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The Land of 10,000 Madonnas
Five teens backpack through Europe to fulfill the mysterious dying wish of their friend.
Jesse lives with his history professor dad in a house covered with postcards of images of the Madonna from all over the world. They’re gotten used to this life: two motherless dudes living among thousands of Madonnas. But Jesse has a heart condition that will ultimately cut his life tragically short. Before he dies, he arranges a mysterious trip to Europe for his three cousins, his best friend, and his girlfriend to take after he passes away. It’s a trip that will forever change the lives of these young teens and one that will help them come to terms with Jesse’s death.
Jesse lives with his history professor dad in a house covered with postcards of images of the Madonna from all over the world. They’re gotten used to this life: two motherless dudes living among thousands of Madonnas. But Jesse has a heart condition that will ultimately cut his life tragically short. Before he dies, he arranges a mysterious trip to Europe for his three cousins, his best friend, and his girlfriend to take after he passes away. It’s a trip that will forever change the lives of these young teens and one that will help them come to terms with Jesse’s death.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2016
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3141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 18, 2017
1.5 maybe if I'm feeling generous
That was just wildly disappointing
That was just wildly disappointing
January 17, 2017
This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of last year, and I am simply crushed to say that I did not enjoy it, not even in the slightest. The synopsis promises a road trip around Europe between the girlfriend, best friend and cousins of a boy who died of a heart condition, age eighteen. If you know me, you know that I love books which explore both grief and Europe, and big casts/multiple POVs are my jam. This book sounded like it had been written for me.
However, these characters were way too quirky for my tastes. I hated how pretentious and awful they were to one another. Like John Green and Jennifer Niven’s characters, the entire cast were too odd to seem even remotely realistic. I have never meet a teenager who speaks like these characters do. Ever. I refuse to believe that people like this exist! I especially disliked Ben and Lillian, although I did think that Matthew was a tad relatable at times because of all his anxiety triggers (flying, heights, water)... but that was it.
The way the story is told - in third person - was disorientating. I usually prefer third person over first but it did not work in this story. We were meant to be following a particular character each chapter, but the switch in ‘POVs’ was abrupt and jarring, making the pacing of the book as a whole disjointed.
I was also absolutely devastated that the characters spent the entire story talking, arguing and being bitter & childish instead of exploring Europe. For a book whose synopsis promises a “road trip across Europe”, we spent no time sight-seeing or talking about the setting (apart from a little bit about Rome). I was furious that the majority of the book was spent on pointless dialogue and internal monologue.
Overall?
I am literally devastated to say that there was not a single thing that I enjoyed about this book. The characters were horrendous. Matthew had his moments, but the entire cast was unlikely. The writing style was pretentious and irritating, and the lack of Europe-ness was maddening. I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of Hattemer’s books.
However, these characters were way too quirky for my tastes. I hated how pretentious and awful they were to one another. Like John Green and Jennifer Niven’s characters, the entire cast were too odd to seem even remotely realistic. I have never meet a teenager who speaks like these characters do. Ever. I refuse to believe that people like this exist! I especially disliked Ben and Lillian, although I did think that Matthew was a tad relatable at times because of all his anxiety triggers (flying, heights, water)... but that was it.
The way the story is told - in third person - was disorientating. I usually prefer third person over first but it did not work in this story. We were meant to be following a particular character each chapter, but the switch in ‘POVs’ was abrupt and jarring, making the pacing of the book as a whole disjointed.
I was also absolutely devastated that the characters spent the entire story talking, arguing and being bitter & childish instead of exploring Europe. For a book whose synopsis promises a “road trip across Europe”, we spent no time sight-seeing or talking about the setting (apart from a little bit about Rome). I was furious that the majority of the book was spent on pointless dialogue and internal monologue.
Overall?
I am literally devastated to say that there was not a single thing that I enjoyed about this book. The characters were horrendous. Matthew had his moments, but the entire cast was unlikely. The writing style was pretentious and irritating, and the lack of Europe-ness was maddening. I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of Hattemer’s books.
May 15, 2016
I'm not angry enough to rage. I'm just disappointed at how - well - disappointing this is. Too many points of view to actually develop the characters, who never become properly shaded in. Too much bouncing from stereotype to stereotype. The plot is cookie-cutter; I've literally read this story before. And there's lots of faux-profundity reaching at meaning by hyping a death.
This is obviously supposed to be about the journey and not about the destination, but it doesn't make it there. Or anywhere. There's no conclusion at all, which means that essentially this book says nothing: nothing about moving past grief, nothing about newfound friendship, nothing about family. There's no there there.
