A review by sharrivel
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan

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

4.5

This book follows a young woman who’s goal is to become a doctor, however her country of Sri Lanka goes through a civil war. Life changes for her, her family, and her friends as they all take different roles during the war. 

I was unfamiliar with the Sri Lankan Civil War, so much that I didn’t even know that it happened. Brotherless Night was informative and it also told the stories of various people and the atrocities committed by all sides. It started slow at first, and then it picked up to really showcase how normal her and her brother’s lives were. I thought some of the romance came out of nowhere and I really wish that relationship was more fleshed out. 

I still recommend this book, especially since I feel it’s about something that isn’t mentioned in American textbooks. 
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