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cally1510's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Racism
Moderate: Rape
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
I absolutely loved this book. It evoked such beautiful (and often painful) images of South London soon after the arrival of the Windrush, and what would be the beginning of the formation of our beautiful, diverse capital.
This is far from easy to read; the treatment of these characters at the hands of the public (and the police) can be horrific. But where this story triumphs is in its beautiful characters (I dare you not to fall completely in love with Lawrie), and their hope for the future that they never lose sight of.
This is far from easy to read; the treatment of these characters at the hands of the public (and the police) can be horrific. But where this story triumphs is in its beautiful characters (I dare you not to fall completely in love with Lawrie), and their hope for the future that they never lose sight of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape
alicerebekah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death
rosies_book_shelf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
brokenspines_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Murder, and Pregnancy
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
The Lovely City is based in 1940s-50s London. It's a story of the changing picture of England in the time of Windrush; Racism, women's liberation and the secularisation of society.
Murder mystery and a romance entwine to form the plot but for me the weight is most definitely on the romance when I'd have preferred more examination of the murder mystery.
The cast of characters is small and diverse but the book is plot driven. Character development is a little lacking. I wanted deeper emotion.
The duality of the windrush generation is explored well. From the welcome they receive from the 'mother land', 'a good strong pair of hands' to rebuild England after the war, entertaining musicians who bring their new music to the dance clubs to the racial slurs, the scary otherness reported in the newspapers, the rumours at church of how the newcomers are 'different from us' and the crimes that are being automatically pinned on them for a fast solve all over the city.
There's also a melancholic mood, a sense of judgement throughout the book. It's subtle enough to give just a wary feeling that Lawrie and Evie, our protagonists, no doubt feel every day since they are both people of colour.
It's a good story, it's well written. It's not a powerful or in depth read. It's a much lighter book than I anticipated.
Murder mystery and a romance entwine to form the plot but for me the weight is most definitely on the romance when I'd have preferred more examination of the murder mystery.
The cast of characters is small and diverse but the book is plot driven. Character development is a little lacking. I wanted deeper emotion.
The duality of the windrush generation is explored well. From the welcome they receive from the 'mother land', 'a good strong pair of hands' to rebuild England after the war, entertaining musicians who bring their new music to the dance clubs to the racial slurs, the scary otherness reported in the newspapers, the rumours at church of how the newcomers are 'different from us' and the crimes that are being automatically pinned on them for a fast solve all over the city.
There's also a melancholic mood, a sense of judgement throughout the book. It's subtle enough to give just a wary feeling that Lawrie and Evie, our protagonists, no doubt feel every day since they are both people of colour.
It's a good story, it's well written. It's not a powerful or in depth read. It's a much lighter book than I anticipated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abortion
hannahrhian's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Grief, and Pregnancy
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This Lovely City was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It centres on Laurie Matthews, a young Jamaican who arrived in the UK on the Empire Windrush. Life hasn’t been easy for Lawrie but after two years he’s got a job as a postal deliverer, plays clarinet with a band in nightclubs , and plans to marry Evie, the girl next door who is the daughter of a white mother and an unknown Black father. Their lives and plans are thrown into chaos when Lawrie discovers a dead baby - a dead Black baby - in a pond at the local park.
I really loved Lawrie and Evie as a characters. They were both delightful, albeit realistically flawed. As a reader I was constantly rooting for them, wanting them and their love to overcome all the struggles that came their way. Other characters were less likeable but in some ways more interesting. Evie’s mother was utterly complex. A warm and cuddly mother she was not. She loved her daughter, yet was ashamed of her, tried to protect her yet did so in ways that alienated and harmed her.
Racism clearly plays a big role in the novel and its impacts are infuriating and heartbreaking. I felt racism was examined and portrayed in a fully-rounded, realistic and nuanced way - everything from sideways glances to openly hostile remarks, difficulty finding a job and accommodation to bricks being thrown through windows. And yet despite the racism and other heavy plot points the novel never felt heavy. Partly this is the generally sunny and optimistic nature of Lawrie and Evie. But I think it is also due to the warm, vibrant and close community they were part of, such as Lawrie’s fellow West Indian band mates.
I was also totally here for the mystery part of the novel. Who was the baby and who was responsible for her death? All sorts of secrets were uncovered in the search for the truth but these (mostly) never felt like surprising twists, more the result of imperfect people faced with imperfect options.
Well-written (I typical love books that move between alternate timelines) with many interesting sub-plots incorporated with the main narrative thread, thoroughly absorbing, delightful yet meaty. I can’t wait to see what Louise Hare comes up with next.
I really loved Lawrie and Evie as a characters. They were both delightful, albeit realistically flawed. As a reader I was constantly rooting for them, wanting them and their love to overcome all the struggles that came their way. Other characters were less likeable but in some ways more interesting. Evie’s mother was utterly complex. A warm and cuddly mother she was not. She loved her daughter, yet was ashamed of her, tried to protect her yet did so in ways that alienated and harmed her.
Racism clearly plays a big role in the novel and its impacts are infuriating and heartbreaking. I felt racism was examined and portrayed in a fully-rounded, realistic and nuanced way - everything from sideways glances to openly hostile remarks, difficulty finding a job and accommodation to bricks being thrown through windows. And yet despite the racism and other heavy plot points the novel never felt heavy. Partly this is the generally sunny and optimistic nature of Lawrie and Evie. But I think it is also due to the warm, vibrant and close community they were part of, such as Lawrie’s fellow West Indian band mates.
I was also totally here for the mystery part of the novel. Who was the baby and who was responsible for her death? All sorts of secrets were uncovered in the search for the truth but these (mostly) never felt like surprising twists, more the result of imperfect people faced with imperfect options.
Well-written (I typical love books that move between alternate timelines) with many interesting sub-plots incorporated with the main narrative thread, thoroughly absorbing, delightful yet meaty. I can’t wait to see what Louise Hare comes up with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Child death
epellicci's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This Lovely City is a gripping historical fiction full of mystery, emotion, and action. Hare writes wonderful, three dimensional characters that drive a story full of twists and shocking reveals. I found this book to be a real page turner and loved the way Hare built suspense and depth by switching between Lawrie and Evie's, and past and present perspectives.
Focused heavily on the prejudice and rascim faced by the black British and Jamaican communities in the 1950's, the themes of the story are painfully familiar to the prosecution still witnessed today. I found the book a moving insight into the terror and anger of a community let down and all too easily targeted.
Focused heavily on the prejudice and rascim faced by the black British and Jamaican communities in the 1950's, the themes of the story are painfully familiar to the prosecution still witnessed today. I found the book a moving insight into the terror and anger of a community let down and all too easily targeted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Domestic abuse and Vomit
ellarend's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
I filmed a book review on my Youtube channel @ellarend: https://youtu.be/BeKg07NB5wg
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Murder