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swetha062's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.5
The first half explains a feeling of grief like how you miss the presence of someone around you, a physical being. The second half gets you through with a person as a feeling that is uncertain, like you are really confused as to what you would do if they never left with the last portion signifying death for anyone as it comes. It's a non-linear story of feelings as the author warns. I was captivated reading the first half and I really loved it. However the characterization in the second half felt a little weak and sometimes obscure with the narration. Otherwise a fascinating read on grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Classism
blessing_aj's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5
Since reading her debut, Namwali has always struck me as that kind of writer who is interested in experimenting with innovative writing styles and this book has solidified that belief.
In this one, she explores grief with particular focus on how it affects families, memory and self development, through two characters C and Wayne who end up finding love in the strangest of circumstances. The writing is so lyrical, it’s almost poetic. It’s also very disorienting like nothing I have ever read before, because even though a lot is happening, and we experience it in real time through the characters, yet we can’t say for sure what is actually happening. Tbh, this is the only reason, I didn’t rate it 4 stars or more, because the writing is so good.
I enjoyed reading the 65% of the book that I understood and may have to reread sometime to see if I can figure out what the rest was about. So overall, it was an interesting read. However, I’m fairly certain that if I had read it in print, I would have done so at a much slower pace than I did with the audiobook.
In this one, she explores grief with particular focus on how it affects families, memory and self development, through two characters C and Wayne who end up finding love in the strangest of circumstances. The writing is so lyrical, it’s almost poetic. It’s also very disorienting like nothing I have ever read before, because even though a lot is happening, and we experience it in real time through the characters, yet we can’t say for sure what is actually happening. Tbh, this is the only reason, I didn’t rate it 4 stars or more, because the writing is so good.
I enjoyed reading the 65% of the book that I understood and may have to reread sometime to see if I can figure out what the rest was about. So overall, it was an interesting read. However, I’m fairly certain that if I had read it in print, I would have done so at a much slower pace than I did with the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, and Car accident
mzynda's review
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Self harm, and Grief