andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
This is a tremendous book which through 12 separate stories about women of colour in Britain brilliantly emphasises how society is changing and how positive diversity is to the cultural growth of a country.
I loved the links between the stories which open with Amma, a playwright planning her play's (about Amazonian women) opening night at the national theatre and culminate in many of the other characters attending the play as observers and we see links of which they are unaware.
The book introduces three generations of women from mothers who are newly entered the UK to their daughters trying to find their way in a hostile world to the granddaughters able to assert their rights on the shoulders of their strong predecessors yet still wanting to , as any adolescent does , fight their parents expectations.
All the tales are very strong and it difficult to single any out but include amma's partner who ends up in a controlling relationship in America, a woman who a failure at school works hard in a supermarket to support her children, a maths prodigy at the same school who becomes a business suceess, and the teacher who inspired the girl, a woman unaware of her black heritage until she takes an ancestry DNA test , a young woman who transitions and lives as non binary, and a farmer in her 90's who recalls her childhood and adolescence. I really like this structure of novel, of which I've read a few recently as the apparent individuals are linked by slight threads which perhaps emphasizes how interconnected lives can be and allows the reader to enjoy discovering the links.
A really good book which I was sorry to put down when I finished despite devouring every page desperate to read more.
I loved the links between the stories which open with Amma, a playwright planning her play's (about Amazonian women) opening night at the national theatre and culminate in many of the other characters attending the play as observers and we see links of which they are unaware.
The book introduces three generations of women from mothers who are newly entered the UK to their daughters trying to find their way in a hostile world to the granddaughters able to assert their rights on the shoulders of their strong predecessors yet still wanting to , as any adolescent does , fight their parents expectations.
All the tales are very strong and it difficult to single any out but include amma's partner who ends up in a controlling relationship in America, a woman who a failure at school works hard in a supermarket to support her children, a maths prodigy at the same school who becomes a business suceess, and the teacher who inspired the girl, a woman unaware of her black heritage until she takes an ancestry DNA test , a young woman who transitions and lives as non binary, and a farmer in her 90's who recalls her childhood and adolescence. I really like this structure of novel, of which I've read a few recently as the apparent individuals are linked by slight threads which perhaps emphasizes how interconnected lives can be and allows the reader to enjoy discovering the links.
A really good book which I was sorry to put down when I finished despite devouring every page desperate to read more.
andrew61's review
4.0
This is my second read of what is a remarkable and unique book which I picked up again for my physical (now zoom) reading group. In the time since my lst review the world seems to have gone mad and the black woman , trans gender life experience in a white privileged society has been at the forefront of the news.
The author has written a book which allows the reader to step into the world of 12 different individuals whose lives are diverse and fascinating and cover the black experience from the early 20th century up to today. I'd entirely recommend this easy to read book for anyone who fails to recognise the benefits of a diverse society, although I guess those people probably would baulk at the idea of immersing themselves those lives in the first place.
The author has written a book which allows the reader to step into the world of 12 different individuals whose lives are diverse and fascinating and cover the black experience from the early 20th century up to today. I'd entirely recommend this easy to read book for anyone who fails to recognise the benefits of a diverse society, although I guess those people probably would baulk at the idea of immersing themselves those lives in the first place.
shoey's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
mog261's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
this is one of the best books i have ever read.
twmebbs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
janickiam's review
5.0
A collection of interconnected stories centering on black women in the UK. This book was charming, witty, and moving and represented voices that are often overlooked and othered. Loved this book.
rva_reader's review
3.0
I’m torn on how to rate this book. It was maybe a 3.5 but I rounded down. It was OK. It took me a little while to get into the writing style. I thought some of the stories were good/interesting and others were just OK. I think when I decided to read the book played a part with how I enjoyed it because it was an overwhelming week with virtual school starting for my son so I prob just needed a fluff book.