This is obviously supposed to be about the journey and not about the destination, but it doesn't make it there. Or anywhere. There's no conclusion at all, which means that essentially this book says nothing: nothing about moving past grief, nothing about newfound friendship, nothing about family. There's no there there.
June 30, 2018
2,5 ster. Vond het best een leuk boek, maar ik vond het behoorlijk irritant dat iedereen voortdurend maar aan het zeuren was ipv te genieten van al het moois dat Europa te bieden had. Daarnaast was het einde best plotseling en had ik niet echt het gevoel dat ze iets 'bereikt' hadden. Het boek was okee, maar alles was het gewoon nét niet.
June 22, 2016
If you're looking for a light, summery roadtrip story through Europe, you'd better look elsewhere ("Love and Gelato," "Wanderlost," specifically). But don't — please, don't — let the oddity of this story distract from its skill and beauty. What the author has accomplished is giving us six fascinating, conflicted characters, each of whom experiences a personal development that ties into those of their counterparts, amid contemplation and conversation that's truly (if darkly) funny and richly philosophical. Questions of gender and race are introduced lightly but insightfully, and the very format of the novel and the quest story are interrogated — in fact, there's nearly nothing this book doesn't do except give into contemporary tropes of what's fun in YA. Bear with the odd vocabulary and the times at which each character becomes kind of unlikable — real people dealing with immense problems...sometimes are — and rewards will keep unfolding themselves, right up to the final chapter.
dnfs
July 12, 2017I've been on a DNF roll this month. I know I should probably stick to reading books, but when something's not capturing my interest, angers me, or it feels weird, I think it's best to put that book down and find something else.
The Land of 10,000 Madonnas had an interesting premise (a road trip through Europe in order to fulfill a dead cousin's wishes sounds incredibly fun, scary, and exhilarating, if you ask me), but it was bogged down by overly-descriptive writing and a self-wallowing protagonist that drove me absolutely crazy (I don't know how many there are, but the narration is in third-person, so I can assume several). The very beginning didn't even start with the road trip (which it probably shouldn't because that needs build-up), but rather a journal entry from Jesse, the dead cousin who was born with a hole in his chest (or, in medical terms, an atrial septal defect), recounting on a day he spent with his cousin, Cal, in Santa Fe. It was confusing at first but had a nice connection by the end, and I ended up sympathizing with him a far bit because I liked his voice.
However, after that chapter, we have a flash forward with Cal about to graduate high school, receiving the journal and a plane ticket to Europe that Jesse wanted bought for all his cousins. Not only did the narrative switch from first to third, but the flowery narrative style and the dialogue didn't fit well together. I also didn't really like Cal that much. All that spunk she had at 13 evaporated to this pitying shell that only wanted to poke fun at other people and wallow in regret. I know that it's hard to move on after a close relative dies, but Cal was 18 and didn't really seem like it. She came across as bratty and bitter, and by the time she purposefully tripped to attempt to injure herself so as not to go to Europe, I was done with this.
Kate Hattemer seems to be a good writer (there were some funny parts here, like Jesse stealing butter from a cafe through a crab walk and some of the dialogue), and I have high hopes with her debut novel (which has received five starred reviews), but her second book just felt overwritten for a story that would probably hit harder if we felt more of a connection to our characters aside from Jesse. The lukewarm reception this has gotten from other reviewers also shows that this book took a swing but missed. Let's hope that Hattemer's debut turns out better.
The Land of 10,000 Madonnas had an interesting premise (a road trip through Europe in order to fulfill a dead cousin's wishes sounds incredibly fun, scary, and exhilarating, if you ask me), but it was bogged down by overly-descriptive writing and a self-wallowing protagonist that drove me absolutely crazy (I don't know how many there are, but the narration is in third-person, so I can assume several). The very beginning didn't even start with the road trip (which it probably shouldn't because that needs build-up), but rather a journal entry from Jesse, the dead cousin who was born with a hole in his chest (or, in medical terms, an atrial septal defect), recounting on a day he spent with his cousin, Cal, in Santa Fe. It was confusing at first but had a nice connection by the end, and I ended up sympathizing with him a far bit because I liked his voice.
However, after that chapter, we have a flash forward with Cal about to graduate high school, receiving the journal and a plane ticket to Europe that Jesse wanted bought for all his cousins. Not only did the narrative switch from first to third, but the flowery narrative style and the dialogue didn't fit well together. I also didn't really like Cal that much. All that spunk she had at 13 evaporated to this pitying shell that only wanted to poke fun at other people and wallow in regret. I know that it's hard to move on after a close relative dies, but Cal was 18 and didn't really seem like it. She came across as bratty and bitter, and by the time she purposefully tripped to attempt to injure herself so as not to go to Europe, I was done with this.
