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kirei_eyes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Murder, and Sexual harassment
stephanie_jmc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.75
Another book club read! I really enjoyed this one - giving it an 8.8/10. It was a very insightful and interesting read.
This novel follows the stories of three BIPOC women who are residing in Sweden with an emphasis on the unique struggles they face in light of the various reasons that brought them to Sweden, as well as their different levels of privilege. The stories are interwoven and occasionally overlap as all three women were, in some way, brought to the country by the same man. This book is one of the most well-written books I’ve ever read - the balance of being descriptive enough to paint a picture while not droning on, as well as making it intellectually stimulating and simple to understand at the same time. This book sheds light on so many systemic issues regarding race, autism, sexism, wealth, suicide, and general privilege in an honest, yet non-attacking approach. I think it’s an excellent conversation starter and I found it very interesting because I always viewed Sweden as a much more progressive place and this book served as a reminder of the very real barriers that exist everywhere for minorities. I did not love the ending of this book due to lack of closure with some of the stories, and it is an incredibly sad and thought-provoking book.
I would absolutely recommend to anyone!
This novel follows the stories of three BIPOC women who are residing in Sweden with an emphasis on the unique struggles they face in light of the various reasons that brought them to Sweden, as well as their different levels of privilege. The stories are interwoven and occasionally overlap as all three women were, in some way, brought to the country by the same man. This book is one of the most well-written books I’ve ever read - the balance of being descriptive enough to paint a picture while not droning on, as well as making it intellectually stimulating and simple to understand at the same time. This book sheds light on so many systemic issues regarding race, autism, sexism, wealth, suicide, and general privilege in an honest, yet non-attacking approach. I think it’s an excellent conversation starter and I found it very interesting because I always viewed Sweden as a much more progressive place and this book served as a reminder of the very real barriers that exist everywhere for minorities. I did not love the ending of this book due to lack of closure with some of the stories, and it is an incredibly sad and thought-provoking book.
I would absolutely recommend to anyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Suicide, Violence, and War
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual harassment
eslsilver's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death and Abortion
cherryblossomgirl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
2.75
The author is a good writer. However, I just didn't like the decisions these characters kept making. They were so shallow and selfish. It's really quite a depressing read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
vvsmydiamonds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
2.5
I read nearly 400 pages in hopes of a satisfactory ending for each of the hopeful protagonists— I was disappointed. As always, I wanted to love this book but it appears it wasn’t made for me.
Also, I strongly dislike the untranslated Swedish conversations, specifically those between Jonny’s family. How are you gonna publish a book in English and not make it a point to translate arguments between secondary characters? I had to pull out a pencil, paper, and good ol’ google translate multiple times.
Also, I strongly dislike the untranslated Swedish conversations, specifically those between Jonny’s family. How are you gonna publish a book in English and not make it a point to translate arguments between secondary characters? I had to pull out a pencil, paper, and good ol’ google translate multiple times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Islamophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Terminal illness, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
bookishevy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
This book is told from the perspectives of three Black women living in Sweden.
Kemi - a successful Nigerian-American marketing executive who is enticed by Jonny von Lundin to move to Stockholm and clean up a racially tone-deaf campaign turned PR fiasco at his marketing firm. Kemi also sees this as an opportunity to shake up her love life.
Brittany - a Jamaican-American model-turned-flight attendant who Jonny thrusts onto the lap of privilege after a chance encounter in business class leads to his obsession with her.
Muna - a Somali refugee who finds a job as a janitor in Jonny's office after losing the people closest to her. Muna is working toward becoming a permanent resident of Sweden and seeks a sense of belonging more than anything.
There's so much being explored in this read. The isolation one feels when they immigrate to a new country, especially as a Black woman in a mostly white country. The privileged expecting the oppressed to do the work of dismantling racist systems the former's ancestors put in place. How even with wealth and all that comes with it Black women are still othered. How society dictates what we look for in a mate and how giving into these ideals can lead to unhappiness. The importance of processing trauma and loss and providing the proper supports to someone with developmental disabilities. The xenophobia and challenges refugees face while trying to make something of themselves in a new country.
I empathized most with Muna because, unlike Kemi and Brittany who chose to uproot their lives and move to Sweden, she fled her home to survive. Her desperation to make a connection is palpable. She's sensitive and a bit naive but she notices things as at Jonny's firm. Through her little interactions with Jonny the reader sees Jonny for who he truly is.
This story with so many isms: racism, sexism, classism, tokenism, fetishism, ends on a cliffhanger. I'm on to book two.
Kemi - a successful Nigerian-American marketing executive who is enticed by Jonny von Lundin to move to Stockholm and clean up a racially tone-deaf campaign turned PR fiasco at his marketing firm. Kemi also sees this as an opportunity to shake up her love life.
Brittany - a Jamaican-American model-turned-flight attendant who Jonny thrusts onto the lap of privilege after a chance encounter in business class leads to his obsession with her.
Muna - a Somali refugee who finds a job as a janitor in Jonny's office after losing the people closest to her. Muna is working toward becoming a permanent resident of Sweden and seeks a sense of belonging more than anything.
There's so much being explored in this read. The isolation one feels when they immigrate to a new country, especially as a Black woman in a mostly white country. The privileged expecting the oppressed to do the work of dismantling racist systems the former's ancestors put in place. How even with wealth and all that comes with it Black women are still othered. How society dictates what we look for in a mate and how giving into these ideals can lead to unhappiness. The importance of processing trauma and loss and providing the proper supports to someone with developmental disabilities. The xenophobia and challenges refugees face while trying to make something of themselves in a new country.
I empathized most with Muna because, unlike Kemi and Brittany who chose to uproot their lives and move to Sweden, she fled her home to survive. Her desperation to make a connection is palpable. She's sensitive and a bit naive but she notices things as at Jonny's firm. Through her little interactions with Jonny the reader sees Jonny for who he truly is.
This story with so many isms: racism, sexism, classism, tokenism, fetishism, ends on a cliffhanger. I'm on to book two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Classism
titagee's review against another edition
Very triggering for someone who has experienced sexual assault. I just don't understand why a Black woman would allow a white man liberties she would not allow a Black man. SMH
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
mikaclapson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship
abigalelouise12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Abortion