scouta's review against another edition
4.0
This book was incredibly gorgeous and I only give it 4 because I feel like a reread would up my rating! The mythology of the text was interwoven with the biblical references in such an intriguing way and much more about theology than a narrative. I loved the portrayal of the women characters in this and how much magic was attributed to being a woman, specifically Black woman. Highly recommend and so glad this was my first read of the year!
pattyspages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
ALL THE STARS for a book I am still trying to find the words for.
What a triumph for someone to write a book so harrowing and yet so gorgeous - I couldn't tear my eyes away!
Written from an omniscient POV but with chapters from different perspectives, this book pulls you inf rom the beginning with a huge sense of foreshadowing and foreboding. We are lead to feel that we are the narrator but also like the narrator is talking directly to us.
Don't get me wrong- this book is deep and hard but also leaves room for tiny moments of rebellion through humour, gentleness, human decency and connection.
The representation and understanding of girlhood and womanhood is out of this world and the internal dialogue that we are made privy to, makes the book multidimensional in ways I wasn't expecting going into it.
The book is definitely unsettling and I would recommend reading it with people and only doing a certain amount of pages a day but it is so worth it!
This is just a brief summary for now but I will be back to expand on this and I'll post my full essay to my blog once it's ready.
I was just impatient to tell you all that I adored it.
What a triumph for someone to write a book so harrowing and yet so gorgeous - I couldn't tear my eyes away!
Written from an omniscient POV but with chapters from different perspectives, this book pulls you inf rom the beginning with a huge sense of foreshadowing and foreboding. We are lead to feel that we are the narrator but also like the narrator is talking directly to us.
Don't get me wrong- this book is deep and hard but also leaves room for tiny moments of rebellion through humour, gentleness, human decency and connection.
The representation and understanding of girlhood and womanhood is out of this world and the internal dialogue that we are made privy to, makes the book multidimensional in ways I wasn't expecting going into it.
The book is definitely unsettling and I would recommend reading it with people and only doing a certain amount of pages a day but it is so worth it!
This is just a brief summary for now but I will be back to expand on this and I'll post my full essay to my blog once it's ready.
I was just impatient to tell you all that I adored it.
marissax22's review against another edition
3.0
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. The idea was really good and the writing was absolutely beautiful and lyrical. But it just didn’t all come together for me. I felt like the story got lost.
dominika_benmichael's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: Homophobia
owensda91's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.75
ekmook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
3.25
thebookishmindset's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
bookish_calirican's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
I don’t even have the words to express how this book made me feel. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this. It’s amazing.
bookwormrj's review against another edition
3.0
Argh. I really really wanted to love this book, and the concept had a ton of potential. Instead I found myself frustrated and annoyed at the overwrought language and often incoherent passages. I had to read many sections over and over again to understand their meaning. I’m not sure that’s the sign of good writing.
Because of the messiness of the language and constant shifting of perspectives, I found myself not caring about any character. Sadly most of the women started blending into each other, and the Biblical references eluded me and frankly just felt pretentious.
I love the radical ideas here but the execution was just sloppy. A pity.
Because of the messiness of the language and constant shifting of perspectives, I found myself not caring about any character. Sadly most of the women started blending into each other, and the Biblical references eluded me and frankly just felt pretentious.
I love the radical ideas here but the execution was just sloppy. A pity.
mellomellomello's review against another edition
I’m going to refrain from rating this one but wow what a book.