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A review by aishallnot
Rosewater by Liv Little
challenging
reflective
tense
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
3.5
3.5 rounded up to 4
I enjoy a good coming of age story, especially when the mc is in their 20s. This i think was a decent debut but i kinda have mixed feelings.
First, i love how diverse this book with the characters. I feel like this definitely served a purpose in regards to the ethnic backgrounds of the characters as well as the queer community in london. Elsie is definitely going through it (though she can be hard to root for at times) and it was refreshing to see how she has people that she can reach to for support besides her family. She's very close with her grandmother and i loved seeing that relationship whenever she was showcased. I also liked maggie and how she was almost like an auntie to elsie and encouraged to use her gift of her writing as well as her voice (something her grandmother also strongly instilled in her) .
Speaking of which, i definitely related to elsie at times in terms of not being openly vulnerable and even wanting to become a best selling poet/writer. i loved how she has the determination to go after what she wants and expresses herself through writing instead of speaking (i definitely do that ðŸ˜).
Now, here's where some things fell short. I feel like plot wise,this could have been another 20-30 pages or so because the ending definitely felt rushed with the car crash (which might have been the climax?). We didn't really get to see elsie and juliet have a proper closure after the fight they had. Sure they made up, but the story just ends kinda abruptly imo almost like its a start of something new between them but that's it.
The writing was fine and easy to read (not a lot jargon-y words), but i kinda wish there was more showing how the characters feel than telling. Especially with a book so written emotion heavy, i feel that we didn't get to see that until the end.
Lastly, there were some plot points and even like 1-2 characters i wish were shown more.The biggest one probably elsie's mom and the infidelity. I wasn't the biggest fan of her, but i wish we got to see her address the situation with elsie more and the two of them talk it out, but now i think its bc elsie wasn't on good terms with her mom and she didn't think much of her dad cheating . Another thing to add is that elsie's parents and their relationship could have been explored more on the outlook of love.
And then there's andrew who was kinda there to be an antagonist but also create a love triangle...anyways.
Again i think this is a decent debut and i don't think its a bad book. I just felt there was something missing within the story and now finishing it i can think what could have been added. I heard the author has another book so I'm intrigued to see what she will wrote next.
I enjoy a good coming of age story, especially when the mc is in their 20s. This i think was a decent debut but i kinda have mixed feelings.
First, i love how diverse this book with the characters. I feel like this definitely served a purpose in regards to the ethnic backgrounds of the characters as well as the queer community in london. Elsie is definitely going through it (though she can be hard to root for at times) and it was refreshing to see how she has people that she can reach to for support besides her family. She's very close with her grandmother and i loved seeing that relationship whenever she was showcased. I also liked maggie and how she was almost like an auntie to elsie and encouraged to use her gift of her writing as well as her voice (something her grandmother also strongly instilled in her) .
Speaking of which, i definitely related to elsie at times in terms of not being openly vulnerable and even wanting to become a best selling poet/writer. i loved how she has the determination to go after what she wants and expresses herself through writing instead of speaking (i definitely do that ðŸ˜).
Now, here's where some things fell short. I feel like plot wise,
The writing was fine and easy to read (not a lot jargon-y words), but i kinda wish there was more showing how the characters feel than telling. Especially with a book so written emotion heavy, i feel that we didn't get to see that until the end.
Lastly, there were some plot points and even like 1-2 characters i wish were shown more.
Again i think this is a decent debut and i don't think its a bad book. I just felt there was something missing within the story and now finishing it i can think what could have been added. I heard the author has another book so I'm intrigued to see what she will wrote next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Blood