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bookishkellyn's review against another edition
reflective
- 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
5.0
This is the first anthology where I’ve enjoyed every single story. This is a well-written collection that really hits home if you’re Jamaican (or Black Caribbean). → A friendship with a white-washed Black girl. A man compares himself to his estranged twin brother. The drownings of twin girls who loved mermaids. A mother sends her daughter back home to reset behaviors. A lesbian at a “straight wedding” reflects on life changes. A boy reminisces about his late grandmother. A college girl on an international track scholarship. A married immigrant harbors a secret. Acquaintances reconnect on Facebook. Daughters express their mixed emotions about their mothers. A Rihanna-like star dwells on her trials and tribulations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Suicide, Blood, Excrement, Abortion, and Pregnancy
atuin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This collection of stories all concern love and how that effects the characters, for better and for worse. there is the romantic love of course, but there is also the love children have for their parents, the love between siblings, the love of your homeland, and even the love you have for complete strangers. The characters are either living in Jamaica or people born in Jamaica living in the U.S. I will say it felt odd that almost every story involves a male character cheating on their wife or their girlfriend, but such things may well be a pressing issue in Jamaican society. My favorite stories were "Bad Behavior" where a troubled girl is sent to Jamaica to live with her grandma, "Mermaid River" where a young man reminices about his childhood living with his grandma, (I really like grandma stories ok?) "Mash Up Love" A story where a man has to decide on what to do with his brother, and "The Ghost of Jia Yi", a story where a woman mourns the death of a friendship she never had.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Infidelity, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide