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walium's review against another edition
dark
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
mseager's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
willowbug9400's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
dnietoperafan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Bernardine Evaristo is one of my favourite authors... and she smashed it with this novel. It has the perfect balance between humour and seriousness. Evaristo doesn't shy away from important topics to be discussed, and I'm glad she adds her literary touch to them.
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone.
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Trafficking, Murder, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child abuse, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
nikzzz3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, and Sexual violence
noemi_sc's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think the premises of the book were great - the idea that the history of slavery could have gone in the complete opposite way and absolutely nothing would have been different, meaning that deep down human beings are just inherently flawed in their desire to oppress others regardless of race, gender, etc. - but the execution was somehow lacking for me. I did enjoy the humour/irony/sarcasm/cinism, however I found it a bit emotionally dry in certain points and I felt like the point of the book wasn't really coming across in the way the author was perhaps meaning to. I also found the timeline of events and spacial developments a bit confusing.
There were some points where the story reminded me of "The Power" by Naomi Alderman, but without that underlying rage and sense of injustice that history went in a certain way while it could have easily gone the opposite.
There were some points where the story reminded me of "The Power" by Naomi Alderman, but without that underlying rage and sense of injustice that history went in a certain way while it could have easily gone the opposite.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Nearer 3.5 stars really.
This was a little like the idea behind 'Noughts and Crosses': the subversion of history to make a point and shock.
Slavery happened, but to the white races. Great idea. Gets the attention. The plot involves Doris, stolen from her home in England and taken away to work as a slave for a master. We hear from her master as well as herself, and see the effects of slavery on those forced into it.
And there are good ideas here, I just didn't feel it always worked. The anachronisms just jarred and didn't make sense (why are corsets and britches alongside skateboards and Glamazons?! I didn't see the point). Especially as the epilogue describes what happens to the descendants of the characters in 'the twentieth century'.
Novels about slavery are powerful enough I'd just written well. YA read Chains is excellent, as is The Long Song and others. It felt as though once the shock factor melted away it was 'just' another slave story with nothing else new to add.
That's not to say it's without merit. I did enough listening to the audiobook of it, and think this helped with what other reviewers call annoying slave patois.
This is a good one to try if you're interested in original stories about slavery, but less if you're concerned with historical accuracy :)
This was a little like the idea behind 'Noughts and Crosses': the subversion of history to make a point and shock.
Slavery happened, but to the white races. Great idea. Gets the attention. The plot involves Doris, stolen from her home in England and taken away to work as a slave for a master. We hear from her master as well as herself, and see the effects of slavery on those forced into it.
And there are good ideas here, I just didn't feel it always worked. The anachronisms just jarred and didn't make sense (why are corsets and britches alongside skateboards and Glamazons?! I didn't see the point). Especially as the epilogue describes what happens to the descendants of the characters in 'the twentieth century'.
Novels about slavery are powerful enough I'd just written well. YA read Chains is excellent, as is The Long Song and others. It felt as though once the shock factor melted away it was 'just' another slave story with nothing else new to add.
That's not to say it's without merit. I did enough listening to the audiobook of it, and think this helped with what other reviewers call annoying slave patois.
This is a good one to try if you're interested in original stories about slavery, but less if you're concerned with historical accuracy :)
rhianh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.0
kariah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0