Reviews

One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Mala’s story is tragic, yet she shows how it is possible to recover from horrific trauma. The relationship she develops with her environment is beautiful and poetic.

crazytealady's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

3.0

dezlld's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful 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

4.25

I find this narrative style similar to that of Girl, Woman, Other, and love the way it unravels the generational impacts of colonialism, homophobia and misogyny. Though there is much darkness and much difficulty expressed in this story, I found the message to be overall hopeful for a queer, decolonialized future. The notions of acceptance of gender and sexual diversity in contrast to stories from a past that was rife with it was very impactful.

frankiesayrelax's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Content Warnings

rororosa's review against another edition

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mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

annie_lulu's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

Content Warnings

celinegaghadar's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Read as part of The Fold's reading challenge. August prompt: novel or book of poetry by a Caribbean author. Firstly serious CW for this book for sexual violence. There were parts that were graphic and quite difficult to get through.
This book was beautiful and heartbreaking, exploring themes of family, trauma, identity and nature. The end had the tears FLOWING. I really liked the writing style and personally appreciated all the descriptions of familiar foods (scotch bonnet pepper sauce, bandanya seasoning, stew and curry etc.) I thought the author did an excellent job of releasing information about the characters' back stories in a way that kept you wanting more but also helped to explain their behaviours and motivations. The weaving in of LGBTQ+ themes was done so artfully and for a book published in the early 90's it just reminds me that in every time period and every culture, these identities exist and are being represented and that gives me hope. Although a lot of this story was very sad, there were moments of joy, tenderness and healing which helped balance out the emotions. Would definitely read more by Mootoo!

Content Warnings

lettucemendham's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

4.75

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