Book Review: L.A. Weather by Maria Amparo Escandon

Oscar and Keila have been married almost forty years, but due to Oscar’s obsession with the weather, they may be headed toward divorce.  Their daughters, Claudia, Olivia, and Patricia, are also married, but once they hear about their parents’ impending divorce, they start questioning their own relationships, as well.  The book takes us on a year-long journey as the Alvarados face some big issues.  The reader will likely find themselves, as I did, asking some hard questions: Is my family adequately prepared if I were to become incapacitated?  How am I contributing to the state of the environment? Am I making the most of my life?  Am I a good parent?  A good wife?  Why don’t I cook more authentic Mexican food?  (That last one may just be because I’m hungry.)

Overall, I liked the book. I loved the way Amparo Escandon is not afraid to get political. I enjoyed the transparency of her writing, the wearing of her activist’s heart on her proverbial sleeve. I struggled a bit with the depth of the characters.  The real strength of this novel is in the author herself - her voice, her convictions, her contribution.  Unfortunately, for me, that didn’t quite translate into her characters (with the exception of Oscar) or the story itself.  I liked the characters, but I didn’t connect to them. I didn’t become invested in the outcome of the story, but I hung on every word of the author’s thoughts on climate change, immigration, the L.A. community, and what it means to her to be “a Californian.”  I would love to see some non-fiction work from her, particularly something auto-biographical. 

I recommend the book, as it provides detailed insight into California weather patterns and the disastrous impact of climate change. We need more authors who aren’t afraid to speak the truth and hold us accountable.  This one should be on shelves Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

Thanks to Maria Amparo Escandon, Flatiron Books and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.