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katewhite77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One lunchtime whilst working in a school, Miss Betty sidles up to Mr Chetan to become her lodger, and a beautiful dacades long begins. They
try did try being lovers for a time, and whilst that didn't work out too well, the friendship only deepened.
Chetan helps raise Solo, Miss Betty's son, for many years. That is until, one day, Solo over hears something that completely changes the course of their lives. This novel spans continents, and the decades just melt into each other. We go from baking hot Trinidadian summers to freezing cold winters in New York. Love conquers all undoubtedly, but the question remains at what cost.
Not an easy read by any means, trigger warnings everywhere, but I have no doubt that this will trouble my top books of the year list and has further cemented my love of Caribbean literature.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Alcohol
danajoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the strong friendship and respect between Miss Betty and Mr Chetan.
The self harm element in the latter section was some of the most confronting that I've read.
Graphic: Hate crime, Self harm, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence
booksandbabble'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
jimio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
sakisreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
sgrizzle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Violence, and Suicide attempt
dehood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
absolute_bookery'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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
miaaa_lenaaa'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? Yes
4.75
‘You can't force understanding.’
A bit little life-y
Was caught v off guard
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
bookish_wanderer'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia