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katy_bee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A really beautifully written book with some very dark themes. The early section was the most compelling for me. I thought the child's perspective on a confusing adult political situation was really well done. The latter half felt disappointed and lost- very intentionally as it mirrored the characters experience
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Usually I'm having difficulties with child characters in stories. Very often I find their thoughts and dialogues unbelievable, but this wasn't the case here. I really enjoyed reading about the daily life and the adventures Darling and her friends went on. Maybe I would have preferred one or two characters less, because not all of them were portrayed really memorably.
The author did a good job in letting the place and the experiences the protagonists had coming alive on the page.
Can't really say which part I enjoyed more, the one that takes place in Zimbabwe or the one in the US. Both are similar important to the story, so I had no preference.
The only criticism I have is that Bulawayo tries too hard to cover numerous themes and therefore can't really go into depth with most of them. This is a short book, so most of the covered topics stay quite on the surface and aren't explored enough. Which I would have been really interested in.
The author did a good job in letting the place and the experiences the protagonists had coming alive on the page.
Can't really say which part I enjoyed more, the one that takes place in Zimbabwe or the one in the US. Both are similar important to the story, so I had no preference.
The only criticism I have is that Bulawayo tries too hard to cover numerous themes and therefore can't really go into depth with most of them. This is a short book, so most of the covered topics stay quite on the surface and aren't explored enough. Which I would have been really interested in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Dementia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, War, and Injury/Injury detail