abi_g_mac's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Slow to start but enjoyed it overall. There are some characters who are kept on the periphery who I think could have added more depth to the story.
Explores the impact of turning a blind eye to your own privilege and consequently other people's experiences, particularly in terms of immigration and disability.
Augusta seems to be the only member of her family who is outward looking and actively seeking to learn more about the wider world. Although this means she often comes across as a pretentious child she is ultimately a relatable and likable character.
The contrast between her early life and Parfait's are stark. Punctuated by tragedy Parfait's story weaves themes of civil war and violence through the narrative.
Both dreaming of escape to Spain it's obvious their paths will cross eventually, the tension is in when, how and will they learn the truth of the tragedy that connects them.
Explores the impact of turning a blind eye to your own privilege and consequently other people's experiences, particularly in terms of immigration and disability.
Augusta seems to be the only member of her family who is outward looking and actively seeking to learn more about the wider world. Although this means she often comes across as a pretentious child she is ultimately a relatable and likable character.
The contrast between her early life and Parfait's are stark. Punctuated by tragedy Parfait's story weaves themes of civil war and violence through the narrative.
Both dreaming of escape to Spain it's obvious their paths will cross eventually, the tension is in when, how and will they learn the truth of the tragedy that connects them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: War and Racism
bookforthought's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It took me a while to get to this book, so that once I did I had basically forgotten the synopsis entirely and went in almost completely blind. I have to say, it was probably for the best, as I probably would have ended up expecting something different!
The Other Half of Augusta Hope is a bittersweet story about love, grief and finding your place in the world. Augusta is an endearing main character, even though she's not always likeable (but then again, who is?). She is brilliant and curious about the world, loves Burundi despite having never been there, and struggles greatly with life in her small town, despite her deep, deep love for her twin sister Julia. In parallel, the story follows Parfait, a young man from Burundi whose life is very different from Augusta's. When tragedy strikes both of them differently, each will have to work out where they belong.
I really liked the characterisation in this novel: every character was beautifully drawn, imperfections and all, and felt like truly individual, even the minor characters. The characters' feelings and emotions were particularly well fleshed out, which is something I always appreciate. The parallels between Augusta's and Parfait's lives flowed smoothly for most of the novel, and the transitions were handled very well. There were a few times when the move felt a bit clunky, but overall these were few and far between enough to ignore. The story development was engaging, though I won't go into too much more detail to avoid potential spoilers. I will say though: that ending was everything!
I had some issues with the pacing in this book though: at times it felt like it was really dragging along and not much was happening either in terms of plot or character development. The parts where things got moving made up for this, but it was still tough to wade through those parts. There was also a heavy reliance on miscommunication/lack of communication as a plot device, which is something I personally dislike, so my enjoyment of this novel was affected by how annoyed I was getting at the characters for not talking to each other. This is purely down to personal preference though!
Overall, this book was fairly engaging to read and definitely had some memorable characters. I'll be looking out for more books by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Racism
frogglin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
In her early life, Augusta Hope is an insufferable brat but she grows into herself. The threads of tragedy are laid out early with parallel stories from Augusta in England and Parfait who is living through a civil war and genocide in Burundi. His long path to escape to Spain draws against Augusta's own plans to leave behind her dull sedate life in a suburban street. Only her twin sister Julia is keeping her around her family home.
The story draws you gently along toward conclusions that you know are coming, and will be tragic, but there is an inevitability to them. They cannot be stopped, only glimpsed in advance. Family secrets, and family heartbreaks roll on but never with a sense of shock value or throwing something in for the sake of making the reader gasp.
The three worlds of Burundi, England and Spain are each filled with a cast of characters who all bring something to the story, even if only fleetingly.
Not entirely a "joy" to read, for many reasons, it is still a pleasure to spend time with Augusta and Parfait and their collection of friends and family.
The story draws you gently along toward conclusions that you know are coming, and will be tragic, but there is an inevitability to them. They cannot be stopped, only glimpsed in advance. Family secrets, and family heartbreaks roll on but never with a sense of shock value or throwing something in for the sake of making the reader gasp.
The three worlds of Burundi, England and Spain are each filled with a cast of characters who all bring something to the story, even if only fleetingly.
Not entirely a "joy" to read, for many reasons, it is still a pleasure to spend time with Augusta and Parfait and their collection of friends and family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Child death
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Rape, Racism, and Animal death
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