends and family that will forever shape her.

I love this book. Magda is such an interesting character. See her change and grow up through the novel was enthralling. She views things in such a unique way. It was interseting to see her have to deal with all the common problems of becoming a woman in such a changing and difficult environment. The characters were really dynamic and changed realistically, making the story very relatible even though I have never been through anything like it.

Warnings: Vilolence, Sexual content

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving book about Uruguay in the 60's when the Tupamaros battled the military dictatorship of the country. This books follows three privileged young women and their families as they grow into adolescents and young adulthood and the enormous disparities in their lives and those of the majority of the country become clear to them. The portrayal of the torture and tragedies experienced by countless people is heartbreaking. Yet, the relationships between the characters give the reader some kind of hope.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to people in the Cranbury book group who have been there, this is a realistic portrayal of life in Uruguay during the sixties. Upper class life, life in the poorest shanties, political unrest in the universities. A coming of age story too. Noone has seen a poinsettia tree, but noone doubts it exists. Beautifully written story of two girls and their boy friends from age 7-8 to adulthood.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book I discovered through the Milkweed National Fiction Prize list. This was an engrossing book that transported me to Uruguay with its physical beauty but mainly the beauty in the struggle of its people for freedom. The love, the bravery, the fear, and the double lives of the community of resisters all took my breath away.

[Florence Primrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an account, fictionalized, of the events of Uruguay under siege in the 1960s. The author puts the reader in Uruguay in the midst of the turmoil.
This was all new material for me and I found it very interesting, even though it was not as well- written as some books.

[Marilynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son read this in college and passed it on to me several years ago. I think I really needed to read this. I knew very little about the history of South American countries. I read more since then and my book group really enjoyed the book and discussion over a cup of matte tea.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insights into what inspires people to take political action, even when it appears to be against their own family and self-interest. See more at International Reads' blog about Uruguay.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uraguay sounded like a nice place before i read this, now it's much more alluring