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asourceoffiction's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Filled with quiet, poetic beauty. This is a novel to savour, drink in, enjoy in quiet moments.
I find a second-person narrative always takes a few chapters to get used to. But this lent itself so well to the story; it gives events an inevitability, like the central couple only had so much control over what was coming.
The whole thing is kind of wistful, and the two main characters (whose names we never learn) lead each other in an intense dance filled with emotion and inner conflict about growing up black in London.
I love the showcase the book gives to black art and music, and how that inspires these characters and their relationship. It forms a counterpoint to the racism that's endemic in how they are seen (or not seen), and shows how important it is to continue championing black voices. A really powerful book.
I find a second-person narrative always takes a few chapters to get used to. But this lent itself so well to the story; it gives events an inevitability, like the central couple only had so much control over what was coming.
The whole thing is kind of wistful, and the two main characters (whose names we never learn) lead each other in an intense dance filled with emotion and inner conflict about growing up black in London.
I love the showcase the book gives to black art and music, and how that inspires these characters and their relationship. It forms a counterpoint to the racism that's endemic in how they are seen (or not seen), and shows how important it is to continue championing black voices. A really powerful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Murder
_nicole_g's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Racial slurs and Grief
ritanevescunha's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
phoebegrace06's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Beautiful story! The best book I’ve ever read & I’ve never felt so much from reading & a book has never taught me as much as this one! Perfection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, and Murder
allyjshand's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
A poetic novella delving into love and life as a black person in South East London. The young couple traverse from friendship into the open waters of a relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Death
hannahdotmay's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Police brutality