Reviews with content warning for Death - Island of a Thousand Mirrors

I didn't care for this book from the beginning because it wasn't cohesive. There were too many people introduced too quickly, and it was hard to become invested as a result. By the end, it became more cohesive; however, that was when there was gratuitous violence. I've read plenty of books with difficult content, and I realize this book was about a war, but it was still fucking horrific.

On the plus side, I liked learning more about Sri Lanka and that part of history.

Content Warnings

abbie_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

I read Island of a Thousand Mirrors over the weekend and it was a super moving and illuminating read for me. I barely knew anything about the 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka, which came to a bloody end in 2009 (I was only 14 and not particularly aware of world events beyond my tiny corner of the UK - ever thankful for books for expanding my world view).

The book looks at both sides of the war through the eyes of two young women who have very different experiences. One is Sinhalese and born to a middle-class family who eventually move to the US to flee the violence, the other is Tamil and dreams of being a teacher before a horrific incident pulls her into the very heart of the violence.

That it’s a difficult read is no surprise given the main themes - the brutality and futility of war, which no one can ever truly escape. Munaweera explores both sides really well, your heart aches for both Yasodhara and Saraswathi. She also touches on topics like colourism and the way senseless prejudice is passed down through children, taught to hate former playmates by parents, perpetuating the cycle of discrimination endlessly.

I liked the style, but some parts felt more evocative than others (omg the way she describes food - don’t read this book on an empty stomach!). I would like to read her later novel because I imagine her style has only got better with time!

Content Warnings

themshelves's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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