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mionnechan's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Alcohol
joelle_lecturechocolathe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
Minor: Drug abuse, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
emzireads's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Rape and Violence
cpsawcd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
themeanfrench's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Drug abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
colourismbig_mom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use
lana_mc's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
eri_s_library's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
thewordsdevourer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
The Impatient provides a revelatory look into infuriating cultural customs in a part of the world that is rarely spotlighted, however as a novel I simply feel impartial to it.
The book definitely sheds light on the plight of women in Cameroon whose lives are controlled by familial expectations, strict religious doctrine, and sexist cultural traditions. I like how Amal depicts the oppressive environment that's created by men but upheld by all, with women being complicit through generational, lifelong socialization and pitted against one another, and particularly enjoy Safira's section of the book. The culture is vibrant here as well, and I learn more about local food, customs, beliefs, and way of life.
However, I am not too fond of the writing (either that or perhaps the translation) that seems juvenile at times despite its serious subject. The prose, in my opinion, doesn't really befit the story, and would've benefited from more layered complexity. And while I'm aware that the characters mirror reality, many of them come across as overly flat and one-dimensional, and their struggles - while infuriating and enraging - somehow fail to make much impact with me.
Although I'm personally impartial to the novel, this is still a relevatory read that achieved the author's aim of shedding light on oppressive and misogynistic cultural traditions.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage