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oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
Super detailed with really good dialogue, but ultimately I was waiting for something to *happen*. Particularly towards the end of the book. Like this toy helicopter that was described across several pages, it never managed to achieve lift off.
tricia1960's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sasinshort's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.25
madmart17's review against another edition
Oof. This was hard. I was looking forward to some sort of epic family convergence story, but the structure of the book made it all feel very disconnected and heartless to me. If you’re going to have section dedicated to each character, I would rather have the story be told exclusively from their perspective. I was unmotivated to finish and confused when I did pick it up.
reiding's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
lellowgreen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
ktaylorhurley's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how to rate this book. It was ambitious-- both in the writing and in the reading. It was, at times, bizarre. But it was also a glimpse into a country and people I know nothing about. I want to seek out interviews she's done. I want to understand it better.
marshal_ray's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
booksbakesbikes's review against another edition
4.0
Loved reading this book as I was in Zambia, seeing many of the places mentioned (and also being woken up by a rooster who thought street lights were the sun). Really loved the many ways the different characters' lives were revealed to be interwoven. After such a beautiful story, the ending left something to be desired, but I still enjoyed the journey.
dancinrio's review against another edition
5.0
I do love a sweeping, multi-generational epic and this one is magnificent with Zambia taking as big a role as the human characters. There is so much depth here it is just a pleasure to immerse oneself in.