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fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I laughed at certain moments and rolled my eyes at other points. A side of Black America that is often overlooked in media. So while I didn’t love the book, I loved that about the book.
Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Racism
carolynrasp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a well connected short story collection about a black family in and around DC (and those close to them), all with a central theme of welcoming someone into their home. The synopsis does the explanation far more justice than I ever could. I loved getting glimpses into each character's life, how the family fit together, and the diversity of their relationships.
jnordgren's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookographic's review
emotional
medium-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
4.0
wuraoye's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
toebean5's review against another edition
4.0
I don't even like short story collections most of the time, but this one was great. Very engaging, and I personally loved trying to figure out the interconnectedness of each story. Each of them offered something different, and each of them rang true about the ways families relate to each other in private and when there's company. I really loved "The Everest Society"- mainly for the depiction of the building tenants and the way they treated each other during a difficult situation. But I thought the whole thing was excellent- will definitely keep in mind for the book group (although short stories are tough to discuss- so we'll see).
haz_bookshelf's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
floating_sky's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? N/A
4.0
Family tree at beginning of the book was helpful to keep the characters straight and reference how they are intertwined.
Collection of short stories drops you in the middle of character lives. Enjoyed piecing family connections together as stories intertwined and came together. Diverse personality makes family unique and this collection does fine job of highlighting that aspect of family life.
Audible brought stories and characters to life!
Audible brought stories and characters to life!
khopeisz's review against another edition
3.25
I finished this one because it was ably written (Mote stood out as the best written; the details were delicious and the characters were intriguing). However, a few issues. 1) the women in this collection were sexualized beyond necessity. I mean one remark in one short story is nothing but all compiled, it got to be annoying. 2) hardly any of the cast of characters were like able. They were uppity and pretentious and the only down on her luck character never got a story from her own vantage point to sort of counteract her family’s pretentiousness or redeem them in any way. I understand characters don’t have to be liked, but once again, all compounded it just got on my damn nerves. I would be interested to read more from this author as she can wield language, just needs better characterization.
melodys_library's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don’t usually find myself unable to put down a collection of short stories. Bravo.