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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Antisemitism
Wonderful writing and I enjoyed the setting, but the number of characters was a bit overwhelming and there were times I lost the plot as result.
This was a heartbreakingly beautiful story. I felt immense rage towards the injustice faced by the characters in the story and found myself nearly in tears in their moments of triumph and resilience. It made me realize a lot of what we have and know today, we owe to the people who paved the way before us who made unfathomable sacrifices in the process. I cannot believe how much most of what happened in the book is still happening up to this day. That even now despite major upheavals and changes throughout history, the iron fist of discrimination and racism is still well and alive not just in America but all across the globe. Continously hammering on many defenseless lives and twisting the narrative of the generations to come.
slow-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I toy between a 2 to 3 star on this one and of that, I am so let down. I loved the title of the book and have been waiting for it forever. It was not at all what I expected and it feels like the story stagnates so many times, or I ask myself "What story?" There were enough good moments for it to garner a 3 star, but I'm bewildered on the high reviews.
Reading this book was like listening to the most interesting old person you know talk about their childhood. It definitely contains and addresses mature themes, but I found the story it tells about human nature and resilience to be truly compelling and beautiful. I particularly enjoyed the audiobook narration which I picked up about halfway through the book when my library loan for the physical copy ran out. I think this book will be on my mind for a while.
Bit of a slog, preachy in parts. Read for book club otherwise doubt I would have finished. Meandering tale with many detours. I felt also like he could have fleshed out the characters more.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No