Scan barcode
rebeccainspace's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is wild, there are so many things happening in the plot. It was very fun to describe everything to others.
I LOVE that everything was answered at the end of the novel. There were so many questions I was worried this wouldn't be the case.
Would probably rate higher but I never felt truly in suspense.
I LOVE that everything was answered at the end of the novel. There were so many questions I was worried this wouldn't be the case.
Would probably rate higher but I never felt truly in suspense.
brimnms's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
lizawall's review against another edition
I liked this book! Recommend for anyone / everyone.
dreamgalaxies's review against another edition
4.0
I have a booktube channel now! Subscribe here.
I really liked this book--more than I thought I would upon embarking on its slow-paced start. The glimmer of magical realism in the first 50 pages kept me going, and amounted to a much more substantial part of the plot than I'd originally imagined.
This is a book about blackness, religion, queerness and all the spaces in between. The ultimate twist felt more convenient and shoehorned in than I'd prefer, but overall this is an excellent first foray into fiction for McKenzie--more ethereal and lovely (yet grounded) than what I'd expect from a first and self-published book. The clear influence of Morrison a la Song of Solomon didn't go unappreciated. I look forward to her future publications.
I really liked this book--more than I thought I would upon embarking on its slow-paced start. The glimmer of magical realism in the first 50 pages kept me going, and amounted to a much more substantial part of the plot than I'd originally imagined.
This is a book about blackness, religion, queerness and all the spaces in between. The ultimate twist felt more convenient and shoehorned in than I'd prefer, but overall this is an excellent first foray into fiction for McKenzie--more ethereal and lovely (yet grounded) than what I'd expect from a first and self-published book. The clear influence of Morrison a la Song of Solomon didn't go unappreciated. I look forward to her future publications.
mellabella's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. It did start off fairly slow. But once the characters developed, and the secrets started coming out... It was hard to put down. Ava, her husband Paul, her mother Regina, father George, and sister Sandra all live in the same house. This has been the family house for many years. The book alternates between the 50's and the 70's (which is the books present time). The family is haunted by the murder of Ava's twin Geo 17 years earlier. They have all been shells of their selves. George and Sandra were not living their true lives before then. George being in the closet. Sandra living in her sisters shadow and invisible to everyone. Then Paul's sister Helena comes looking for him after many years. Her visit is the catalyst for changes in the household. The book deals with grief, repression, racism, and over zealous religious figures... As well as hypocrisy within certain people who deem themselves Christian. It's also a love story and, slightly paranormal. This was her debut and I would love to see if she writes anything else.
ncq's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
i don’t know how to describe this book without flattening it, it’s so rich. the writing is vivid and textured. the characters are real, complex and deep. one of my favourite books of all time, that i reread over and over
bdfarber13's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantastic story. It is gripping and I finished it within a day, although the writing is beautiful, so I tried to slow myself down. McKenzie keeps the suspense going, and I really wanted to know what was going to happen and what had happened. The intense tragedies in the lives of her characters felt a little bit much (which is funny considering Ava's character), but the characters were so real and rich, that I really felt empathy and love for all of them in spite of their flaws and messiness. Ava is particularly interesting, and I'm still uncertain how I felt about her. Highly recommend this.
megatsunami's review against another edition
4.0
Hard to put down. Powerful narrative. Wonderful descriptive writing that conveyed amazing depth and nuance without needing to use a lot of fancy language. Devastating description of the ways historical and personal trauma affect individuals, families, and communities.
I agree with another reviewer that there were a few places where some editing would have tightened up the narrative. Also, I did not find all the characters believable all the time. I found Ava's sister more believable and interesting than Ava herself. And Ava's sister-in-law, whose presence provides a catalyst for change in the family, seemed mainly to be a plot device more than an actual person.
I agree with another reviewer that there were a few places where some editing would have tightened up the narrative. Also, I did not find all the characters believable all the time. I found Ava's sister more believable and interesting than Ava herself. And Ava's sister-in-law, whose presence provides a catalyst for change in the family, seemed mainly to be a plot device more than an actual person.
elizabethaf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5