Kate Hattemer seems to be a good writer (there were some funny parts here, like Jesse stealing butter from a cafe through a crab walk and some of the dialogue), and I have high hopes with her debut novel (which has received five starred reviews), but her second book just felt overwritten for a story that would probably hit harder if we felt more of a connection to our characters aside from Jesse. The lukewarm reception this has gotten from other reviewers also shows that this book took a swing but missed. Let's hope that Hattemer's debut turns out better.
July 8, 2016
I went into this book thinking that it would be a light contemporary about a couple of kids who were going on a journey who were all connected to one guy named Jesse. Other than that, I knew nothing about the book. Sometimes going in blind is really fun! I started the book, and thought that it was okay, so I decided to give it a little longer to prove its’ worth. It ended up getting better within the next 20 pages or so. At that point I was far enough in the book that I decided officially not to DNF it.
After all, I thought it was just a book that had a slow start but would eventually get better. I was wrong. A couple of pages later, it went downhill again. I started wishing that I had DNFed the book, but I was far enough along at this point that I wanted to find out the ending. I didn't relate to any of the characters whatsoever. They were all pretty flat and 1 dimensional, which is never fun. They rarely ever surprised me, which got very boring.
Unfortunately nothing stood out to me about this book. Nothing. It was just boring and annoying. Overall I give this book 1.5 stars. I do not recommend this book.
After all, I thought it was just a book that had a slow start but would eventually get better. I was wrong. A couple of pages later, it went downhill again. I started wishing that I had DNFed the book, but I was far enough along at this point that I wanted to find out the ending. I didn't relate to any of the characters whatsoever. They were all pretty flat and 1 dimensional, which is never fun. They rarely ever surprised me, which got very boring.
Unfortunately nothing stood out to me about this book. Nothing. It was just boring and annoying. Overall I give this book 1.5 stars. I do not recommend this book.
May 5, 2016
This book has such a great premise, that unfortunately just didn't connect with me. I really wanted to like this book too.
Read my FULL REVIEW here http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2016/0...
Read my FULL REVIEW here http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2016/0...
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September 7, 2016I liked this story in the end, although it took me a long time to get into it. I'm interested in grief journeys and this one shared many. Sometimes the switching of POV pulled me out of the story though. And I'm not sure all the arcs were necessary. But overall, I liked it.
August 10, 2016
I understand what this book was trying to do, but it didn't actually accomplish that. Instead you follow a group of bickering kids around Europe and frankly I wasn't really into it.
2 stars.
2 stars.
May 24, 2017
I would have given this book a 3 overall, but I really enjoyed the ending so that bumped it up to a 4 in my books! A story about grief, friendship, family, travel and love!
September 28, 2017
2.5 star read
Full review here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
I was really excited when I received this book to read because the premise sounded like a great read and the cover looked amazing. The cover and blurb makes the story seem like it will be similar to Morgan Matson’s Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour or Adi Alsaid’s Let’s Get Lost, but I am sorry to report that is not the case at all. I felt very let down by this story.
This is the story of Jesse, who has died at a young age of a heart condition, sending his best friend, his girlfriend, and three cousins on an all-expenses paid trip through Europe. It starts out as a mystery as to why Jesse used his college fund to pay for this trip, but it is because he unfortunately passed away. He left a handwritten journal with entries and clues for everyone and they are to take this trip to figure out Jesse’s end goal. These five people are closes to Jesse and all are dealing with his death differently and this trip is to bring them closer together and help them deal with the death of a loved one.
Sounds sweet and endearing, right? I had a tough time remembering the reason for the story because I struggled to connect with any of the characters and found myself not caring. Sure, they were all grieving in their own way over the loss of someone dear to them, but most of them were rude and standoffish. Jesse’s cousin that he was closest to, Cal, was a serious B and I just did not like her. She was very selfish and saw this trip not as a gift but as a burden. The others seemed to forget why they were going and saw it as a free trip to Europe. Jesse was the only character that my heart went out to and he was not even alive during the book.
The story started out very slow and did not ramp up quickly at all. I did not find the trip to be that exciting or mysterious, rather a series of events placed together. This author’s writing was just not my style as I felt it jumped all over and it made it difficult to follow what was going on. I know I may be the black sheep with this book and be on the one person who did not rate it high, but this just did not work for me. That is why I rated this book 2 out of 5 stars.
Full review here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
I was really excited when I received this book to read because the premise sounded like a great read and the cover looked amazing. The cover and blurb makes the story seem like it will be similar to Morgan Matson’s Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour or Adi Alsaid’s Let’s Get Lost, but I am sorry to report that is not the case at all. I felt very let down by this story.
This is the story of Jesse, who has died at a young age of a heart condition, sending his best friend, his girlfriend, and three cousins on an all-expenses paid trip through Europe. It starts out as a mystery as to why Jesse used his college fund to pay for this trip, but it is because he unfortunately passed away. He left a handwritten journal with entries and clues for everyone and they are to take this trip to figure out Jesse’s end goal. These five people are closes to Jesse and all are dealing with his death differently and this trip is to bring them closer together and help them deal with the death of a loved one.
Sounds sweet and endearing, right? I had a tough time remembering the reason for the story because I struggled to connect with any of the characters and found myself not caring. Sure, they were all grieving in their own way over the loss of someone dear to them, but most of them were rude and standoffish. Jesse’s cousin that he was closest to, Cal, was a serious B and I just did not like her. She was very selfish and saw this trip not as a gift but as a burden. The others seemed to forget why they were going and saw it as a free trip to Europe. Jesse was the only character that my heart went out to and he was not even alive during the book.
The story started out very slow and did not ramp up quickly at all. I did not find the trip to be that exciting or mysterious, rather a series of events placed together. This author’s writing was just not my style as I felt it jumped all over and it made it difficult to follow what was going on. I know I may be the black sheep with this book and be on the one person who did not rate it high, but this just did not work for me. That is why I rated this book 2 out of 5 stars.
December 1, 2016
Jesse Serrano is just an average boy who has a liking in playing the game "Would you rather." It's notice at a young age that Jesse has a hole in his heart and does not have that long to live. He's written this journal of his thoughts and feelings and gives it to his cousin Cal. Months have past a Jesse has sadly past away. During the summer, brother and sister, Trevor and Cal get an envelope in the mail with the address of where their cousin Jesse used to live. Inside are two plane tickets to Europe. They're not the only ones who got plane tickets, Jesse's best friend Matt and Jesse's girlfriend Lillian, and his other cousin Ben. It's Jesse's plan for all of them to get together and become friends. It's a rough start for the cousins, friend,and girlfriend to get along. When they get to Europe, their only question is, "Why would Jesse send them here?" Their question is soon figured out when Cal hands over the journal Jesse gave her. Jesse wants them to find his mother. His mother left him at a very young age and never returned to him. Jesse told Lillian one day to find his mother and she promised to him she would find her. Now the kids our on the hunt for what looks like a dead end. They want to give up, they really do. No one is getting along, and everyone just wants to go home. Now the question is, did they find his mother?
I thought this book was good but it wasn't my favorite. This book confused me at times because I had know idea what was going on. The characters were hard to get a hold on and the only one I really felt connected to was Cal. Other than not knowing what was going on, the parts I did understand I thought were very good. It made me want to go to Europe with my best friends and see all the sights. I did like that in the end the cousins did somewhat get along and they lived Jesse's dying wish. The book did have a lot of ups and downs but in the end they all somewhat smoothed out.
I would suggest this book to readers who really like to question throughout the book. The book had adventure to it, and arguments throughout the cousins. If you really get into a sense of adventure and the characters learning to find themselves. The book was good but it didn't wow me.
I thought this book was good but it wasn't my favorite. This book confused me at times because I had know idea what was going on. The characters were hard to get a hold on and the only one I really felt connected to was Cal. Other than not knowing what was going on, the parts I did understand I thought were very good. It made me want to go to Europe with my best friends and see all the sights. I did like that in the end the cousins did somewhat get along and they lived Jesse's dying wish. The book did have a lot of ups and downs but in the end they all somewhat smoothed out.
I would suggest this book to readers who really like to question throughout the book. The book had adventure to it, and arguments throughout the cousins. If you really get into a sense of adventure and the characters learning to find themselves. The book was good but it didn't wow me.
March 8, 2016
If I thought I loved Kate Hattemer already, after reading The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy, I had no idea how deep I was about to fall in love when I picked up The Land of 10,000 Madonnas. This book is a tour-de-force. It’s funny - nay, hilarious; it’s interesting - nay, fascinating; and it’s touching - nay, poignant.
CONTINUED AS WRITTEN ON WWW.THEMATHOM-HOUSE.COM
This is one of those books that you NEED to go out and pre-order RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND or you will most certainly live to regret it. If you want a book you can immerse yourself in without a second thought, this is the book for you.
I know that I’m gushing right now, but I can’t help it - that’s how much I adored this book. It’s silly and satisfying and heart-wrenching and life-affirming all at once. Hattemer is absolutely incredible, and this book has it all - backpacking through Europe, a posthumous collection of witty and poignant essays to decipher (called “The Juvenalia”), and a cast of quirky characters who are flawed and fragile, while also being strong and hopeful and fun.
