sevachkaa's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed Bennett's writing. The novel is expansive and deeply explores the multi-generational family saga that is the lives of the Vignes. She cleverly and effectively tackles the often-sensitive issue of racial identity, confronting bigotry swiftly and cleanly. I read it in one sitting and took to heart the warning of the corrosive effects of secrecy.
My own complaint: the ending felt abrupt. What happened to Stella? How did her relationship continue to grow with her daughter now that she revealed her secret to her? What about her family unit as a whole, with her husband kept intentionally out of his wife's life? It felt poetic, and perhaps I failed to understand it completely, but I would've liked some concreteness in the ending.
My own complaint: the ending felt abrupt. What happened to Stella? How did her relationship continue to grow with her daughter now that she revealed her secret to her? What about her family unit as a whole, with her husband kept intentionally out of his wife's life? It felt poetic, and perhaps I failed to understand it completely, but I would've liked some concreteness in the ending.
megankrom's review against another edition
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
4.5
pn_hinton's review against another edition
5.0
This book was infinitely more beautiful and poetic than I expected it to be. The writing was extremely lyrical and it dealt with a multitude of different issues with a kind hand. Even if Stella wasn't my favorite person, I could also understand and I appreciated how the author managed to tell the story from four different women's POVs and managed to make each voice unique and balance it all out.
There are a few content and trigger warnings for assault and racist language and scenarios. But again I felt it did it really well. Highly recommend.
There are a few content and trigger warnings for assault and racist language and scenarios. But again I felt it did it really well. Highly recommend.
charlotatot's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely story, beautiful characters. Can't wait to watch an adaptation!
nilla_'s review against another edition
Kind of wanted to cry at the deft interlacing of the timelines, the historical backdrop that never felt too heavy-handed, & the intimate, loving characterization of each character; kind of wanted to deck every time she opened her mouth. Both feelings can exist simultaneously.
Spoiler
Kennedykleinstein's review against another edition
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
4.5
brianna_4pawsandabook's review against another edition
4.0
Full review to come! I really enjoyed this book and the family dynamic was really interesting, but I feel like the cast of "main characters" that we were supposed to care about and be invested in was just so large, that we didn't get enough of them.