Reviews

That Girl From Nowhere by Dorothy Koomson

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victory1891's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

aliciagriggs's review against another edition

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2.0

I was so disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book more, as I used to read and enjoy Dorothy Koomson books a lot. I just found it boring, despite the interesting subjects in it. I didn't enjoy the way it was written, the narration or the main character- who annoyed me, a lot.
One of the frustrating things about her was that she was so certain about one thing in one sentence and then the slightest thing happened and she would be so certain not to do to do that after all. Not only this, it was just over the top and with false dramatics throughout that made it tedious for me to read. It was all very "all or nothing"- she felt amazing, and this was the most incredible moment in her life, or she felt like it was the worst day of her life and her world was falling apart.
Overall, I am sadly disappointed by this and shocked I didn't enjoy it, but glad it's over so I can move on to another book.

electricele's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

sarah_mcmullan_nz's review against another edition

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4.0

I’ll confess. I’m not really a pensive chick-lit fan. I love my trashy beach reads – sex and shopping is a great palate cleanser between great classical works and thrillers and memoirs; but those slightly drippy, overly emotional female focussed books that always seems to feature only part of a woman on a cover, usually her feet, with the background out of focus, often dropping something (why is that?) just aren’t my bag.

Guess what the cover of That Girl from Nowhere is?!
BUT having never read Dorothy Koomson, and being game for most things, I gave it a go, and I really enjoyed this book.

The story of an adopted woman of colour into a white British family, and her quest for a genetic identity, whatever that meant, was utterly absorbing. I couldn’t put this down! I was desperate to follow Clemency’s story as she negotiated the tricky path of reconnecting with her birth family while trying to reassure her own family that they were still her real family.

The question of belonging is something that everyone wrestles with; but when the colour of your skin is the polar opposite to those you share a name with, that question seems so much more profound with consequences far more reaching than for those who look alike.

Well written with rich characterisation and beautiful detail, That Girl from Nowhere is the ultimate reminder to judge a book by its cover.

4 Stars

Sarah McMullan
[email protected] @sarahmcmullannz

lennyx's review against another edition

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3.0

Not one of Koomson's best books - not a bad read either, just not interesting enough in the first place with a quite predictable storyline and rather dull until the last third of the book.