The premise of this book is wonderful - Jesse, the man character, is dead from page one, but he’s left behind a surprise for his best friend, his girlfriend, and his three cousins - an all-expenses paid trip to Europe (paid for out of his college fund). Some of them are keen to take the trip and some are reluctant, but they all have one thing in common - they’re all learning how to process the death of their loved one, and they’re not coping very well. Throughout the book you follow them on their quest, discovering more about Jesse and their relationships with him, as well as how they all choose to deal with existing in a world that no longer includes him. Their stories intertwine through him, as you watch him bring them together from beyond the pale, helping them to find strength in one another’s stories and realize how to move forward through the darkness.
It’s just the right amount of quirky; full of Kate Hattemer’s signature charm and wit, and it’ll leave you teary-eyed and grinning from ear to ear.
Rating: 5/5 stars
CONTINUED AS WRITTEN ON WWW.THEMATHOM-HOUSE.COM
This is one of those books that you NEED to go out and pre-order RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND or you will most certainly live to regret it. If you want a book you can immerse yourself in without a second thought, this is the book for you.
I know that I’m gushing right now, but I can’t help it - that’s how much I adored this book. It’s silly and satisfying and heart-wrenching and life-affirming all at once. Hattemer is absolutely incredible, and this book has it all - backpacking through Europe, a posthumous collection of witty and poignant essays to decipher (called “The Juvenalia”), and a cast of quirky characters who are flawed and fragile, while also being strong and hopeful and fun.
The premise of this book is wonderful - Jesse, the man character, is dead from page one, but he’s left behind a surprise for his best friend, his girlfriend, and his three cousins - an all-expenses paid trip to Europe (paid for out of his college fund). Some of them are keen to take the trip and some are reluctant, but they all have one thing in common - they’re all learning how to process the death of their loved one, and they’re not coping very well. Throughout the book you follow them on their quest, discovering more about Jesse and their relationships with him, as well as how they all choose to deal with existing in a world that no longer includes him. Their stories intertwine through him, as you watch him bring them together from beyond the pale, helping them to find strength in one another’s stories and realize how to move forward through the darkness.
It’s just the right amount of quirky; full of Kate Hattemer’s signature charm and wit, and it’ll leave you teary-eyed and grinning from ear to ear.
Rating: 5/5 stars
April 14, 2016
Grief is a well-worn path in YA, and The Land of 10,000 Madonnas travels it ably. Jesse knew that the hole in his heart would cut his life short and in a final wish, he gives a group made up of his cousins, his best friend, and his girlfriend a quest that involves a trip to Europe and a seemingly impossible task. Although they don’t all know each other, or even like each other, they must find a way to travel to Europe to fulfill Jesse’s wish and to say one more goodbye, each in their own way. Motherhood plays a very important role in this story, or at least the idealistic idea of motherhood, through the many representations of Mary that are referenced throughout the book. It was interesting the way the different depictions of Mary were described and discussed by the characters. The details and conversations about art and art history were truly fascinating and although I am no expert, I enjoyed that part of the book very much.
Jesse is gone, but we still hear his voice and get to know him through the notebooks he left to one of his cousins. His memory and presence is still very much with the group. In their own way, they each think back on their relationship with him and even if they don’t say it out loud, it means something different to each of them. As you would imagine, there are accidents and mishaps during their travels that make the story entertaining and even hilarious, at times. Since we get to peek into the head of each character, I really felt like I knew this group of people and that made the story more meaningful for me. I cared about all of the characters and I wanted them to find the answers they were looking for, not just for Jesse, but for themselves, too. The Land of 10,000 Madonnas was unique and beautifully written. It was about the processing of grief, yes, but it also illustrated how hard it can be to embrace the life you have when you miss someone. It was a book that kept me thinking long after I finished reading it and it definitely deserves a spot on your reading list.
Jesse is gone, but we still hear his voice and get to know him through the notebooks he left to one of his cousins. His memory and presence is still very much with the group. In their own way, they each think back on their relationship with him and even if they don’t say it out loud, it means something different to each of them. As you would imagine, there are accidents and mishaps during their travels that make the story entertaining and even hilarious, at times. Since we get to peek into the head of each character, I really felt like I knew this group of people and that made the story more meaningful for me. I cared about all of the characters and I wanted them to find the answers they were looking for, not just for Jesse, but for themselves, too. The Land of 10,000 Madonnas was unique and beautifully written. It was about the processing of grief, yes, but it also illustrated how hard it can be to embrace the life you have when you miss someone. It was a book that kept me thinking long after I finished reading it and it definitely deserves a spot on your reading list.
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April 8, 2025This review was originally posted on Bookish Things & More Review
I loved Hattemer's writing. It is gorgeous. Her words flow together, and you get wrapped up in them, and don't realize how much time has gone by. The way she writes emotion is amazing. You can feel the words as you read them.
