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katewhite77's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The fictionalised account of a siege that took place over thirty years ago is sadly more relevant today than at any time in the intervening years.
Telling the story of the seige of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo in the 90's. I think it is a book you should read if you want to know what it is like for ordinary people caught up in a conflict zone. How easy it is to go from living a normal life one minute to an extraordinary the next. The amazing community spirit that can spring up in amongst the tragedy of war.
Given the subject matter, this is a very hard-hitting book. However, it was not as brutal as I was expecting. It is just about sanitised enough for the average reader to get something from.
Graphic: Violence, Child death, and War
nibs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Thoughts after finishing it:
I'm so emotional. I like historical fiction, but the author has done an amazing job pulling me into Zora's world. I feel it. The imagery as well - of black butterflies, or her apartment building, Sarajevo as a character itself. I understand why it was shortlisted for the Women's Prize.
In the acknowledgements it says how the author's family's experience parallels the book -
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Confinement
minniepauline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Violence, Infidelity, War, and Death
Moderate: Islamophobia and Religious bigotry
amyford's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Child death, War, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Confinement, and Excrement
pagesintranslation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: War, Racism, Gore, and Violence
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
bookbinbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Confinement and War
Moderate: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Islamophobia, Child death, Vomit, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Excrement
Minor: Infidelity and Rape
jemima_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Violence and War
ciaomara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child death, War, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Body horror, Infidelity, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Rape
rochelles_reading_journal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Death, and Infidelity