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A review by whatcourtneyreads
Kokomo by Victoria Hannan
4.0
"Aruba, Jamaica, oh I want to take you to
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama..." etc etc
Mina is a 32 y.o. Melbourne woman living in London, and we open on a scene that graphically describes a penis. No biggie. Pun not intended.
During the penis encounter, Mina gets a call from her BFF in Melbourne telling her to come home as her reclusive mother Elaine has left the house for the first time in 12 years.
In essence, this book is about family - both blood and chosen. It explores the secrets families keep from each other and queries whether knowing the truth is ever really better.
It is pure coincidence that I've read two books in a row set in Melbourne but was a happy surprise. It means I get sucked into the scene immediately, being able to envision the houses, the landmarks, even feeling the weather.
I identified with Mina straight away, as I always tend to do with an early 30s protagonist who has a couple of chips on their shoulder.
I loved the way the characters were written and felt like each of them could be someone I've known. I'm sure many of us have had the experience of seeing people from a previous life and finding some are the same people we loved before (Kira) and others not so much (Shelley).
The relationships between characters was also well written, and I could feel the love they had for each other. The Kira / Mina friendship and Valerie / Mina particularly warmed the cockles of my heart.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is I didn't quite buy Mina's mother Elaine as a character, and the reason she became a recluse. I was confused by the story of unrequited love and didn't find it very convincing or fully developed; it almost felt a bit rushed?
In any case, I still thoroughly enjoyed this one and would happily read anything else that Victoria Hannan writes.
If you enjoyed Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, or even Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (although Kokomo isn't as dark) then give Kokomo a go
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama..." etc etc
Mina is a 32 y.o. Melbourne woman living in London, and we open on a scene that graphically describes a penis. No biggie. Pun not intended.
During the penis encounter, Mina gets a call from her BFF in Melbourne telling her to come home as her reclusive mother Elaine has left the house for the first time in 12 years.
In essence, this book is about family - both blood and chosen. It explores the secrets families keep from each other and queries whether knowing the truth is ever really better.
It is pure coincidence that I've read two books in a row set in Melbourne but was a happy surprise. It means I get sucked into the scene immediately, being able to envision the houses, the landmarks, even feeling the weather.
I identified with Mina straight away, as I always tend to do with an early 30s protagonist who has a couple of chips on their shoulder.
I loved the way the characters were written and felt like each of them could be someone I've known. I'm sure many of us have had the experience of seeing people from a previous life and finding some are the same people we loved before (Kira) and others not so much (Shelley).
The relationships between characters was also well written, and I could feel the love they had for each other. The Kira / Mina friendship and Valerie / Mina particularly warmed the cockles of my heart.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is I didn't quite buy Mina's mother Elaine as a character, and the reason she became a recluse. I was confused by the story of unrequited love and didn't find it very convincing or fully developed; it almost felt a bit rushed?
In any case, I still thoroughly enjoyed this one and would happily read anything else that Victoria Hannan writes.
If you enjoyed Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, or even Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (although Kokomo isn't as dark) then give Kokomo a go