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barry_x's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a book that really grew on me which after a slow start really wrapped me in which I couldn't leave.
'Brown Girl in the Ring' is the story of Ti-Jeanne, a young mother living with her grandmother in a dystopian Toronto where the city has effectively been abandoned by state authorities following an economic crisis. Ti-Jeanne's stuck with her drug addict loser on-off boyfriend Tony who is running with the city gang. Meanwhile, nationally, the right wing leaning Premier needs a new heart and the demographics suggesting rejecting animal transplants in favour of human donors is a vote winner. Rudy the gang boss is tasked to find a donor.
So I am really going to try hard to avoid discussing the plot so much, because when this kicks in I think the less the reader knows up front the better.
What I do feel comfortable talking about is the characterisation. I have read a few reviews criticising Ti-Jeanne and I can certainly see how she can annoy readers. I didn't mind her, but she is deeply flawed. She doesn't appear to be a good mother. She continually makes stupid choices, and in the early part of the book she seems quite immature and selfish. I like this, but if you are looking for a kick-ass heroine you aren't going to get one. Tony comes across as the most pathetic loser irrespective of the plot. Again he is not a hero in the slightest. Mami Gros-Jeanne, Ti-Jeanne's grandmother is brilliant and she reminded me of the title character in Mama Day which I read recently - an elderly black matriarch with a knowledge of healing and magic.
However, I must reserve my praise for the writing of Rudy. I don't think I have ever read a character I have despised in such a long time - he is just a horrible human being. Everyone else in the book has a rationale for their decisions, but Rudy is an out and out evil villain. No shade of grey at all. But when you have such an unredeemable character it helps the rest of the novel to pivot around it. He is definitely not an easy read, but at the same time he is someone I really wanted to get his comeuppance.
The dialect used by most of the characters is in Caribbean English and it's lovely to read - so rich and deep. I quite like reading books written where the language is written in non-standard English. I think it brings the characters to life and I can hear their voices much better. Chapters are interspersed with nursery rhymes, folk songs and poems which brings the culture of the book to life.
Central to the book are old African Gods who can provide aid and warnings, plus Obeah, Caribbean folklore sprits and monsters. I've only dipped into Afro-Caribbean folklore but it was good to see many of these stories crop up here.
I also really liked dystopia Toronto. It felt like a fully realised city without power or running water for many and no law or government structures. It had all the tropes of a city ripe for exploitation by outsiders, but it also had a functioning bartering and trade system, a health system of sorts. I didn't feel like everything was hell despite the poverty. I am struck by the notion that even in times of a breaking down of structures human beings instinctively find ways to collaborate and organise.
I've not seen this book marketed as horror, seeing it typically categorised as science fiction but there are definitely horror elements here, particularly body horror, and I think this book is genuinely creepy and scary at times.
Highly recommended
'Brown Girl in the Ring' is the story of Ti-Jeanne, a young mother living with her grandmother in a dystopian Toronto where the city has effectively been abandoned by state authorities following an economic crisis. Ti-Jeanne's stuck with her drug addict loser on-off boyfriend Tony who is running with the city gang. Meanwhile, nationally, the right wing leaning Premier needs a new heart and the demographics suggesting rejecting animal transplants in favour of human donors is a vote winner. Rudy the gang boss is tasked to find a donor.
So I am really going to try hard to avoid discussing the plot so much, because when this kicks in I think the less the reader knows up front the better.
What I do feel comfortable talking about is the characterisation. I have read a few reviews criticising Ti-Jeanne and I can certainly see how she can annoy readers. I didn't mind her, but she is deeply flawed. She doesn't appear to be a good mother. She continually makes stupid choices, and in the early part of the book she seems quite immature and selfish. I like this, but if you are looking for a kick-ass heroine you aren't going to get one. Tony comes across as the most pathetic loser irrespective of the plot. Again he is not a hero in the slightest. Mami Gros-Jeanne, Ti-Jeanne's grandmother is brilliant and she reminded me of the title character in Mama Day which I read recently - an elderly black matriarch with a knowledge of healing and magic.
However, I must reserve my praise for the writing of Rudy. I don't think I have ever read a character I have despised in such a long time - he is just a horrible human being. Everyone else in the book has a rationale for their decisions, but Rudy is an out and out evil villain. No shade of grey at all. But when you have such an unredeemable character it helps the rest of the novel to pivot around it. He is definitely not an easy read, but at the same time he is someone I really wanted to get his comeuppance.
The dialect used by most of the characters is in Caribbean English and it's lovely to read - so rich and deep. I quite like reading books written where the language is written in non-standard English. I think it brings the characters to life and I can hear their voices much better. Chapters are interspersed with nursery rhymes, folk songs and poems which brings the culture of the book to life.
Central to the book are old African Gods who can provide aid and warnings, plus Obeah, Caribbean folklore sprits and monsters. I've only dipped into Afro-Caribbean folklore but it was good to see many of these stories crop up here.
I also really liked dystopia Toronto. It felt like a fully realised city without power or running water for many and no law or government structures. It had all the tropes of a city ripe for exploitation by outsiders, but it also had a functioning bartering and trade system, a health system of sorts. I didn't feel like everything was hell despite the poverty. I am struck by the notion that even in times of a breaking down of structures human beings instinctively find ways to collaborate and organise.
I've not seen this book marketed as horror, seeing it typically categorised as science fiction but there are definitely horror elements here, particularly body horror, and I think this book is genuinely creepy and scary at times.
