bethvance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
5.0
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: War, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Murder, Infertility, and Pregnancy
sadiemclaughlin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved how Zadie Smith would use fun and original formatting in this book to spice the otherwise slow paced story up.
Graphic: Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
hannahmcd94's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s a slow book, and usually I wolf them down but I had to take my time with this one - which initially I thought meant it was bad but I was hooked. The level of detail and then the times where you just don’t know what character you’re going to be introduced to next and the world Zadie creates that you get sucked into. I mean, it’s a book with not much plot and you’re never really sure where it’s going but it’s brilliant the diverse range of characters she can write
Minor: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Islamophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Violence
alomie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I feel like if I'd have read this when it was first published I would have thought it was an excellent comment on culture.
As it was I found it a real struggle to relate to it.
At its core I can see that it's objectively a good book, but i personally found it dated, which is weird but I think because it's set in recent(ish) modern times it just feels like looking at old pictures from the 80s and laughing at the perms and shoulder pads.
It was most definitely character driven and honestly the characters were for the most part infuriating.
As it was I found it a real struggle to relate to it.
At its core I can see that it's objectively a good book, but i personally found it dated, which is weird but I think because it's set in recent(ish) modern times it just feels like looking at old pictures from the 80s and laughing at the perms and shoulder pads.
It was most definitely character driven and honestly the characters were for the most part infuriating.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Hate crime, Cursing, and Cancer
Minor: Gun violence
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