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mold_munchr's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Addiction and Drug use
Minor: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
ecn's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
themillennialjareads's review against another edition
- 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
Imagine being mothered by an ethereal being from another realm who chose to create roots on earth regardless of the consequences of a life she wasn't supposed to have. Kambirinachi's character pulled me in, tugging at vague memories of the Bhagavad Gita, the first time I remember asking questions of what is and what happens to the soul, spirit, body and mind. As someone who's fascinated by cultures and religions, of course those were the first places I went in my questioning.
This story reminded of the impermanence and fragility of humanity and how much we don't know. How much we can barely imagine but believe in.
Is any of *THIS* really determined by us? What comes after? Should we fear or welcome it?
I was fascinated by how Kambirinachi spoke of the body as a cage, with so many inhibitions and that's outside of the things (like size, expectations, shame, fear, crimes, desires...) that we as humans attach to and impose on bodies. Almost every religion has different ideas about what happens and what should happen to the body after life. Which parts of ourselves go with it and which parts survive? Which parts are our true essence? Is it our soul or our mind or our spirit? Or are they all one and the same?
"Death is not, in fact, a dreary, hooded, scythe-bearing bore. She is a doorway personified, vibrant and hilarious, quite whimsical, actually. But she takes her job very seriously, more diligently than the tides that pulls back the ocean's skirts."
I can see why this novel is loved. This author expresses herself so phenomenally, it's impossible not to pause while reading to better take in what's being said. I'm still not over it, I need to read more from her. It's definitely a favorite of the year, it's a perfect combination of some of my favourite things.
Many beings, melodies and voices guided this family across continents and to the very end. Taiye's adventures and pleasures were absolutely delicious and my heart broke for both her and Kehinde. What's the point of being a twin without the full experience? The parallel experiences gave me what I wanted, they were unstoppable, pushing through all the trauma and resistance. I found myself wanting to get to Kehinde's chapters faster, maybe it's the first person narrative that made it so alluring and seem so much more personal or maybe because she was the one with more vivid, somewhat reliable memories. Taiye struggled with suppressed and repressed memories and we see the fracture that aided in expanding. Even inherited traits and gifts moved through the family without each line knowing because of the disconnect and silence. But despite everything, the ending met us beautifully and there was nothing else but a feeling of peace for the characters. I almost forget they are not real.
I can't possibly fit everything I need to say here. If you're late to the party like me go read this book for the new year, it's a gift
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Homophobia, Infertility, and Abandonment
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Medical content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Miscarriage and Racism
Minor: Colonisation
lizzie24601's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
goldynnae's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Drug abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
arieloley's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual violence, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, and Pregnancy
schnooglefaceduthie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
electrifyingpenguin's review
- 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
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
nolongeremi's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Pregnancy