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annabelle_vlr's review
challenging
dark
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
4.5
plantluvr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
kiki_reads07's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.75 stars. This is long read with a very slow start. It’s as beautiful as it is infuriating and frustrating. Patsy’s transition to America and all that encompasses is a story that all should read.
briandagutierrez's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It truly is amazing how some people immigrate to the US or any country and make a successful go out of it, able to send money back, improve their lot here, still keep in touch with family, and still be hopeful. Patsy is not that story; Patsy is hopeful yet so depressing.
It was hard to read about a mother choosing to leave their daughter behind, sacrifice everything she had for the hope of something only for it to fall apart so quickly. It was hard to read about the guilt and resentment and hurt everybody we followed experienced.
It was hard to read about a mother choosing to leave their daughter behind, sacrifice everything she had for the hope of something only for it to fall apart so quickly. It was hard to read about the guilt and resentment and hurt everybody we followed experienced.
bajebookclub's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
eclecticreadswithash's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
💬 "To Patsy, who hasn't dreamed in years, America is a coffin."
WOW! More people should know about this book!!
Patsy, a Jamaican woman, gets a visa to America, longing to be with her childhood friend and crush Cicely. In doing so, she leaves her five-year-old daughter, Tru, behind. What follows is a beautifully written, nuanced story of immigration, motherhood, and growing up feeling unwanted. It smoothly alternatives between Patsy and her undocumented life in New York, and Tru still in Jamaica trying to get by without her mother.
This book was gut punch after gut punch. I was truly in awe of everything that Patsy and Tru went through. It didn't leave me always rooting for Patsy and I think that's really important. Patsy's decisions were never easy, but that also doesn't make her a good person.
It's an incredibly relevant story to tell today with immigration being such a hot topic and I'd encourage anyone to give it a try. It will stick with you for a while!
WOW! More people should know about this book!!
Patsy, a Jamaican woman, gets a visa to America, longing to be with her childhood friend and crush Cicely. In doing so, she leaves her five-year-old daughter, Tru, behind. What follows is a beautifully written, nuanced story of immigration, motherhood, and growing up feeling unwanted. It smoothly alternatives between Patsy and her undocumented life in New York, and Tru still in Jamaica trying to get by without her mother.
This book was gut punch after gut punch. I was truly in awe of everything that Patsy and Tru went through. It didn't leave me always rooting for Patsy and I think that's really important. Patsy's decisions were never easy, but that also doesn't make her a good person.
It's an incredibly relevant story to tell today with immigration being such a hot topic and I'd encourage anyone to give it a try. It will stick with you for a while!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
combepherre's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.25
madelineb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Started off a little slow but picked up quickly for me! My only issue is that Patsy really didn't grow throughout the book but then the ending is neat and tidy as if she did grow? A messier ending and it would have been a 5 star for me!
cellardoor10's review against another edition
DNF - very insightful, well-written, etc. But a really depressing book, lots of abuse, physical and sexual. Decided I needed a different mental state than this book was giving me. Might come back to it at another time.