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heidilreads's review
2.0
I'm still surprised I finished this book. I didn't like the two main characters and didn't really care to see the resolution.
shailydc's review against another edition
1.0
I wouldn't have picked it up if not for a book club. I appreciated hearing what others in the book club found enjoyable, but it didn't do anything for me.
faithbannier's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yellow_library's review
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kdat's review
2.0
I tried. I kept thinking it would take off. It is what I like to call an "and then" book...where you feel like the autbor is rambling and saying "and then.....and then" and it becomes a never ending nothing. None of the characters were interesting or made me want to know more. the primary character who's name we never learned seemed like she did nothing but mimd everybody else's business. just yuck. the 2nd star was only because the writing was well done.
rosiesmosie's review
challenging
dark
reflective
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? Yes
3.25
ahsatan82's review
2.0
Actually I didn't finish, I just gave up. I couldn't get into it and decided to stop trying to force it. Not my cup of tea, I suppose...
erinlcrane's review
3.0
*Technically* a DNF, but I got to 63%. I kept going so long in this one because this is one of those stories where there are two timelines. I really liked one, and I did not like the other. I just got to a point where I was really tired of the one I didn't like. I'm giving up.
The present day storyline, the one I did not like, involves a White pop star named Aimee. The narrator serves as her assistant. I liked the messages in this part of the book - it addresses racism, colonialism, White people being performative, misunderstandings of Islam and African countries, etc, etc. I just did not care about Aimee or any of the other characters' stories in that part. I'd also say it gets a bit too didactic through the characters.
The part I did like was the past storyline. The narrator starts with her childhood and moves forward. Her relationship with her mom was fascinating. I also really loved Tracey and the exploration of child behavior around trauma. Tracey's fantasy about her dad and the unspoken rule not to question it - loved it. I often don't enjoy a coming of age story, but here it's told from an adult perspective, in reflection, rather than a child's perspective. That helped.
Ultimately I didn't really see a reason for the split timeline instead of a linear story. And the present day just felt so disconnected from the past - neither Tracey nor the narrator's mom feature much, and those were the relationships I was interested in. I'm not sure it all comes together into something cohesive.
Smith writes so expressively, intelligently, and beautifully - that's part of what kept me going so long. I enjoyed White Teeth and On Beauty so much - especially On Beauty. But the story of this one is just not working for me. I appreciate its ambitiousness and what Smith was trying to do all the same, and I'll continue to try her work.
The present day storyline, the one I did not like, involves a White pop star named Aimee. The narrator serves as her assistant. I liked the messages in this part of the book - it addresses racism, colonialism, White people being performative, misunderstandings of Islam and African countries, etc, etc. I just did not care about Aimee or any of the other characters' stories in that part. I'd also say it gets a bit too didactic through the characters.
The part I did like was the past storyline. The narrator starts with her childhood and moves forward. Her relationship with her mom was fascinating. I also really loved Tracey and the exploration of child behavior around trauma. Tracey's fantasy about her dad and the unspoken rule not to question it - loved it. I often don't enjoy a coming of age story, but here it's told from an adult perspective, in reflection, rather than a child's perspective. That helped.
Ultimately I didn't really see a reason for the split timeline instead of a linear story. And the present day just felt so disconnected from the past - neither Tracey nor the narrator's mom feature much, and those were the relationships I was interested in. I'm not sure it all comes together into something cohesive.
Smith writes so expressively, intelligently, and beautifully - that's part of what kept me going so long. I enjoyed White Teeth and On Beauty so much - especially On Beauty. But the story of this one is just not working for me. I appreciate its ambitiousness and what Smith was trying to do all the same, and I'll continue to try her work.
ninawilczewska's review
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
julius_marden's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25