Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - Hermano

I started the 2023 Read the World challenge here on Storygraph, requiring me to read books set or written in 10 different areas of the world. One of the areas (Trinidad and Tobago) was a complete mystery to me, and I figured I'd end up reading a romance novel set in a beach resort just to "check it off" the list. Instead, skimming their list of suggested titles, Brother by David Chariandy caught my attention and I gave it a shot. If nothing else comes of this challenge, I am thankful this challenge brought me to this book!
From the first page the language of this book is captivating, quickly transitioning the experience from "just another book" to "a powerful work of literature." So many poignant moments of literary perfection.

"He taught me that, my older brother. Memory's got nothing to do with the old and grey and faraway gone. Memory's the muscle sting of now."

The story is a simple one on paper - ten years after the death of his older brother, Francis, main character Michael, invites a girl from his past, Aisha, to stay with him while she grieves her father's death. Aisha's presence pushes Michael both physically and emotionally to confront the loss of his brother.

There is so much more in this 200 pages, though -- this is a story of identity, of family, of courage, of grief, of brutality and recovery. It deals with crucial modern issues like the interaction of black men and the police and the view of gay men in the black community with a featherlight touch and brutal honesty. A plot structure that could be easily seen as an attempt to play on headlines is instead gut wrenchingly honest in its presentation of the unexpectedness, the unexplanable nature, and the unacceptableness of the actions included. Francis' character in absentia remains the most powerful force - his family and friends pulled to his gravity even years after his death. The highest compliment I can give a book is to say I want to write about it...and this one I do. I want to write and write and write...this book has so much to explore.

Honestly, though, I feel insignificant just trying to review this book - it's so beautiful and so powerful it should be the top of every reading list.

Content Warnings

maxmanga's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

potterpav's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-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

wow .. a short book but so impactful . you aren’t with the characters for very long , but you can still see their motivations and reasonings for their actions (whether good or bad) and it feels like you’re watching an ocean of stories all mingle together , despite the book focusing on 3 main characters . what a way to start the 2023 reading year - thank you david chariandy

Content Warnings

katoo's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

lizlikesfrogs's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.75

Content Warnings

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