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The Five Wounds: A Novel
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
Named one of the Most Anticipated Books of 2021 by Oprah Magazine, The Week, The Millions, and Electric Lit. From an award-winning storyteller comes a stunning debut novel about a New Mexican familys extraordinary year of love and sacrifice. Its Holy Week in the small town of Las Penas, New Mexico, and thirty-three-year-old unemployed Amadeo Padilla has been given the part of Jesus in the Good Friday procession. He is preparing feverishly for this role when his fifteen-year-old daughter Angel shows up pregnant on his doorstep and disrupts his plans for personal redemption. With weeks to go until her due date, tough, ebullient Angel has fled her mothers house, setting her life on a startling new path. Vivid, tender, funny, and beautifully rendered, The Five Wounds spans the babys first year as five generations of the Padilla family converge: Amadeos mother, Yolanda, reeling from a recent discovery; Angels mother, Marissa, whom Angel isnt speaking to; and disapproving Tve, Yolandas uncle and keeper of the familys history. Each brings expectations that Amadeo, who often solves his problems with a beer in his hand, doesnt think he can live up to. The Five Wounds is a miraculous debut novel from a writer whose stories have been hailed as legitimate masterpieces (New York Times). Kirstin Valdez Quade conjures characters that will linger long after the final page, bringing to life their struggles to parent children they may not be equipped to save.
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dabbe
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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@AmyG ... what a wonderful birthday gift! I've had this book on my TBR for a while, and now I have it in the flesh to read! 🤩 Thank you for thinking of me; you are a wonderful person and friend. I'll be sending something your way soon! 🩵💙🩵
#LitsyLove

AmyG I just hope you had a wonderful day. 🎉 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🧡🧡🧡 1y
dabbe @AmyG I did. I hibernated indoors with my hubby and pups. He treated me like a queen. Thanks again. 🤩😍🤗 1y
54 likes3 comments
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CBee
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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My review of this book says it all - this is a story of redemption. Amadeo especially redeemed himself throughout the story. Fantastic book!! #themedthursday @dabbe

dabbe Another one to stack! Thanks! 😊💙🤗 2y
34 likes1 comment
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CBee
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

How can I describe this book? It is at its core a novel about redemption. The five wounds refer to those that Jesus suffered during his crucifixion and play a big part; at the beginning we see a broken man, who truly believes that his embodiment of Jesus during the procession, and even the taking of the nails, will “fix” his mediocre life. He doesn‘t want to do the work and expects something miraculous. What he discovers throughout the book ⬇️

CBee Cont‘d - is that, well, all you need is love. Jesus was love, and Jesus taught love. No grand gestures needed, no self-flagellation. Show those in your life that you love them, not only in words, but in actions. The culture in the book is fascinating - I‘ve read a lot about the penitentes and how important the five wounds are in religious culture. Lots to learn! (edited) 2y
CBee We also see the other characters coming into their own, taking responsibility, the child becomes the parent….. it just encompasses so much and I loved it. 2y
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CBee @AmyG you‘d love this one! 2y
AmyG Ooooo stacked! 2y
CBee This is also my #doublespin, @TheAromaofBooks 😊 2y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 2y
Tamra Really intriguing! 2y
CBee @TheAromaofBooks thank you! 2y
CBee @Tamra I highly recommend it!! 2y
61 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Amiable
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Look at this gorgeous package from @monalyisha for participating in #NYWD22! It‘s so lovely that I didn‘t want to open it.
But of course I did. Thank you so much, Alyshia! 🙂

monalyisha I'm so glad it arrived quickly and safely! 3y
62 likes1 comment
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Jfishtech
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
Pickpick

Interesting

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Cortg
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

I enjoyed listening about the Padillo family. There are three POV‘s; Yolanda, her son Amadeo, and his daughter Angel. Their lives are complicated and honestly, all three of them kinda pissed me off with their choices. At times I thought, are people really this bad at getting through life, then thought, if I was in their situation, would I choose or adult any better? I have empathy for most of the characters, and a final happiness for the Padillo‘s

40 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

The Five Wounds follows a somewhat fractured family as each member is facing a major life change. I started this almost begrudgingly, wanting something lighter after Stephen King, but my loan was running out and it turned out to be a wow (though definitely not light).

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Karkar
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I really enjoyed the different story lines and how the author weaved them together.

Cortg I‘m currently listening to this! I had no idea what to expect but I‘m almost at the half way point and really enjoying it! 3y
Chelleo I was just thinking how much I miss our Litsy Meetups … hope you are well! 3y
Karkar @Chelleo Me too! We have to another one some day! I am well - hope you and yours are too!! 3y
Karkar @Cortg look forward to hearing what you think when you are done! 3y
40 likes4 comments
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Cortg
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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A nice morning to start new audiobook and walk to work! Happy Saturday!

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Reynosa8701
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
Pickpick

I loved this book!

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TheKidUpstairs
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Trying to pick my next digital read, @monalyisha I've got time for one more from your list this month - which of these should I choose?

#NewYearWhoDis #NYWD22

BookBelle84 I really enjoyed Plain Bad Heroines 3y
monalyisha Ah! Such a tough choice! It‘s not the most succinct or streamlined, but I was gonna go with Plain Bad Heroines, too, I think. @erinreads might want to try her hand at convincing you to choose Agatha of Little Neon. I wouldn‘t be mad about it. I know she loved it, too.😅 3y
TheKidUpstairs @monalyisha I'm hoping to read all three at some point, but I'll start with Plain Bad Heroines since that was your first instinct! I did really love her first one, 3y
Kangaj1 Plain Bad Heroines made my top 10 last year! 3y
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vlwelser
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

I'm giving this a pick because the characters in the book annoyed me so much that the writing is obviously that good that the author drew me in enough that I felt things and had opinions about their life choices. This was tough for me to read. The characters are very real.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Cathythoughts I like the sound of the real characters ❤️ stacking 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
41 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Jas16
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Reggie!!! Thank you so much for wonderful presents! Books and chocolate (especially Reese‘s) are my favorite things and you chose three books I am so excited to read. I cannot thank you enough!

AmyG Merry Christmas 🎄 3y
Jas16 @AmyG Merry Christmas! I hope you are having a wonderful day. 3y
Reggie Merry Christmas! 🎄 I hope you enjoy the books. 3y
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batsy Oooh! That Comyns book is so good! Plus Reese's ❤️ 3y
Suet624 I really liked The Five Wounds. I think you will too. 3y
Jas16 @Suet624 I stacked it because of your review. Looking forward to reading it soon. 3y
56 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Amandajoy
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Should I be putting ribbons on presents? Yes, but the hubby is on shift & the puppy is chewing quietly, so I am going to read my book.

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fredthemoose
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 33 year old Amadeo Padilla is living with his mother and trying to find his way when his pregnant 15 year old daughter, Angel comes to live with them. The book follows the family for a year. The characters are really well written—flawed and sometimes making questionable decisions, but I liked and rooted for all of them. Really enjoyed this book.

45 likes1 stack add
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Erinreadsthebooks
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Happy to see The Five Wounds getting some love ❤️ 🧡🖤

Suet624 OH!!! Me too!!! I loved The Five Wounds and you're right - not enough people are talking about it. 3y
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Amandajoy
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Hit the bookstore today and picked up my new #myTBR picks (Five Wounds & Gold Diggers). I also couldn‘t resist picking up TJ Klune‘s new book. And then, because I‘m a sucker, the step kids got a few too. Definitely a good haul!

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Amandajoy
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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My favorite day! New picks from #MyTBR, and as always, they look fabulous!

Erinreadsthebooks Five Wounds is incredible! It does not get enough attention. 3y
Megabooks Gold Diggers was great! 3y
Amandajoy @Erinreadsthebooks I‘m very excited about that one! 3y
Amandajoy @Megabooks it looks really good! 3y
35 likes4 comments
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Karmapen
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
Pickpick

This story was at times excruciating to read, because everyone kept making terrible choices. I felt so much empathy for everyone, it was like holding my heart in my hands as I read. Near the end I really thought I‘d have to throw the book across the room but the ending is actually okay.

Karmapen @Reggie I put this on my list because of you like 5 months ago and finally got around to reading it. You were not kidding about how raw it makes you feel. 3y
Reggie You know what‘s crazy? Is that I never finished it. We had just gone back to work, and we were short staffed but had triple the business. And the book was not the one I needed at the time. I left just as soon as the father started sleeping with her teacher. I don‘t know if I‘ll go back, but I‘m glad you liked it. 3y
Karmapen @Reggie I totally understand. It‘s not a book you can just pick up, and I definitely felt like it stayed with me for days after. 3y
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Suet624
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

A wonderful character driven story of five generations of individuals just trying their best. And sometimes not trying at all. Throughout the book I kept thinking of Luis Alberto Urrea‘s book, House of Broken Angels. In fact, one of the main characters in this book is named Angel and Urrea writes a recommendation for the back of the book. It‘s a long read, but the characters were so close at hand that I didn‘t want it to end.

Suet624 Also, don‘t give up after reading the first couple of chapters. It is a slow start. 3y
Erinreadsthebooks Yes, I LOVE this book!! 3y
BarbaraBB Interesting! I loved House of Broken Angels! 3y
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Suet624 @BarbaraBB I think you‘d like this then. 3y
Suet624 @Erinreadsthebooks oh I‘m so glad! I hadn‘t heard anything about the book going into it. I feel as if people need to be talking about it. 3y
Jas16 I just read the House of Broken Angels so will be stacking this one. 3y
Suet624 @Jas16 Urrea is just a marvelous writer. 3y
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monalyisha
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

I just finished both of these books & they‘re both going on my “Best Of” list(s) for 2021. One is about a teen pregnancy & a reenactment of the Passion play (Christ‘s trial, suffering, & death on the Cross), set in a drug-addled town in New Mexico. But it‘s hopeful & modern & quick, sometimes earnest but more often irreverent — realistic & tender but not irrevocably depressing. Somehow??? The other is a “lesbian time travel subway romance.” 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/3: One Last Stop is about “smart people with bad manners falling in love,” featuring a fully-realized & lovable cast of misfits, jokes that made me laugh out loud, & gorgeous sentences about nectarines. This is my first Casey McQuiston & it won‘t be my last. I‘ve often found romance novels with bright, sharp characters & steamy sex scenes…but very few (maybe none) with language that seems so effortlessly *crafted.* (edited) 3y
monalyisha 2/3: Both novels center upon broken characters who save themselves but who also realize that “you can‘t do that alone.” First impressions of these characters differ greatly. And final impressions, to be honest. But give them time. Both books contain delicate lessons about forgiveness & family. (edited) 3y
monalyisha 3/3: Finally, I‘d like to note that I know that reviewing both of these books together (& then duplicating the review for tracking purposes) is lazy (& maybe a little annoying). But I just got back from vacation and I‘m not ready to work too hard yet. 😅 Apologies. (edited) 3y
50 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Eeberst
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
Pickpick

Wow. Stayed up almost all night last night to finish this one, it‘s absolutely incredible

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keepingupwiththepenguins
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

Don‘t be fooled by the quasi-earnest piousness of the first chapter. The Five Wounds is a drama without the gloss or glamour, just a three-dimensional view of real life. Amadeo really got up my nose – I enjoy an unlikeable character as much as the next girl, but sheesh! – and yet, I couldn‘t help but find myself strangely moved and deeply touched by this family saga. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/new-releases/

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j9brown
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

This was so good. Really excellent. I almost buried it in my shelf because I found the cover kind of off-putting but I'm so glad I flipped it open.

Megabooks Great to hear! I just checked this out from the library. 3y
39 likes1 comment
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Pinta
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

Year in the life of five generations of the Padilla family outside Española, NM. Humor & grace in a family saga with teen mom Angel, baby Connor, father Amadeo, grandmother Yolanda, Tío Tíve. Memorable, well-drawn characters. Pacing feels a little off. Novel expanded from short story. Family love, disappointment, striving, forgiveness. 2021

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AmyL
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

One of my favorite reads so far this year. Beautiful, heart breaking, and honest portrayal of complicated and flawed family relationships. Very much a 5 star read for me!

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Erinreadsthebooks
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

Holy Hell. This book is really phenomenal. I‘m not sure why it isn‘t all over every one of the medias, but this book deserves ALL kinds of the praise, notoriety, and publicity. I read the last few chapters feeling so much emotion for these characters (and with teeny tiny tears in my eyes). Character driven perfection and writing that shines. 🗣🗣🗣I LOVE this book!🤩🏆💯 10/10 would definitely recommend!

squirrelbrain Sounds wonderful - stacked. 4y
Allyneedsbooks Tiny tears??!!! Holy Hell. I have to read this. 😳😂 4y
41 likes9 stack adds2 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Pickpick

Such a beautifully written, empathetic, character-driven story. Looking forward to the Decatur Book Festival virtual event in late June!!!

59 likes1 stack add
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LatrelWhite
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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Barnes&Nobles Bookclub pick for April.

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Erinreadsthebooks
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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A quarter of the way through this one, and it‘s really picking up. I already feel like this library copy might not be enough, and I need a copy of it on my shelves 🤩🙌📚🤓

ErikasMindfulShelf I just got this from the library. 4y
Tamra The blurb is intriguing! 4y
33 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Reggie
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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LeahBergen And it was a HARDBACK. 😆 4y
Cathythoughts Looking forward to your review! It looks interesting & unusual .. 4y
Simona That is the power of books ... book awakes all kinds of emotions. 😂 4y
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CarolynM Valerie wins Christmas😆 4y
Reggie @Caththoughts I‘m taking my time with it but I‘m finding myself putting it down because it almost feels tooo real with the family stuff. It‘s very raw. It‘s good though. 4y
Reggie @CarolynM you know who usually wins X-mad in our family? My mother. She has this horrible need to tell you the sale she got on your gift. Like when I was way younger she got me this tshirt I liked but then she said it was in the clearance at Target and got it for $2. I can‘t help but feel a certain type of way. And she does it to everyone. Lol so it‘s spread around evenly. 4y
ValerieAndBooks It‘s rare that book characters have my name , so I‘m cringing more than usual at this one 😂 4y
67 likes8 comments
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Reggie
The Five Wounds: A Novel | Kirstin Valdez Quade
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I actually picked this up because the people in the book are from a fictional small village outside the town I live in. And this rings true for me. When I first moved to Española 12 years ago my parents gave me the newspaper and the headline in the Rio Grande Sun was 37 dead to overdose since the beginning of the year. It was dated April 1st. The newspapers from back home are more like 4 local youth set to compete in district 4H competition. ??

Reggie It was quite a difference. I have a friend in her late 30‘s from here and more than 40 people from her high school class have died, most from drugs or alcohol. It‘s a sad situation. 4y
TrishB Very sad 😢 4y
CarolynM And governments still want us to belief drugs are a law and order issue rather than a health issue ☹️😩 [...shakes head...] 4y
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Bookzombie That‘s awful. 4y
kspenmoll Breaks my heart. 4y
Suet624 Ugh. This is so sad. 4y
Avanders 😔😢 4y
54 likes2 stack adds7 comments