The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes is a mother’s love letter to her daughter she abandoned. April Soto is a young mother raising her daughter, Noelle, in an intergenerational home. April’s only refuge is to hide in the bathroom, lock the door, and listen to music. One day, she finds herself spiraling into a deep rage she calls the white hot. The voice in her head tells her to walk away. April decides to buy a one-way ticket to the furthest destination she can afford. Her journey triggers an awakening that will change April and Noelle’s lives forever.
I thought the book had an interesting premise, and I was excited to read it. I found the writing style difficult to get into at times. I felt like the writing was raw and emotional, but sometimes I struggled to understand what the author was trying to convey. I also found the book quite boring. I read more than half of it, and nothing really happened. I don’t have children, so I couldn’t relate to April and her situation, and I didn’t feel invested enough to finish the book. While the book isn’t for me, I can see others enjoying it, but I won’t be reading any more books by the author.
