amehlia's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.75
jojosbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Feeling sad I didn't connect enough to this but 3 stars because Maryse makes me want to steal her damn smooth writing style. This 200-something book read too much like a dense family saga. Too early on, I lost count of the characters and felt myself flicking to the front of the book every chapter or so, excepting a cruel, fully-armed family tree to show itself. I don't like hard work. Let me be a little passive when I read, please
remigves's review against another edition
challenging
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
jerrica's review against another edition
4.0
Probably would've enjoyed this more if it wasn't required (I've had a lot of trouble w school books lately) but overall a well-plotted and intricate portrait of the inhabitants of a small town in Guadeloupe.
harryc485's review against another edition
5.0
despite the ending being inconclusive, this novel by such a talented and overlooked Guadeloupean writer is by far my favourite French book to date. the short chapters which told not only the story of Francis Sancher’s fate but also that of the tangled web of relationships present on this island made sure I read on. The use of creole provided some exciting cultural nuggets without being a barrier to comprehension and this novel thoroughly deserves more recognition.
flick_reads's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
carsynm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
pennepasta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
ioduok's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
raethereviewer's review against another edition
4.25
This was so interesting. My thesis focus is Caribbean Literature so this was part of my reading list. I like how complicated the characters are and their connections to Francis Sancher were really fleshed out. The setting was distinct in a way that I couldn't imagine this story taking place anywhere other than this small town in Guadeloupe.