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kattyenn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexism
le_mur's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
aweekinthelife's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
i was a little uncomfortable that when Thula arrives in NY, Austin is described kind of like a father figure? and the ritual that the twins subject her to didn't seem to have any further reason in the story.
Graphic: Violence and Colonisation
mauricekofi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Misogyny and Colonisation
cyden's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping, and Colonisation
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Slavery
tlaynejones's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Sexism, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
emalderwood's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Colonisation
Moderate: Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism
gesinecauer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Colonisation
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
mscalls's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Colonisation
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The story takes us through generations of Kosawa residents with switching POVs from Thula, different members of her family, and the children of the village. Their stories are emotional but contain glimmers of hope as they fight to get their land back from an oil corporation poisoning their families.
How Beautiful We Were has beautiful writing and well written, complex characters. I just love her storytelling style and ability to create such depth with all of her characters, giving each their own unique voice.
The chapters are a little too long for my taste making it feel slower/harder to read here and there, but as I got further into the novel, the chapters started to go by faster.
Overall a heartbreaking but enjoyable, groundbreaking novel! I can’t wait to see what Mbue writes next.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Blood
Minor: Fatphobia and Religious bigotry