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gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
What a heartbreaking story that, despite in my heart of hearts knowing something like this would befall Kofi and his loved ones, from an unassuming, slice-of-life first half it still shocked me!
This was full of laughter, friendships and childhood rivalries between cousins, a glimpse of life in upper Kwanta and suddenly a series of tragic events pertaining to accidental death, a sick sense of justice and slavery. My heart kept skipping over the anguish I felt.
This story was beautifully and perfectly captured within the art of prose and the layout of the words on the page helped to emphasise certain scenes through the power of the words used to describe them and how they were fashioned.
A sorrowful tale, but not withot hope. One that is important to read.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
imsoverycool's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, and Deportation
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and War
queer_bookwyrm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"Dreams are today's answers for tomorrow's questions."
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a historical fiction written in verse about a young Twi boy (modern day Nigeria). This was a beautiful and quick read. It kind of reminded me of Things Fall Apart.
We follow Kofi, an 11 year old boy of Upper Kwante, who asks many questions, has a crush on a girl, and has a rivalry with his cousin of the same name. Kofi has a good life with his family until he and others in his family are kidnapped by people from Lower Kwante in retaliation for something Kofi's older brother did.
I loved Kwame Alexander's writing in this. It was so accessible and beautiful and poetic. We learn a lot about how history and wisdom is wrapped up in oral storytelling. We also see the affects of the slave trade with England and America. The emergence of guns, and the brutality the people of the Gold Coast faced. Although it was a sad story, it ends on a note of hope.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Slavery, and Violence
daycia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Rape
stephanieswilley's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
readingonfordearlife's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Rape
annamorgan27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Kidnapping, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape
aliyas_encanto's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Slavery, Grief, and Colonisation
Minor: Child death and Death
purplepenning's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent