I will preface this by asserting that [b:Fruit of the Drunken Tree|36636727|Fruit of the Drunken Tree|Ingrid Rojas Contreras|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511284543l/36636727._SY75_.jpg|58402751] is an amazing book, but if content that includes violent kidnapping, sexual assault, or conscripted child soldiers is something you cannot handle, then allow me to forewarn you right off the bat.

Taking place in Colombia during the 1990s during the height of the search for Pablo Escobar, the setting is a harsh one that is incredibly unkind and unforgiving for any child. It follows the perspective of two girls, one being the sheltered 7-year-old Chula and the teenage Petrona who comes to work for Chula’s family. As the guerillas and paramilitary ravage the landscape, kidnappings occur at an all-time high. This very real fear instills in families a type of paranoia that prevents them from showing kindness to others that they would want to under ordinary circumstances. In times of strife, survival must take precedent over empathy.

Girls do not really get to be girls in this world. The violence and chaos of the time inflict each of these children with trauma that would be overwhelming for any adult. Chula and Petrona each navigate their unfair circumstances, not always making the right choices, but they do their best nonetheless. The one thing I think I loved the most about this novel, is how no character is ever truly judged, at least by the author. Ingrid Rojas Contreras allows her characters to be seen and understood, and I am just really happy I read this book.

Rating: 4.5 stars