A review by londadbk
The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

With a few tweaks this book could easily be a 5 stars. Well-written with an intriguing narrative and main character (as well as intriguing side-characters),  it knows how to create and build mystery all whilst keeping you grounded in the narrative the author is crafting. I was disappointed to see her state so explicitly what happened at the end though. It killed a certain “magic” that the book had. After 250 pages of the narrator dropping hints that the reader can catch, it felt a bit (dumb, useless??)  to have everything spelt out for us in such a way. Almost as if at first, the author was showing us things and then she just started telling us. The switch felt jarring. The end also felt rushed, especially after the author created this steady pace (very slow in the prison with jumps all over the time structure for outside the prison). It was slightly disorienting for her to move so quickly in the end. Still a great book though!!