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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, and it was also enjoyable reading a book set in 90s London.
Also interesting was the take on arts, especially African arts that were booted during colonialism.
However, what dampened this one for me is how the author writes about women. It just reminded me that even some of the most brilliant male writers out there never know how to craft a female character well, without sexualising them — and they always have this obsession with boobs and thighs 🤮
None of the female characters in this book, even when they are brilliant, strong or successful, escaped sexualisation. Not one single scene featuring any of these female characters didn’t have a reference to their physical appearance. That was disappointing.
Also interesting was the take on arts, especially African arts that were booted during colonialism.
However, what dampened this one for me is how the author writes about women. It just reminded me that even some of the most brilliant male writers out there never know how to craft a female character well, without sexualising them — and they always have this obsession with boobs and thighs 🤮
None of the female characters in this book, even when they are brilliant, strong or successful, escaped sexualisation. Not one single scene featuring any of these female characters didn’t have a reference to their physical appearance. That was disappointing.
A proper page turner. A brilliant cast of characters. It was very cinematic to me, each character was cast in my head, the scenes were clear in my mind, and As a visual reader I love a book which can come alive so easily in my mind.
Lots of important meditations on race, class, history, morality - identity is at the heart of this book. It didn’t get my shelterbox vote but I’m glad it won as as always, I wouldn’t usually have gone for this.
Lots of important meditations on race, class, history, morality - identity is at the heart of this book. It didn’t get my shelterbox vote but I’m glad it won as as always, I wouldn’t usually have gone for this.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am not a huge Thriller reader so was great to read. Lots of things I was not expecting. I was fascinated about how art was explored along with identity in this work and how we have different prejudice. I sadly did not connect to the characters which us always what aids my enjoyment. But recommend to people who love a Thriller and the themes above.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Starting with the positives, I found the plot to be compelling and fast paced with lots of interesting developments which made sense within the narrative. I also found the descriptions of the sought after mask in the story to be wonderfully written, giving the object an air of supernatural mystery to it; it appeared almost alive in a simultaneously enchanting and sinister way.
As for the negatives, I HATE the way the women in this novel are written. The constant over sexualisation is cringe inducing and infuriating to read. Additionally, I did not find a single character in this to be remotely likable or engaging. Good thing the plot is so interesting!
As for the negatives, I HATE the way the women in this novel are written. The constant over sexualisation is cringe inducing and infuriating to read. Additionally, I did not find a single character in this to be remotely likable or engaging. Good thing the plot is so interesting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was yet another shelterbox book club read. A book I definitely would not have found without the club! If I'm honest, just over a day ago I did not think I would finish this before the end of the year but the last 200 pages soon changed that
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hm, quite liked the first half. Liked the unexpected shocking moment. Then it didn't really live up to its potential and was a bit disappointing. Struggled with the way the female characters were used, both in terms of the narrative and by the characters.