Reviews

Crossing the Mangrove by Maryse Condé

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This story is told from many points of view, but revolves around one person: Francis Sancher. Francis has recently been found dead. None of the villagers are really surprised since Francis predicted his death. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one person who has come to view Francis body and pay respects and tells their piece in Francis' life.

This was an okay book. Some of the stories were pretty interesting. Overall the book was well written. However what you will quickly discover is that this is not a mystery book and the answer to how Francis died will never be revealed. That the stories are just those - stories. Not pieces to a puzzle of how he died, but how he lived and affected their individual lives. I was kind of hoping for it to be revealed anong those stories how he died, but it didn't. And that was a bit of a let down for me.

OVerall, a fine book.

amehlia's review against another edition

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informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jojosbookshelf's review

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3.0

Feeling sad I didn't connect enough to this but 3 stars because Maryse makes me want to steal her damn smooth writing style. This 200-something book read too much like a dense family saga. Too early on, I lost count of the characters and felt myself flicking to the front of the book every chapter or so, excepting a cruel, fully-armed family tree to show itself. I don't like hard work. Let me be a little passive when I read, please

remigves's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jerrica's review against another edition

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4.0

Probably would've enjoyed this more if it wasn't required (I've had a lot of trouble w school books lately) but overall a well-plotted and intricate portrait of the inhabitants of a small town in Guadeloupe.

harryc485's review against another edition

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5.0

despite the ending being inconclusive, this novel by such a talented and overlooked Guadeloupean writer is by far my favourite French book to date. the short chapters which told not only the story of Francis Sancher’s fate but also that of the tangled web of relationships present on this island made sure I read on. The use of creole provided some exciting cultural nuggets without being a barrier to comprehension and this novel thoroughly deserves more recognition.