honest_life_mp3's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bahareads's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
By Love Possess is a collection of short stories that touch the heart. Some of them will make the reader incredible frustrated. Goodison starts strong and ends strong with this collection. Usually, when reading a collection of any kind (story stories, poems etc) I'll make my favourites in the table of contents, and with this work, I marked more stories than left them unmarked. I enjoyed how the love in these collections was not just romantic, but familiar and friendly love; violent love and undying love. The collection showcases all sides and emotions of love.
macquincy's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
stabigail_'s review
4.0
While this is no Alice Munro, I found Goodison's short stories enjoyable and textured. Some stories are heartbreaking, some are triumphant. There was a point somewhere in the middle when the violence against women (metaphorical or not) felt unrelenting, but the collection ended with a different voice and a upward look to the sky.
knightreader1988's review
5.0
It is so refreshing to read a collection of stories written in such simple yet beautiful language. It was my first time reading Ms Goodison's work and I want to read everything she has ever written and will ever write.
What did I like? A number of things but here are a few standouts:
1. The language - It was so clear and easy to read. One word: Fluid.
2. The story length - Short, sweet and just long enough to keep me interested. Real SHORT stories, not short-ish stories.
3. The endings - Though the stories were short they did not feel rushed. Every story ended where it should. Some authors either rush endings to make a page count or just keep writing to achieve their ending (Thus creating a short-ish short story). Ms Goodison wrote short stories that felt relaxed and perfectly timed.
4. The culture - I am not Jamaican but I am a Caribbean native and live in and love Jamaica. It was so lovely to read about and recognize such familiar places, words, personalities and names. If you have forgotten Jamaica, read this collection and it will jog your memory.
5. The cover - The book cover is as beautiful its content.
6. The content - Every story felt different yet important to the collection.
7. The brightness - There is a trend to show the dark side of Jamaica by authors today. Yes, Jamaica can be dark but it can also be bright and beautiful. I cannot tell you how lovely it was to just stay in the realm of light and truly just enjoy tales that feel real and familiar (with a little sprinkle of darkness here and there to add some flavor).
I am so happy to encounter a 5 star read in a world filled with 3 star reads. This kind of book is one you revisit through the years and share with your children because this is what good literature looks like. So, buy a copy, read it and keep it in a safe place for future rereads.
What did I like? A number of things but here are a few standouts:
1. The language - It was so clear and easy to read. One word: Fluid.
2. The story length - Short, sweet and just long enough to keep me interested. Real SHORT stories, not short-ish stories.
3. The endings - Though the stories were short they did not feel rushed. Every story ended where it should. Some authors either rush endings to make a page count or just keep writing to achieve their ending (Thus creating a short-ish short story). Ms Goodison wrote short stories that felt relaxed and perfectly timed.
4. The culture - I am not Jamaican but I am a Caribbean native and live in and love Jamaica. It was so lovely to read about and recognize such familiar places, words, personalities and names. If you have forgotten Jamaica, read this collection and it will jog your memory.
5. The cover - The book cover is as beautiful its content.
6. The content - Every story felt different yet important to the collection.
7. The brightness - There is a trend to show the dark side of Jamaica by authors today. Yes, Jamaica can be dark but it can also be bright and beautiful. I cannot tell you how lovely it was to just stay in the realm of light and truly just enjoy tales that feel real and familiar (with a little sprinkle of darkness here and there to add some flavor).
I am so happy to encounter a 5 star read in a world filled with 3 star reads. This kind of book is one you revisit through the years and share with your children because this is what good literature looks like. So, buy a copy, read it and keep it in a safe place for future rereads.
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