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A review by book_of_the_north
The List by Yomi Adegoke
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I can't decide if this book did to me everything it was trying to and my responses to it were by design and cleverly crafted or I just didn't get on with it.
I felt disconnected from the utter horror on the page for the vast majority. Whilst reading I found myself frustrated with the characters and the writing style, passing much judgement, feeling at ease to stop mid chapter and pick up and put down without much thought. Treating it like a soap opera or reality TV show or .....TMZ...
On reflection, I'm sat here connecting the characters experience and the public reaction, drawing parallels to IRL celebrities and it hit me....did I just engage with this book exactly the same way I engaged with those real people and real life experiences?
Did Yomi Adegoke just do that, and do that intentionally?
For now all I can say is that my experience reflecting on the book was more enjoyable than my time reading it.
I'll definitely keep an eye on future releases from this author but I don't think I can fit this into a neat or fair star rating so I'm not going to try.
I felt disconnected from the utter horror on the page for the vast majority. Whilst reading I found myself frustrated with the characters and the writing style, passing much judgement, feeling at ease to stop mid chapter and pick up and put down without much thought. Treating it like a soap opera or reality TV show or .....TMZ...
On reflection, I'm sat here connecting the characters experience and the public reaction, drawing parallels to IRL celebrities and it hit me....did I just engage with this book exactly the same way I engaged with those real people and real life experiences?
Did Yomi Adegoke just do that, and do that intentionally?
For now all I can say is that my experience reflecting on the book was more enjoyable than my time reading it.
I'll definitely keep an eye on future releases from this author but I don't think I can fit this into a neat or fair star rating so I'm not going to try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
This book describes the impacts of sexual violence, public responses. Shame, depression, anxiety and the consequences of mental health are a strong themes. Suicidal ideation and suicide are described in detail as is rape Please take caution.