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horizonous's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved the friendship between Jai, Pari and Faiz and was surprised that I didn't mind the narration from a child's POV at all. However, the story is slow going and at times repetitive, so there's a bit of a slog in the middle until it picks back up towards the end where everything happens all at once and ends in just a couple of chapters. But I would definitely read from Deepa Anappara again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Racism, Sexism, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Slavery, and Trafficking
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Debut novelist Deepa Anappara carefully captures the epidemic of child disappearances in Indian slums, told from the perspective of a spirited basti child. An expert on police proceedings due to his religious observance of the TV show Police Patrol, young Jai convinces his friends to conduct the detective work necessary—due to local police incompetence—to find their missing classmates. In the seams of their escapades are the threads of their vibrant community—the culture is palpable in every moment. Jai tells an ultimately sorrowful story with the levity and excitement that can only come from a child; his voice is a bittersweet delight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Trafficking, and Pregnancy
dbear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry