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katewhite77's review against another edition
- 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
One lunchtime whilst working in a school, Miss Betty sidles up to Mr Chetan to become her lodger, and a beautiful dacades long begins. They
try did try being lovers for a time, and whilst that didn't work out too well, the friendship only deepened.
Chetan helps raise Solo, Miss Betty's son, for many years. That is until, one day, Solo over hears something that completely changes the course of their lives. This novel spans continents, and the decades just melt into each other. We go from baking hot Trinidadian summers to freezing cold winters in New York. Love conquers all undoubtedly, but the question remains at what cost.
Not an easy read by any means, trigger warnings everywhere, but I have no doubt that this will trouble my top books of the year list and has further cemented my love of Caribbean literature.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Alcohol
danajoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the strong friendship and respect between Miss Betty and Mr Chetan.
The self harm element in the latter section was some of the most confronting that I've read.
Graphic: Hate crime, Self harm, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence
anisha_02'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Murder
miaaa_lenaaa'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? Yes
4.75
‘You can't force understanding.’
A bit little life-y
Was caught v off guard
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
lucyatoz's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
The story of Betty Ramdin, her son Solo and their lodger Mr Chetan, is one big hot mess of a story about different forms of love. The unbounding love that is between a Mother and Son, following the death of Husband and Father, who was an abusive alcoholic, and Solo's flight from Trinidad to live with his Uncle and his family in New York. The platonic love that grows between Betty and Mr Chetan, contrasted with his hot, passionate loving of men. The second father relationship of respect and affection between Solo and Mr Chetan, which helps them both as they try to understand their places in two very different societies.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
pkc'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
merrynthomas'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
This book deals heavily with family trauma brought on by domestic abuse, particularly the mother/child relationshipmscalls'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
hannahrhian's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol
waywardtomes's review against another edition
4.0
Please note: if you are looking for a review about the rep in it, I cannot give you that. I am a white lady in the U.S please look for reviews by Trinidadians on that.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism