chloebaboey's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
susannaobrien's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The characters of Nuri and Afra and the traumatic journey they experience felt very realistic, despite many scenes being written in somewhat of a trance-like state. The story felt both fast-paced and gripping at the same time as emulating the slow, warped sense of time that must be experienced as a refugee on the move.
Writing two stories that eventually meet each other (one in the present, one looking back) and take surprising turns, supported the themes of memory and the lengths our minds go to block out trauma, the loss of home and stability and the healing power of family and hope.
Christy Lefteri herself was never a refugee and instead is sharing the stories of those she has met, which raises some questions about who should tell these stories. Still, she absolutely writes with the respect and care these people deserve and has created a very poignant story that should hold a mirror up to the punitive and inhumane immigration policies enacted by the UK in particular.
Writing two stories that eventually meet each other (one in the present, one looking back) and take surprising turns, supported the themes of memory and the lengths our minds go to block out trauma, the loss of home and stability and the healing power of family and hope.
Christy Lefteri herself was never a refugee and instead is sharing the stories of those she has met, which raises some questions about who should tell these stories. Still, she absolutely writes with the respect and care these people deserve and has created a very poignant story that should hold a mirror up to the punitive and inhumane immigration policies enacted by the UK in particular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Rape and Drug abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Trafficking
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