amyvl93's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
You People is a novel that covers some serious and important topics, but was one I didn't ever quite find compelling enough to want to really pick up.
The novel is based around a pizza restaurant in London, where the staff are all people looking for a new start. The plot focuses in particular on waitress Nia, who has left her alcoholic mother behind in Wales, and chef Shan, who has fled war in Sri Lanka and is haunted by the guilt of not knowing what has happened to his wife and son. The restaurant is managed by Tuli, an enigmatic character with his fingers in many pies, and the other staff are all also migrants from various parts of the world.
There are some moments in the novel that really highlight, similar to The Beekeeper of Aleppo the experience of those seeking a new life in the UK, legally or not. The raids on businesses by Home Office staff are incredibly evocatively written. However, much of the novel is a bit of a plod through Nia trying to work out how she feels about Tuli's range of work and Shan's day-to-day life. The plot escalates quite dramatically over the final third of the novel and I was slightly unsure about how earned that felt.
Some interesting topics covered here, but there are many other novels that look at similar things in a slightly more accomplished way.
The novel is based around a pizza restaurant in London, where the staff are all people looking for a new start. The plot focuses in particular on waitress Nia, who has left her alcoholic mother behind in Wales, and chef Shan, who has fled war in Sri Lanka and is haunted by the guilt of not knowing what has happened to his wife and son. The restaurant is managed by Tuli, an enigmatic character with his fingers in many pies, and the other staff are all also migrants from various parts of the world.
There are some moments in the novel that really highlight, similar to The Beekeeper of Aleppo the experience of those seeking a new life in the UK, legally or not. The raids on businesses by Home Office staff are incredibly evocatively written. However, much of the novel is a bit of a plod through Nia trying to work out how she feels about Tuli's range of work and Shan's day-to-day life. The plot escalates quite dramatically over the final third of the novel and I was slightly unsure about how earned that felt.
Some interesting topics covered here, but there are many other novels that look at similar things in a slightly more accomplished way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking, War, Alcoholism, Deportation, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia
cooeeaus's review against another edition
I started off well but I came to find it slow and boring, after I put it down I found I couldn't pick it up again.
wrens's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book I kinda picked up spontaneously, usually i go to the library w a set of books i wanna read and collect them that way. But man this was actually written so intriguingly well and the plot was simple and real. The title is a good choice too! I'd love to read more books like this
buecher_und_huehner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
mistercrow's review against another edition
DNF - had a hard time focusing and getting into the story, the writing style isn’t for me.
janewembridge's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was just okay. I have read better books about the immigrant experience and the more interesting themes like the morality of Thuli and the motivations behind his work weren't really explored. Everything seemed quite rushed and surface level despite the important and tense topic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Trafficking
Moderate: Alcoholism, Xenophobia, and Infidelity
lawinbehold's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
limonik's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
This book is full of possible storylines that do not really lead anywhere, full of characters who lack a certain depth to get the story going. I did not care for any of the characters and plot lines. I also would have liked to know more about the events in Sri Lanka. A bit disappointing.
kayla85's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5