Reviews

Western Lane by Chetna Maroo

rosiefpb's review against another edition

4.0

I would've taken a longer novel with more about everyone. But a very interesting, moving, snapshot.

alyssaakdefusco's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

This book was a short and sweet look at how a family grieves through the lense of an 11 year old girl who lost her mother. Her perspective was very realistic and the way she related to her dad made my heart ache and yearn for their healing. I don't know anything about squash, but maybe if you do it will help you appreciate the book a bit more.

dani_doobiedoo's review against another edition

3.0

I appreciate how the book approached grief but sometimes it lost me. Also, i loved learning about how competitive and complicated squash is lol

sara_shocks's review against another edition

hopeful sad tense medium-paced

4.5

wow Maroo really got me following along for a sport I had never seen played / Gopi and her family are in such a heartbreaking situation

iris456's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-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

3.25

bekah_haip's review against another edition

5.0

“
Pa ran a thumb around the silver frame. After a long time, he put my racket on the table between us. "It is very nice," he said. "You did well." He said this, but with his eyes and his body - his shoulders, his throat, the white bones visible under his skin - he was telling us that in one day we had exposed him, left him behind, left him wide open to whatever was coming for him.”

“
In the car park, Ged had asked me if I had thought about what would happen after this. I had and I hadn't. I'd imagined as far as Durham and Cleveland, but then there was a wall. Now I was inside the wall, and all I could do was stay in it. “ 

slynn'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

4.0

poppysmic's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

twosday's review against another edition

reflective sad 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? Yes

4.25

janpringle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75