Reviews

The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

damianwinter's review against another edition

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5.0

Kasienka's voice, depicted through Crossan's poetic style, is nothing short of breathtaking. It carries a rawness that adds an extra layer of authenticity to her story. As a young immigrant, Kasienka faces a multitude of challenges and hardships. From navigating a new country to experiencing heartbreak from her father and grappling with the complexities of first love, her journey is both relatable and heart-wrenching.

Crossan does an exceptional job of addressing the struggles that come with immigration, giving readers a glimpse into the emotional toll it can take on an individual. Through Kasienka's eyes, we witness the longing for a sense of belonging, the cultural clashes, and the determination to carve out a new identity in an unfamiliar land. The author handles these themes with sensitivity and empathy, shedding light on the strength and resilience of immigrants and the power of community and support.

The Weight of Water is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the immigrant experience. Sarah Crossan's masterful use of verse creates a unique and evocative narrative that allows the reader to feel every emotion and experience along with Kasienka. It's a story that reminds us of the universal struggles we all face, regardless of our background or circumstances.

charlie_dws's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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? Yes

3.5

jaimeitw's review against another edition

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3.0

It was really cool. I loved the blue words. First time reading a book written in verse so it was a fun experience. I liked Kasienka's pointed observations of life around her. Though we only know her for a short period of time and through very few words, I felt very much for her. I would say I was pretty invested in the story despite it being so short. I even set aside my usual disdain for insta-romances for some reason. It was cute and adorable. There were just enough sad moments and just enough happy moments, and some moments that confused the heck out of me.
Spoiler like WHY ARE THEY SMOKING WHEN THEY'RE SO YOUNG STOP your lungs, you need them. - end of public service announcment -

maggiebook's review against another edition

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4.0

Earlier this year I read One by Sarah Crossan. It was a 5-star read for me. The book was so full of emotion and beautiful prose that I had to read more from her. I got The Weight of Water and was fearful it wouldn't be able to live up to the amazingness of One. Thankfully my fears were unfounded.

The Weight of Water follows Cassie a 12 year old from Poland who moves to Coventry England with her mother. Her mother is looking for her husband and Cassie's father who abandoned the family and moved to Englund. Cassie is sent to school in Coventry. Speaking broken English and being the new girl, she is very much the outsider. The book deals with her relationship with her distant mother and being ostracized, bullied and eventually finding her place in school.

The plot may not be something new but the way the story is delivered and the voice of Cassie makes this a very special book. Like One this book is written in prose. Within a 40-50 word prose, Sarah Crossan can set a tone, develop characters and emotionally involve the reader which would normally take several chapters to do.

I sat down to read this and did not move until I completed it. The Weight of Water is a beautiful book that you will think about long after you read it. I highly recommend it and feel any other books by the author will be well worth your time.

deepower7's review against another edition

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3.0

A good read, if a tad basic. Maybe being that the protagonist is twelve years old, that was the intention.

bookish_olga's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • 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? No

3.0

Diving into "The Weight of Water" felt like immersing myself in Kasienka's world, a young Polish immigrant facing the turbulent waters of adolescence in a new country. Written in verse, this book took me on a journey through Kasienka's struggles with loneliness, identity, and the search for her missing father.

Initially hesitant about novels in poetic form, I was pleasantly surprised by how deeply I connected with Kasienka's story. The sparse yet evocative language drew me in, painting vivid pictures of her experiences and emotions. As I followed Kasienka's journey, I found myself rooting for her, celebrating her triumphs, and feeling her heartaches.

What truly sets "The Weight of Water" apart is its authenticity. Kasienka's voice is raw and honest, her struggles palpable and relatable. Through her eyes, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.

As someone who loves to delve into the complexities of human experience through literature, I found "The Weight of Water" to be a gem of a book.  "The Weight of Water" is a captivating and beautifully written novel that speaks to the heart. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys immersive storytelling and compelling characters.

maireador20's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad fast-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

5.0

katykelly's review against another edition

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4.0

Worked well in blank verse, reminded me of Cloud Busting (Malorie Blackman) in both theme and style.
A good portrait of an immigrant's viewpoint and that of a victim of bullying. Moving.

aileenfox20's review against another edition

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4.0

I didn’t think I would have liked this book that much but surprisingly I did it was really easy to understand and read and kasienka was a really lovely character and I think it had a lovely end

bsolarz's review against another edition

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4.0

A really cute story carried by poems about a girl suffering in a foreign country and trying to find her way around social status' in England.