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A review by bookishbee27
Wandering Souls by Cécile Pin
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
A fascinating, multi-generational exploration of asylum seeking and immigrant life written beautifully.
The good: I was really drawn in by the historical context Wandering Souls is set in and the issues addressed as the fleeing from Vietnam following the Vietnam War and resettlement of refugees in the UK under Thatcher's government is not something I had any prior knowledge of. Pin has clearly researched this well and paints a comprehensive picture of these issues which I found highly educational. I loved how the characters were written and found their voices to be rich and interesting throughout.
The not-so-good: For me, Wandering Souls lacked much going on and I would argue it was a slow burn rather than plot driven. At times this meant I wasn't reaching for it or that compelled.
I would draw similarities with Black Butterflies in covering an important and often overlooked period of history and social issues, but needing more plot development.
The good: I was really drawn in by the historical context Wandering Souls is set in and the issues addressed as the fleeing from Vietnam following the Vietnam War and resettlement of refugees in the UK under Thatcher's government is not something I had any prior knowledge of. Pin has clearly researched this well and paints a comprehensive picture of these issues which I found highly educational. I loved how the characters were written and found their voices to be rich and interesting throughout.
The not-so-good: For me, Wandering Souls lacked much going on and I would argue it was a slow burn rather than plot driven. At times this meant I wasn't reaching for it or that compelled.
I would draw similarities with Black Butterflies in covering an important and often overlooked period of history and social issues, but needing more plot development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and War
Minor: Drug use