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heathcliff's review
3.0
I am a big fan of The Book of Salt, and was excited to read Truong’s latest novel. But maybe it’s something about 2020 where even though I appreciate what she endeavours here, I can’t help but roll my eyes constantly at reading the shenanigans of a trifling white man.
The language and style is, of course, still exquisite and the novel interrogates the idea of history and who tells it, who it honours and what is its myth making, but as someone who does not know Lafcadio Hearn before this, the novel didn’t help to create any warm or strong feelings about his character, even till the end.
The language and style is, of course, still exquisite and the novel interrogates the idea of history and who tells it, who it honours and what is its myth making, but as someone who does not know Lafcadio Hearn before this, the novel didn’t help to create any warm or strong feelings about his character, even till the end.
breezie_reads's review against another edition
This book was nothing but words to me, so I had to stop. No feelings, no connections. Just words. I couldn't take it anymore, and I only made it 46 pages in.
lunabbly's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't my favorite Monique Truong book. I think it's interesting she would choose to tell the story of a man through women's eyes, women who were in this man's life.
Although I think she attempts to humanize villainy (a white man who basically abused and harassed women), I'm not sure that she humanized the women as much and gave them an objective other than to be perceived through the male gaze.
Despite being disappointed with this book's plot and characters, I am still giving it 2 stars because I think Monique is an excellent writer.
Although I think she attempts to humanize villainy (a white man who basically abused and harassed women), I'm not sure that she humanized the women as much and gave them an objective other than to be perceived through the male gaze.
Despite being disappointed with this book's plot and characters, I am still giving it 2 stars because I think Monique is an excellent writer.
glendareads39's review
4.0
The sweetest Fruits is about Greek Latin author, Lafcadio Hearn's life through four important women: his mother, two wives, and his first biographer. It is very much a snapshot approach: the three main narratives each come from a specific moment in time, and all look backwards into the past. His story is told through the eyes of his three wives. His first wife was a Greek woman who escaped from her confining life with her father and brothers. She came to Ireland in 1852 with her two year old son but was forced to leave without her husband soon after. His second wife is an African American former slave who, after the war, finds work as a cook in a boardinghouse. His third wife is Japanese and the daughter of a former samurai. This is fascinating and curious historical fiction novel.
hannah97j's review against another edition
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
y_sa2000's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
lowercasepoet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
3.0
cyruspapyrus's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jcharlton's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite. Followed one man through 3 continents by others telling his story. But I didn’t like him that much.