macaronoui's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-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? N/A
3.25
This book is a sort of sequel but according to the writer can be read separately as well as a standalone book.
So the book has three narrators and follows their lives in a mostly white and pretty racist (not all overt, a lot of micro aggressions) Sweden. The narrators all have very distinct voices and it is lovely to have such a truly diverse group of characters in the book.
Without spoilers, of all the men in this book, only three are nice. The other men are gaslighting meanies. It’s a pity they weren’t more nuanced.
Because of the men in their lives, the three women’s lives basically revolves around their issues. And I feel like the women weren’t fleshed out well. Also a lot of the book does not pass the Bechdel test, which again is such a pity because all three women have incredible stories and strength.
All in all there were some really good highs, but the overly kvetchy/complaining women were not well rounded enough to get behind. Like whole chapters of one of the women just complaining.
I thought Yasmiin was the most interesting narrator and story.
Yasmiin is a refugee from Somalia, married to Turkish Yagiz, her former roommate and friend Muna tried to kill herself.
Brittany-Rae - from Atlanta - parents from Jamaica - mother to Maya, partner is Jonny, a super rich dude - bff Tanesha
Kemi - from Lagos, Nigeria - partner Tobias, wants to move back to the us, works for Jonny, had a steamy make out with colleague Ragnar. Twin with Kehinde who lives in the US.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
More...