I really enjoyed the trip aspect of this book. Going on a quest to find someone. But maybe they can find each other by the end. They experience all these things that they would have loved to experience with Jesse, but sometimes that's not how things work out. Sometimes you have only those with you to lean on, and the memory of a loved one is a great thing even if they can't be there.
I had a love/hate relationship with the characters. A lot of the time they are almost unlikable. They have ways they respond to problems that had me puzzled, and they seemed so selfish at times. This was usually Lillian and Cal. They are guarded and don't want to share their experiences and times with Jesse. Ben needs to learn to let go of control. He doesn't have to be the grown up all the time. He should sit back and enjoy the moment. Trevor needs to grow up a little. But I loved his carefree attitude. He takes everything as it comes and tries to bring out the positives in any situation. Matt... all I hope for his is that he realizes who he is, and doesn't let fear keep him in it's grip.
Even though I didn't click with the characters at all times, I found times where I adored them. Coping with loss takes a different form in each and every person, and we come through it in our own way.
Favorite Quotes
I loved Hattemer's writing. It is gorgeous. Her words flow together, and you get wrapped up in them, and don't realize how much time has gone by. The way she writes emotion is amazing. You can feel the words as you read them.
I really enjoyed the trip aspect of this book. Going on a quest to find someone. But maybe they can find each other by the end. They experience all these things that they would have loved to experience with Jesse, but sometimes that's not how things work out. Sometimes you have only those with you to lean on, and the memory of a loved one is a great thing even if they can't be there.
I had a love/hate relationship with the characters. A lot of the time they are almost unlikable. They have ways they respond to problems that had me puzzled, and they seemed so selfish at times. This was usually Lillian and Cal. They are guarded and don't want to share their experiences and times with Jesse. Ben needs to learn to let go of control. He doesn't have to be the grown up all the time. He should sit back and enjoy the moment. Trevor needs to grow up a little. But I loved his carefree attitude. He takes everything as it comes and tries to bring out the positives in any situation. Matt... all I hope for his is that he realizes who he is, and doesn't let fear keep him in it's grip.
Even though I didn't click with the characters at all times, I found times where I adored them. Coping with loss takes a different form in each and every person, and we come through it in our own way.
Favorite Quotes
April 20, 2016
Books are a great resource to go places we are most likely not to go. They take us across the world on an adventure with the protagonist. I’m a sucker for travel books. The Land of 10,000 Madonnas is one of those books.
Jesse Serrano dies young from a heart condition and leaves expense paid trips through Europe for his friends. The mystery to why he did this is left in clues of Jesse’s handwritten journal for everyone anthey are to take this trip to figure out Jesse’s end goal. But also to help them cope with his death.
I loved the multiple view points and the short flashbacks. I was happy to get into each character’s head. I didn’t really like some of the characters because a few annoyed me. Lillian and Cal seemed so selfish acting like this trip was a burden. I just wanted to slap them. Their friend just died! They seemed to forget it was all for Jesse, who by far was my favorite character. We still get to know him through his journals, which is a great way to access that knowledge for the reader. It was intriguing. I did love the fact we were given a chance to know each character and their connection with Jesse. Each one had a different experience but in the end they were drawn together by their grief.
Hattemer did a wonderful job at inserting the reader into a vivid descriptive trip. There were humorous parts to keep the story lighthearted and emotional parts on loss to connect with the characters.
Should you read it? Yes! A wonderful story of 3 friends dealing with grief that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Jesse Serrano dies young from a heart condition and leaves expense paid trips through Europe for his friends. The mystery to why he did this is left in clues of Jesse’s handwritten journal for everyone anthey are to take this trip to figure out Jesse’s end goal. But also to help them cope with his death.
I loved the multiple view points and the short flashbacks. I was happy to get into each character’s head. I didn’t really like some of the characters because a few annoyed me. Lillian and Cal seemed so selfish acting like this trip was a burden. I just wanted to slap them. Their friend just died! They seemed to forget it was all for Jesse, who by far was my favorite character. We still get to know him through his journals, which is a great way to access that knowledge for the reader. It was intriguing. I did love the fact we were given a chance to know each character and their connection with Jesse. Each one had a different experience but in the end they were drawn together by their grief.
Hattemer did a wonderful job at inserting the reader into a vivid descriptive trip. There were humorous parts to keep the story lighthearted and emotional parts on loss to connect with the characters.
Should you read it? Yes! A wonderful story of 3 friends dealing with grief that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking.
June 27, 2016
3.5 stars. Rounded down because the more I think about it, the less it deserves 4 stars.
I still don't know how I feel about this book. Which is making it rather difficult to write a review about this. So, once again, two brief lists:
THINGS I LIKED:
- the settings. I love road trip books, and going through Europe instead of driving through America was a nice change.
- the characters. I'm not sure I actually liked the characters in and of themselves, but they were all so different.
- the quotes. I always love when I read a quote and just think yes. That happened a lot in this book.
- the ending. A perfect resolution.
- challenging the glorification of the absent, both missing and dead. A number of things in this book (the first of which that comes to mind is ) show that just because someone is gone doesn't mean we can or should put them on a pedestal.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the characters' relationships. A bunch of the main characters seemed to hate each other for no particular reason. It all ended up okay, but there just wasn't enough explanation.
- the structure. A lot of times, the narrative would skip over something important, and then go back and talk about it on the next page. It's a nice device, but not when it's used every other chapter.
- a lot of things just didn't sit right with me. And I can't put my finger on why, and that's bothering me.
I still don't know how I feel about this book. Which is making it rather difficult to write a review about this. So, once again, two brief lists:
THINGS I LIKED:
- the settings. I love road trip books, and going through Europe instead of driving through America was a nice change.
- the characters. I'm not sure I actually liked the characters in and of themselves, but they were all so different.
- the quotes. I always love when I read a quote and just think yes. That happened a lot in this book.
- the ending. A perfect resolution.
- challenging the glorification of the absent, both missing and dead. A number of things in this book (the first of which that comes to mind is ) show that just because someone is gone doesn't mean we can or should put them on a pedestal.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the characters' relationships. A bunch of the main characters seemed to hate each other for no particular reason. It all ended up okay, but there just wasn't enough explanation.
- the structure. A lot of times, the narrative would skip over something important, and then go back and talk about it on the next page. It's a nice device, but not when it's used every other chapter.
- a lot of things just didn't sit right with me. And I can't put my finger on why, and that's bothering me.
September 8, 2016
I was drawn to The Land of 10,000 Madonnas by the cover and the European trip aspect, I wasn’t expecting such beautiful writing. Kate Hattemer certainly has a way with words.
The Land of 10,000 Madonnas is told from alternating points of view. All the characters were very unique. They all had their own set of problems to deal with. They were a tiny bit infuriating at times. I’m not usually a fan of alternating perspectives but it works in this book. I didn’t feel a ton of connection with the characters but I did find them all interesting.
The travel aspects of the story were fantastic. They found themselves in some locations I haven’t read about very much. Their journey brings them closer together, even if that’s not exactly what they wanted.
Kate Hattemer’s writing was my absolute favorite part. She writes with such emotion and eloquence. It’s so easy to feel her words. I can’t wait to read more books by her.
The Land of 10,000 Madonnas is told from alternating points of view. All the characters were very unique. They all had their own set of problems to deal with. They were a tiny bit infuriating at times. I’m not usually a fan of alternating perspectives but it works in this book. I didn’t feel a ton of connection with the characters but I did find them all interesting.
The travel aspects of the story were fantastic. They found themselves in some locations I haven’t read about very much. Their journey brings them closer together, even if that’s not exactly what they wanted.
Kate Hattemer’s writing was my absolute favorite part. She writes with such emotion and eloquence. It’s so easy to feel her words. I can’t wait to read more books by her.
June 13, 2018
This book wasn't what I expected and that kind of disappointed me. I was really excited to have this really awesome road trip book that showed how all the character got to heal and get a sense of closure but that wasn't what I got.
The 5 main characters of this book were sent on this trip to find Jesse's mother. It was he dying wish. He gave them not much information and it was an impossible task and all of the characters were getting caught up in this hunt that nothing was really happening.
Also, all of the characters had some problem that was a secret. Something that most of them didn't confront. We, as the reader, only got to know about them because every character had POV chapters.
I just found this book to be confusing.
I did enjoy all the scenery and some of the humor was quite funny.
The 5 main characters of this book were sent on this trip to find Jesse's mother. It was he dying wish. He gave them not much information and it was an impossible task and all of the characters were getting caught up in this hunt that nothing was really happening.
Also, all of the characters had some problem that was a secret. Something that most of them didn't confront. We, as the reader, only got to know about them because every character had POV chapters.
I just found this book to be confusing.
I did enjoy all the scenery and some of the humor was quite funny.
April 13, 2016
I thought the premise of this had great potential to be a perfect summer read, but it didn't meet expectations. The multiple viewpoints and short, weird flashbacks just didn't work for me. The most interesting character to me was the one that was already dead - I wish we had heard more of his story. My favorite thing ever was a made-up website called "Plagueslist" - like Craigslist, but for people with unknown diseases. Clever and hilarious and I wish we had seen more ideas like this throughout the story.
December 21, 2017
DNF @ page 150
I was so excited for this book but it was so disappointing, I don't even know what to rate it. Essentially, jesse is sick and dies, but before that he buys his fairness tickets to Europe with a notebook. He's that character who's deep because no one else understands his struggle. His friends go to Europe, argue literally all the time! And whenever any interesting conversation comes up, IT TURNS INTO A FLASHBACK ARH! so yeah, not enjoying it, not going to finish it.
I was so excited for this book but it was so disappointing, I don't even know what to rate it. Essentially, jesse is sick and dies, but before that he buys his fairness tickets to Europe with a notebook. He's that character who's deep because no one else understands his struggle. His friends go to Europe, argue literally all the time! And whenever any interesting conversation comes up, IT TURNS INTO A FLASHBACK ARH! so yeah, not enjoying it, not going to finish it.
April 16, 2016
2.5 stars
Didn't have the emotional impact I was looking for from these characters. Didn't feel like they connected with each other to give me that friendship-bond. Their adventure through Europe was boring, and they kept getting into the same conversations and arguments that didn't move the plot forward. So much felt like filler.
Didn't have the emotional impact I was looking for from these characters. Didn't feel like they connected with each other to give me that friendship-bond. Their adventure through Europe was boring, and they kept getting into the same conversations and arguments that didn't move the plot forward. So much felt like filler.
April 25, 2016
Meh. Cool premise -- the potential for great characters and a really moving story, but too little about anything coupled with too much going on = an absolutely unengaging read that kind of felt like a chore.
August 5, 2016
I had very high hopes for this book because it checked all my favorite boxes: travel, Europe, going on a sort of scavenger hunt...and it really felt disjointed, I didn't care for the characters, the jumping from perspectives didn't help it. 1.5 stars
August 10, 2016
I loved the premise of this book. So much! Unfortunately the multiple narrators and jumps in time made the narrative feel very disjointed and difficult to follow. I love a book with multiple POVs, but this one almost didn't need it.
December 19, 2017
I really liked this book, for some reason. I think it was because I could relate to the characters really well. There were so many descriptions and so many different places that the friends went to. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 30, 2016
Rating is more like 3.5 stars. I wanted to love this book, but I feel disappointed instead.
June 22, 2018
This was an interesting premise. I expected more after reading her Vigilante Poets... but I'm giving it a 2.75 anyway. My problem with this book is three fold... keep in mind... this is a YA book
1. Way too many literary references that No One but a librarian will get... leaving the reader...me... feeling like a dunce. 2. Way too many multi syllable words that No One will understand.
3.The search for the mother starts out for no reason and then goes no where.
4.the Europe trip is kinda of unbelievable in the sense that the purpose is lame and the fact the the dad didn't have any sense to just tell his son about his mother drive me crazy. But he was a little off, so may be this is fitting.
5. I don't know ANY kids who would go on a trip like this and NOT have more of a good time. I can't believe how many wanted to GO HOME!
... Ok so I can go on but I'll tell you the good stuff .
1. "The Juvenilia" at first was confusing but then turned out to be the best part of the book.
1. Way too many literary references that No One but a librarian will get... leaving the reader...me... feeling like a dunce. 2. Way too many multi syllable words that No One will understand.
3.The search for the mother starts out for no reason and then goes no where.
4.the Europe trip is kinda of unbelievable in the sense that the purpose is lame and the fact the the dad didn't have any sense to just tell his son about his mother drive me crazy. But he was a little off, so may be this is fitting.
5. I don't know ANY kids who would go on a trip like this and NOT have more of a good time. I can't believe how many wanted to GO HOME!
... Ok so I can go on but I'll tell you the good stuff .
1. "The Juvenilia" at first was confusing but then turned out to be the best part of the book.
December 19, 2017
I have a type in literature. I love travelogues. Historic references are something I really enjoy. Books on religion are totally in my wheelhouse as are stories of redemption and becoming the best version of yourself. So, when I heard about a trip to find the mother of a cousin/best friend through Europe, including references to Madonnas, I was already in love with the concept. That was my problem.
This book was the whiny rantings of grieving children. Sure, they got to see the Pieta, but there wasn't much reverences or excitement from 4 of the 5 children. The only one that liked it, while Catholic, was not particularly appreciative of it's religious meaning. And, because they were poorly organized and didn't do the correct research, they never found the mother. Honestly, I hated it.
This book was the whiny rantings of grieving children. Sure, they got to see the Pieta, but there wasn't much reverences or excitement from 4 of the 5 children. The only one that liked it, while Catholic, was not particularly appreciative of it's religious meaning. And, because they were poorly organized and didn't do the correct research, they never found the mother. Honestly, I hated it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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