mgatt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
sazzit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
miamh's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
eleganthedgehogs's review against another edition
Most didn’t realise based on true event. When did appreciated more. Penny appreciated descriptions of Cardiff as lived there. Reviews 6@7 ( S half) 2@8 2 DF 1DR
wormytoby's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
marschki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
tevreads's review against another edition
4.0
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2021. ‘The Fortune Men’ by Nadifa Mohamed is a fictionalised retelling of the wrongful conviction a Somali man in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay, 1952. This story builds to the trial where the protagonist Mahmood is betrayed by the greed and embedded racism of witnesses and the courts. As a verdict is reached and the hanging takes place, Mahmood’s faith and sanity slip away as his belief in humanity and fairness are ripped away. Mohamed writes in a way that builds suspense and prophetic hope for the reader, it’s impossible not to feel remorse for the injustice of this innocent man. I didn’t know until the epilogue that this was a real account of criminal injustice, that Mahmood’s case was revisited many years later and deemed the first miscarriage of justice rectified by a British court. A powerful novel that is worthy of a Booker shortlist.
mayankshah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
ffionmorgan's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0