sachimi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
aoispice's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Bryan's writing of the characters and description was great but I found the book overall not so enjoyable. While it does touch on family, healing and trauma well, I kind of wanted more. I thought Greta was actually Anita's dead twin and she had an 'unfortuante attack' or something from one of the parents.
I did think Beth's story was the highlight of the book. But now my only question to the author is why it was called Bernard and the Cloth Monkey? I'm curious.
I did think Beth's story was the highlight of the book. But now my only question to the author is why it was called Bernard and the Cloth Monkey? I'm curious.
literarylocd's review
dark
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kinda super trippy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
danisacchi's review
5.0
I really grieved the ending of this book. The characters are so rich and believable. Judith Bryan masters the depiction of childhood trauma fleshing out in our relationships and day-to-day life/experiences. I feel sad parting from this book but I'm not disappointed in its ending - like the rest of the novel, Bryan ended it realistically. As a reader, I appreciate the genuineness of the story and dreamy playfulness in writing style. I'm a forever fan of Judith Bryan because of "Bernard and the Cloth Monkey."
ruthie_'s review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
rosielazar1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
simonesr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.75
anonreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookofcinz's review
3.0
Bernard and the Cloth Monkey is one of the books in the Black Britain Writing Back series that Bernardine Evaristo curated. This curation came out of the need for to bring back lost writing into circulation, especially books that tells of the Black Britain experience.
Judith Bryan writes a book that makes you think and thoroughly explores the theme of sisterhood, grief, trauma and mother-daughter relationships. The book opens up with the death of Bernard, the father and breadwinner of the house. With his death, his long suffering wife heads off to a Caribbean cruise with her sister. Beth is the daughter who decided to return home and assist her ailing father, even after he dies, she does not leave home. Beth’s sister Anita returns home after being gone for over two years, even with the death of her father she does not return home. With these two sisters being home together, a lot of family secrets are exposed, cracks emerges, and confrontation happens.
I felt this book was well written and told a strong story. Yes, there were some areas that I wish could be named or stated clearly. At times I felt I was second guessing what was happening in the book, so I do think the writing could be clearer- or maybe I am looking to be spoon fed.
If you love themes around sisterhood, mental illness and motherhood, this is a great place to start.
Judith Bryan is a great writer and I am happy I got to read this book.
Judith Bryan writes a book that makes you think and thoroughly explores the theme of sisterhood, grief, trauma and mother-daughter relationships. The book opens up with the death of Bernard, the father and breadwinner of the house. With his death, his long suffering wife heads off to a Caribbean cruise with her sister. Beth is the daughter who decided to return home and assist her ailing father, even after he dies, she does not leave home. Beth’s sister Anita returns home after being gone for over two years, even with the death of her father she does not return home. With these two sisters being home together, a lot of family secrets are exposed, cracks emerges, and confrontation happens.
I felt this book was well written and told a strong story. Yes, there were some areas that I wish could be named or stated clearly. At times I felt I was second guessing what was happening in the book, so I do think the writing could be clearer- or maybe I am looking to be spoon fed.
If you love themes around sisterhood, mental illness and motherhood, this is a great place to start.
Judith Bryan is a great writer and I am happy I got to read this book.
absolutive's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This is a really horrifying book, like a subtle ghost story. A young woman returns to the family home in London after the death of her father. She deliberately dawdles so as to miss the funeral and arrives after her mother has left for a vacation. She and her sister spend time together in the house, which is itself almost a character that haunts them. Slowly we learn about their trauma, the hidden, unspoken, unbelieved costs that these women paid for their parents' quiet, successful middle-class English life. It's as if their parents made some bargain to leave their Caribbean Isle, gain the success they want, and sacrifice their children. We see it and the struggle for Black first generation British lives in England, all through the women's eyes and the house after their parents are gone, circling around, rising in the clouds and winds of ghost-like memories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Incest, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide attempt
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