sanmeow's review
emotional
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
4.75
the story of three nigerian women: kambirinachi, the mother, and kehinde and taiye, the twin daughters. all three of them struggle with different things. the daughters are now estranged from their mother due to a traumatic incident. i thought the writing style was super good and really touching, which is even more impressive since i believe this is the author's debut. i connected with the characters and felt for them and the trauma they endured + the effects it still has on them. the characters fascinated me. taiye was realistic and reminded me of a friend so i really liked reading about her. kambirinachi is a truly unique character, considering she's a spirit who wants to stay in a human body though she's not supposed to. that brings me to my next point! i really liked learning about culture showcased in this book, for example through the spirit that kambirinachi is and the food that is also a huge part of the story. overall, a beautiful and meaningful novel!
ylvalovisa's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
kodkod's review against another edition
3.5
This novel made me so hungry. All the deliciously enticing food depictions nearly did me in! I also love the choice of rotating locations and point of views for contrast. While evocative, I'm still not sure how I feel about the treatment of the mother's mental health; she's an ambiguous character with an fable-like story-line - and I'm sure it will be great discussion fodder for literature classes.
The only reason I don't rate this book higher is that it could've shaved off approximately 100 pages. Otherwise, I liked it nearly as much as [b:Jonny Appleseed|37514017|Jonny Appleseed|Joshua Whitehead|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514035743l/37514017._SX50_.jpg|59124667] (another of CBC's Canada Reads 2021 contenders).
The only reason I don't rate this book higher is that it could've shaved off approximately 100 pages. Otherwise, I liked it nearly as much as [b:Jonny Appleseed|37514017|Jonny Appleseed|Joshua Whitehead|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514035743l/37514017._SX50_.jpg|59124667] (another of CBC's Canada Reads 2021 contenders).
katiekuse's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
titalindaslibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
anniemackillican's review
5.0
This is, by far, and without a doubt, the best book I have read this year.
Never have I read such an honest and raw account of dealing with pain, grief, resentment and love and what it means when your family are both your home and the people who drive you away from home.
After the death of their father, Taiye and Kehinde live through a trauma that fractures their relationship as children, and grows into resentment as they become adults. After spending several years apart, they return home to Lagos to visit their mother, and confront the pain of their pasts.
This book so perfectly captures the complex relationships between sisters, especially after experienced a collective violation that left them deeply scarred. Their desire to be close again mixes with their anger towards one another and culminates as they make decisions about how to move forward with their lives.
This is also a queer story which in my opinion just makes everything better.
The easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given out.
Never have I read such an honest and raw account of dealing with pain, grief, resentment and love and what it means when your family are both your home and the people who drive you away from home.
After the death of their father, Taiye and Kehinde live through a trauma that fractures their relationship as children, and grows into resentment as they become adults. After spending several years apart, they return home to Lagos to visit their mother, and confront the pain of their pasts.
This book so perfectly captures the complex relationships between sisters, especially after experienced a collective violation that left them deeply scarred. Their desire to be close again mixes with their anger towards one another and culminates as they make decisions about how to move forward with their lives.
This is also a queer story which in my opinion just makes everything better.
The easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given out.
vicchart's review
dark
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
5.0
I read this book in a heartbeat and was sad to read the last page. It skilfully combines beautiful character development with colourful details. If you like food; you’re in a treat with the artful descriptions of meals being cooked throughout the book.
adabubba's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.75
An exploration of a family you can’t help but love, cry for and hold within your heart. With magnificent prose and gutting sentiment, Francesca Ekwuyasi brings you close to tears and beyond, and back again through the grief of a painful but striking lifetime of familyhood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Rape, and Sexual assault
theythemsam's review against another edition
5.0
“I want to learn to love you better everyday” 😭😭 The love stories intertwined in this book are so beautiful and the going back and forth between the women’s’ stories was amazing and wow I truly loved all the characters and their reasons for going on with life, despite their looming insecurities and trauma