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shannon_shields's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nellyycurrie's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Ok, but didn’t love it. None of the characters are loveable, and some of the plot lines are just random and go nowhere, it seems as though she tries to bring them together, e.g., linking Levi’s arc with Zora’s, Zora’s with Howard’s, Howard’s with Jerome’s - but some of them miss.
rjphilander's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melc's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.5
hannahdane's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
groovygirl's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book but unfortunately it did not hit the mark for me.
Zadie Smith writes beautifully and the book has some really great insights. However, I didn’t love how we saw everything from everyone’s perspective, even outside the Beasley family. I know that perspective is the point of the book but there were just too many characters, I would prefer a narrowing in, because the overflow of characters seemed to limit the plot.
PS: I hate Howard and his chapters, what a snooze fest
Zadie Smith writes beautifully and the book has some really great insights. However, I didn’t love how we saw everything from everyone’s perspective, even outside the Beasley family. I know that perspective is the point of the book but there were just too many characters, I would prefer a narrowing in, because the overflow of characters seemed to limit the plot.
PS: I hate Howard and his chapters, what a snooze fest
khaliah's review
2.0
I really like Zadie Smith. I especially loved White Teeth. But this book disappointed me. I was never able to get a hold on the characters and therefore I was never able to feel any sympathy for them.
marie5952's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
staircase_wit's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75