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asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-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
4.0
I absolutely loved this book. It evoked such beautiful (and often painful) images of South London soon after the arrival of the Windrush, and what would be the beginning of the formation of our beautiful, diverse capital.
This is far from easy to read; the treatment of these characters at the hands of the public (and the police) can be horrific. But where this story triumphs is in its beautiful characters (I dare you not to fall completely in love with Lawrie), and their hope for the future that they never lose sight of.
This is far from easy to read; the treatment of these characters at the hands of the public (and the police) can be horrific. But where this story triumphs is in its beautiful characters (I dare you not to fall completely in love with Lawrie), and their hope for the future that they never lose sight of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Child death, and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape
hannahrhian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This Lovely City was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It centres on Laurie Matthews, a young Jamaican who arrived in the UK on the Empire Windrush. Life hasn’t been easy for Lawrie but after two years he’s got a job as a postal deliverer, plays clarinet with a band in nightclubs , and plans to marry Evie, the girl next door who is the daughter of a white mother and an unknown Black father. Their lives and plans are thrown into chaos when Lawrie discovers a dead baby - a dead Black baby - in a pond at the local park.
I really loved Lawrie and Evie as a characters. They were both delightful, albeit realistically flawed. As a reader I was constantly rooting for them, wanting them and their love to overcome all the struggles that came their way. Other characters were less likeable but in some ways more interesting. Evie’s mother was utterly complex. A warm and cuddly mother she was not. She loved her daughter, yet was ashamed of her, tried to protect her yet did so in ways that alienated and harmed her.
Racism clearly plays a big role in the novel and its impacts are infuriating and heartbreaking. I felt racism was examined and portrayed in a fully-rounded, realistic and nuanced way - everything from sideways glances to openly hostile remarks, difficulty finding a job and accommodation to bricks being thrown through windows. And yet despite the racism and other heavy plot points the novel never felt heavy. Partly this is the generally sunny and optimistic nature of Lawrie and Evie. But I think it is also due to the warm, vibrant and close community they were part of, such as Lawrie’s fellow West Indian band mates.
I was also totally here for the mystery part of the novel. Who was the baby and who was responsible for her death? All sorts of secrets were uncovered in the search for the truth but these (mostly) never felt like surprising twists, more the result of imperfect people faced with imperfect options.
Well-written (I typical love books that move between alternate timelines) with many interesting sub-plots incorporated with the main narrative thread, thoroughly absorbing, delightful yet meaty. I can’t wait to see what Louise Hare comes up with next.
I really loved Lawrie and Evie as a characters. They were both delightful, albeit realistically flawed. As a reader I was constantly rooting for them, wanting them and their love to overcome all the struggles that came their way. Other characters were less likeable but in some ways more interesting. Evie’s mother was utterly complex. A warm and cuddly mother she was not. She loved her daughter, yet was ashamed of her, tried to protect her yet did so in ways that alienated and harmed her.
Racism clearly plays a big role in the novel and its impacts are infuriating and heartbreaking. I felt racism was examined and portrayed in a fully-rounded, realistic and nuanced way - everything from sideways glances to openly hostile remarks, difficulty finding a job and accommodation to bricks being thrown through windows. And yet despite the racism and other heavy plot points the novel never felt heavy. Partly this is the generally sunny and optimistic nature of Lawrie and Evie. But I think it is also due to the warm, vibrant and close community they were part of, such as Lawrie’s fellow West Indian band mates.
I was also totally here for the mystery part of the novel. Who was the baby and who was responsible for her death? All sorts of secrets were uncovered in the search for the truth but these (mostly) never felt like surprising twists, more the result of imperfect people faced with imperfect options.
Well-written (I typical love books that move between alternate timelines) with many interesting sub-plots incorporated with the main narrative thread, thoroughly absorbing, delightful yet meaty. I can’t wait to see what Louise Hare comes up with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Moderate: Child death
rosh's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
epellicci's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
This Lovely City is a gripping historical fiction full of mystery, emotion, and action. Hare writes wonderful, three dimensional characters that drive a story full of twists and shocking reveals. I found this book to be a real page turner and loved the way Hare built suspense and depth by switching between Lawrie and Evie's, and past and present perspectives.
Focused heavily on the prejudice and rascim faced by the black British and Jamaican communities in the 1950's, the themes of the story are painfully familiar to the prosecution still witnessed today. I found the book a moving insight into the terror and anger of a community let down and all too easily targeted.
Focused heavily on the prejudice and rascim faced by the black British and Jamaican communities in the 1950's, the themes of the story are painfully familiar to the prosecution still witnessed today. I found the book a moving insight into the terror and anger of a community let down and all too easily targeted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Vomit and Domestic abuse
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