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serendipitysbooks's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
I really enjoyed The Narrows, although I did find the structure to be challenging. The integration of flashbacks and the switch between past and present was so seamless that it sometimes made it difficult to tell when something was happening. Overall this books required just a bit more mental bandwidth in places than I had available. Sadly, I’m also lacking the mental energy to write the sort of review this book deserves so I’ll settle for just a couple of quick comments.
Ann Perry’s writing stunned once again particularly the vivid way she portrayed her characters and The Narrows, a mostly Black community in a white town in Connecticut, where the story unfolds. Although originally published in 1953 the commentary on race and class, especially the danger entitled wealthy white women can pose to Black men, felt especially topical. I really appreciated the sections which focussed on the role of newspapers in reporting and thus shaping the news, and the way their wealthy owners can attempt to compromise the impartiality of the reporting. Again this feels timely and relevant.
Definitely a modern classic that deserves more attention.
Ann Perry’s writing stunned once again particularly the vivid way she portrayed her characters and The Narrows, a mostly Black community in a white town in Connecticut, where the story unfolds. Although originally published in 1953 the commentary on race and class, especially the danger entitled wealthy white women can pose to Black men, felt especially topical. I really appreciated the sections which focussed on the role of newspapers in reporting and thus shaping the news, and the way their wealthy owners can attempt to compromise the impartiality of the reporting. Again this feels timely and relevant.
Definitely a modern classic that deserves more attention.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Racism
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