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suzieel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Violence
rhibeetle17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping and Domestic abuse
Minor: Murder
deedireads's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
A Spell of Good Things was longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. After reading it, I can see why — it’s right up the Booker’s alley (at least as far as longlisters go). Unfortunately, I personally didn’t really jive with this book.
I definitely understand and respect what the book was doing, which was to show us how class and gender had/have a big impact on the experience of Nigerians and yet ultimately everyone is subject to the devastating impact of a culture of corruption and violence. It absolutely does what it sets out to do, and very effectively.
I just didn’t have a ton of fun getting there, lol. I spent the whole book waiting for something that didn’t happen until the very end, which made me feel frustrated and bored. So just know going in that you’re starting a slow-paced book where the action doesn’t pick up until right about the end. It’s also not an easy read at all (check trigger warnings!).
I’m glad I listened to the audiobook while I read along in print. I’m not sure my ear, untrained in the Yoruba language, would have been able to follow the audiobook alone (at least not anywhere near my usual listening speed), but I always appreciate the chance to hear languages and names and accents presented by a skilled narrator.
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide
sarahwiltshire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
ysabear's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping
simonefk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Its just short of 5 stars for me as I feel it was a slow burner initially with character building then the second half progressed quite quickly meaning it felt a little like two distinct halves but nonetheless I would definitely reccomend this book.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Violence, and Death
junglejelly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While I did mostly enjoy the book, I did find the middle too slow in pace, and the parents' perspectives too jarring. The slow pace and different perspectives affected the flow of the book.
The ending is so haunting and left me
Graphic: Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
Moderate: Child death, Gaslighting, Medical content, Suicide, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
Minor: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Bullying
oz2021's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
balladofreadingqueer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Murder and Kidnapping
stellahadz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
That being said, it's a brilliantly written book. The characters are well fleshed-out, and their stories are gripping, although sometimes hard to read because of how much hardship they face. The beginning of the book dragged a bit for me, but the last 3/4 more than made up for it. Definitely recommend, but only if you're ready for a book to break your heart.
Graphic: Medical content, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit