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orchardoriole's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
clarereadstheworld's review
3.5
Before I started reading around the world I completely underestimated short stories as a genre. But the more collections of short stories I read, the more I grow to love them, and On Heroes, Lizards and Passion is not an exception. This is a beautiful collection, which vividly recreates life in Belize, and for Belizean immigrants abroad.
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There are 7 stories in this lovely collection, some characters pop up in more than one story but they're mainly independent, exploring a real cross section of the population. Each story focuses on a unique element of Belizean culture, from the disillusioned priest who becomes a teacher in a rural village, to the poor Belizean woman living abroad working as a home help for a wealthy American while trying to send money home to support her family, life in Belize
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I really enjoyed the writing style of Zoila Ellis, although these were only short stories, they were very moving, and I felt moved by each story. It was lovely learning a little more about the life and culture in Belize.
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I absolutely recommend this book, it's small and short, but absolutely lovely.
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There are 7 stories in this lovely collection, some characters pop up in more than one story but they're mainly independent, exploring a real cross section of the population. Each story focuses on a unique element of Belizean culture, from the disillusioned priest who becomes a teacher in a rural village, to the poor Belizean woman living abroad working as a home help for a wealthy American while trying to send money home to support her family, life in Belize
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I really enjoyed the writing style of Zoila Ellis, although these were only short stories, they were very moving, and I felt moved by each story. It was lovely learning a little more about the life and culture in Belize.
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I absolutely recommend this book, it's small and short, but absolutely lovely.
rhodaj's review
3.0
This was my read the world selection for Belize.
This was a collection of short stories, but I would call them more like little snapshots of life in Belize. To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of short stories, as I often feel like it takes a little while to get into the ‘groove’ of a story and then it’s finished!
These were enjoyable enough stories that gave the reader some idea of Belizean culture, but none really stood out as being exceptional or must read stories.
The last story about the ‘hero’ was probably the best one and was quite humorous, but overall the book was just ok. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a collection of short stories, but I would call them more like little snapshots of life in Belize. To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of short stories, as I often feel like it takes a little while to get into the ‘groove’ of a story and then it’s finished!
These were enjoyable enough stories that gave the reader some idea of Belizean culture, but none really stood out as being exceptional or must read stories.
The last story about the ‘hero’ was probably the best one and was quite humorous, but overall the book was just ok. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
cocoonofbooks's review
3.0
It's a little bit generous to call these short stories, as stories generally contain some sort of narrative arc, with a climax or reveal. That doesn't mean they're bad, but it makes sense that these seven are grouped together, as none of them would really stand alone. Although there's no connection between the stories, each one is a snapshot of Belizean life, whether from the perspective of a Belizean immigrant in New York City or from the imagined point of view of the lizards who live out in the countryside. The writing was a bit weak, and the editing was atrocious, but it was an interesting read overall.
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