Reviews

Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor

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tashva's review

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challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

noemi_sc's review against another edition

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reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bccoulter's review

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5.0

An entirely new take on the "coming of age in a dysfunctional family" genre. Her use of magic realism is artful - on par w/ masters like Rushdie. Both an indictment and a compassionate treatment of the broken parent. Wonderfully painted characters and a strong story. I loved it.

njw13's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

oknicky's review

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4.0

I have an old daydream about starting a bibliotherapy practice with my friend, poet J R Tappenden. This book will surely be on the shelf. It is strong medicine for women who sometimes fall into "the land down under."

Things They Lost is a powerful, puzzle-box novel chock-full of tiny pleasures amidst old violence and trauma. Repetition of language. Delicious food. Plants and animals. A chorus of townspeople. Magical found bits of trash, buried and cataloged. Moments of deep kindness.

Would pair well with "Drive your plow over the bones of the dead" by Olga Tokarczuk.

pixiebell_reads87's review

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5.0

I didn't know what to expect with this one. This was just spectacular. Impossibly sad in parts, hopeful and uplifting in others. Beautiful writing. Complex characters. Magical yet terrifying at times. This story will stay with me awhile yet!