Reviews

Small Island by Andrea Levy

nanc_282's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aimeemorven's review against another edition

no time to finish :((

leafybookrat's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

funktious's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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

3.5

An interesting read, although I went into it expecting it to be much more focused on the post war period and not WW2 itself and man, I think I’m done reading WW2 books. I appreciate there there’s a need for more diverse stories about the war, and  I did enjoy the parts about the West Indies' soldiers perspective, but I must admit to skim reading a lot of the blitz scenes as I have read so many blitz novels now.

My main difficulty was that I only really liked Gilbert, so struggled a bit through everyone else’s POV chapters, especially Bernard’s as I’m not sure he even needed a section, as he learned basically nothing. Gilbert was wonderful though and I do hope he got to study law one day - I would have liked to read more of their post war experiences. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

pearlhannaford's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• 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

lucyyriddell's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

• 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

4.5

katkatkat24's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

katecurry's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Terrible ending that felt tacked on. 

aecorthell's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

csw217's review against another edition

5.0

This is literally one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was truly heartbreaking and illuminating. Can’t wait to read more by this author!!