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cassielaj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Mental illness, Abortion, and Pregnancy
crazytourists_books's review
- 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
4.5
When I started this book, I left aside all the biases that, inevitably as a Greek have towards the history of Cyprus, the events, the people, the british colonisation and then the island's dichotomy. I think that Shafak also did her best to leave her biases on the side, and overall, she did a very good job, but in places, it did feel kind of forcibly balanced.
Having said that, once again, I was lulled by the author's wonderful talent in storytelling; her words have a great power of pulling you in the story. A story of grief and loss and love.
And here I am, loving a love story!
My only regret is that I read in November, in England instead of August, in Greece, overlooking at the see, eating the most amazing fruit in the world! Fresh figs!
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Alcohol, and War
nicolaparty's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Kidnapping
mlkai's review against another edition
3.0
writing to floral & detailed for my taste. the love story didn’t grab me. learning about the civil war felt heavy, timely, real. learned a lot about trees tho which i’m happy about
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Abandonment
jayvdw's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Concerning the ending,
Overall, I really enjoyed my reading of this book, sometimes it made me sad whilst at other moments it was very joyful. I loved learning about the different perspectives and about the island of Cyprus. Writing-wise, I really enjoyed the small chapters, it made the book way more accessible. Overall I give it a 4.75. For me, it's just barely not a full 5, the book just missed a certain spark that would keep me hooked to read it nonstop, but overall it's an amazing book.
Graphic: War
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Hate crime
sneepsnorp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
anwenanwenanwen's review
- 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
4.5
Only thing I didn't love was the authors voice felt very inconsistent, went from overly forced poetic prose to very very casual dialogue that didn't feel realistic, to then pages of info about bugs and trees. I also wish she had gone more into depth about the classroom incident, felt like she forgot to finish that sub plot?
But I'd still recommend this to anyone who feels a deep connection to nature and is interested in Greek politics! I'm from a very Greek/ Turkish neighbourhood in North London so this story holds a special place in my heart <3
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and War
yolanda_h's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide
sophia2203's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death
mraddd's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicide, Islamophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, and Sexual content