Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura

2 reviews

eralbesu's review against another edition

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I really want to enjoy this book, and there were elements I did enjoy. For instance, I enjoyed reading about The Hague and the trials and the work of an international court interpreter. However, the story felt a bit shallow. Every time I thought I’d discovered the plot line that was going to add more depth to the story, it plateaued. 

All in all, it was a quick read that managed to feel light, despite moments of darker subject matter. Sometimes I need that in a book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Genocide, Hate crime, Violence, and Infidelity

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Grief, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Blood, and Cancer

parton4proletariat's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

I had high expectations for this book. The premise is exciting—a woman entangled in a relationship with a married man, her life intertwining with a violent crime victim, and interpreting for a war criminal. There is so much going on in this book just for nothing to happen. The court scenes feel like they take up most of the book and seem to drag on forever. Everything else fell flat to me. Her relationship with the married man was interesting but only really happened at the beginning and end of the book. The whole time I was just waiting for something to happen. I also didn't enjoy the writing style. The directness just wasn't for me. 

however, I did appreciate the hopeful ending. I'm a sucker for ambiguous endings, and Kitamura did it in a way that felt satisfying, which I think is hard to do.

 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War