Reviews

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin

alos3478's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad medium-paced

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

2.5

jonahmcdonald's review against another edition

4.5

Never mind all the swords and sorcery bollocks. All the “And Focaccia of House Dingleberry summoned a Soul-Dragon Level 40 to strike down the Red Hounds of Jeremiah Elysium” (which, boiled down, all end up being very fucking similar just with different ham-handed attempts at making some point about society, class or religion). THIS is the kind of shit that Young Adult writers (read: children’s authors for people who don’t want to admit they’re still reading children’s books as adults) should be doing. This is an intelligent and heart-rending story about love (romantic, familial and platonic), duty and identity, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s also about music and choirboys and George Freddy H himself is a character so it has a special place in my heart, as well as an uncomfortable portrayal of slavery and racism. My greatest criticism of this book is that it’s not double the size. I suspect even now, 5 years on from when I read this, I would gladly devour such an edition.

eviledna's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

charlote_1347's review against another edition

4.0

I'd never heard of this play before September just gone, but I'm glad I took a chance on it. It was tempting to read a synopsis of the plot beforehand, what with the multitude of characters, but I think that would have been a mistake. The plot was quite complex but it was easier to grasp when encountering it for the first time without any foreknowledge of the novel. I'll need to sit back and give the play some thought and contemplate the themes but I can safely say that I enjoyed this particular bit of fiction. One to keep an eye out for in terms of performances I think. It'd be amazing to see 'Coram Boy' performed on stage.

evieskirrow13's review against another edition

Boring 😴

catsandbooksarethebest's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

carolineroche's review against another edition

5.0

I had read this book in the past, so this was a re-read. Although I had remembered the storyline vaguely, I had not remembered how brutal it was, how Gothic and dark. It is a brilliant story of a terrible time of inhumanity to unmarried mothers and their babies.

saidahgilbert's review against another edition

3.0

Chockful of historical facts. That's why I liked this book. Not that the story wasn't good as well.

alliebarlow's review against another edition

4.0

Read this is class over a period of months and it's safe to say both my students and I were thoroughly engaged in the plot.

It was nice to see reactions to the twists throughout however, I feel some of the more sensitive subject matter could have been explored deeper.

hannahnott's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75