Highly recommended
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Body horror
Moderate: Drug use and Domestic abuse
wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Gore
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Violence, Gun violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Drug use
Minor: Ableism, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Racial slurs
wordsareworlds's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
This book had all the qualities of an excellent fable crafted into the modern dystopia with an incredibly evocative voice. Hopkinson wove in so much growth for Ti-Jeanne in a pretty short story, and the length felt just right for the the telling of myths, the ones where the scenery changes to fit the times but the core is the same, and the lessons remain true regardless of the era.
I found the worldbuilding slightly confusing, but that has to do with my own ignorance of both specific Caribbean cultural references and the city of Toronto. That being said, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. Hopkinson's prose is evocative and impactful, and the ways she described the magic were both awe inspiring and terrifying.
Highly recommend for people looking for a fast paced, exciting, and in many ways heart breaking, coming of age story with strong themes of motherhood, family, and holding onto culture in a place that is often hostile to it.
I found the worldbuilding slightly confusing, but that has to do with my own ignorance of both specific Caribbean cultural references and the city of Toronto. That being said, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. Hopkinson's prose is evocative and impactful, and the ways she described the magic were both awe inspiring and terrifying.
Highly recommend for people looking for a fast paced, exciting, and in many ways heart breaking, coming of age story with strong themes of motherhood, family, and holding onto culture in a place that is often hostile to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Child death, Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, Torture, Medical content, and Child abuse
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Racial slurs, and Domestic abuse
sadie_g's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, and Drug use
Minor: Child death and Domestic abuse
thndrkat's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Medical content, and Torture
Moderate: Domestic abuse
nannahnannah's review against another edition
4.5
Thanking a friend who let me borrow some books during this quarantine period! And what a book, too. This is the kind of book I’ve been wanting to read for a really long time. The atmosphere, the involvement of gods that aren’t caricatures, the character growth, etc. It’s all beautifully done and wonderfully written!
Representation:
- the main character, her family, and her lover is black
- there is a romani side character
- many other secondary & side characters are black & diverse as well (LGBT; other ethnicities mentioned in passing)
Now that the government and the wealthy have abandoned Toronto and barricaded the poor and less privileged inside, the inner city has become home to old-world farming, trade, and religion. It’s also home to body harvesting, with so many street kids running around ready for the picking. When one wealthy politician from the suburbs outside needs a heart transplant, Ti-Jeanne and her grandmother become involved with the city’s posse and its schemes. Soon, they’ll have no one else to turn to except for the gods and rituals Ti-Jeanne has been trying to avoid her entire life.
So, again, this is the type of book I’ve been LONGING for for YEARS. A mature book with an in-depth world respectfully dealing with religion and gods interacting with the characters. Nalo Hopkinson has been on my to-read list for forever, and I’m so glad this novel was sent to me because it made me read it now. This is the kind of god-respecting mythology book we’ve all been needing! Finally, something that respects the religion it borrows from instead of taking whatever you please and turning gods into caricatures of themselves for your own use. Especially a religion that is still in use today, such as this book’s “vodun”, practiced by about 30 million people in West Africa.
While it took me a good while to warm up to Ti-Jeanne, the protagonist (because she was particularly resentful, coarse, and looked down upon others), I especially loved her character arc. I eventually did warm up to her as the book went on and felt very protective of her. In fact, everyone’s characterization is wonderful and well-developed. Some don’t get the ending I expected -- while others get the ones I secretly hoped they would. The book takes you through one hell of a family drama and into some dark waters while it’s at it. But for such a short book, it feels like it packs a huge plot, great world building, and some profound character arcs while not constantly moving at breakneck speed.
There’s not much I don’t like, to be honest (except Ti-Jeanne’s lover, Tony, but as I mentioned before: everyone had their arcs and their roles to play). This is exactly the book I needed at exactly the right moment. I’m so grateful to my friend for letting me borrow it.
Representation:
- the main character, her family, and her lover is black
- there is a romani side character
- many other secondary & side characters are black & diverse as well (LGBT; other ethnicities mentioned in passing)
Now that the government and the wealthy have abandoned Toronto and barricaded the poor and less privileged inside, the inner city has become home to old-world farming, trade, and religion. It’s also home to body harvesting, with so many street kids running around ready for the picking. When one wealthy politician from the suburbs outside needs a heart transplant, Ti-Jeanne and her grandmother become involved with the city’s posse and its schemes. Soon, they’ll have no one else to turn to except for the gods and rituals Ti-Jeanne has been trying to avoid her entire life.
So, again, this is the type of book I’ve been LONGING for for YEARS. A mature book with an in-depth world respectfully dealing with religion and gods interacting with the characters. Nalo Hopkinson has been on my to-read list for forever, and I’m so glad this novel was sent to me because it made me read it now. This is the kind of god-respecting mythology book we’ve all been needing! Finally, something that respects the religion it borrows from instead of taking whatever you please and turning gods into caricatures of themselves for your own use. Especially a religion that is still in use today, such as this book’s “vodun”, practiced by about 30 million people in West Africa.
While it took me a good while to warm up to Ti-Jeanne, the protagonist (because she was particularly resentful, coarse, and looked down upon others), I especially loved her character arc. I eventually did warm up to her as the book went on and felt very protective of her. In fact, everyone’s characterization is wonderful and well-developed. Some don’t get the ending I expected -- while others get the ones I secretly hoped they would. The book takes you through one hell of a family drama and into some dark waters while it’s at it. But for such a short book, it feels like it packs a huge plot, great world building, and some profound character arcs while not constantly moving at breakneck speed.
There’s not much I don’t like, to be honest (except Ti-Jeanne’s lover, Tony, but as I mentioned before: everyone had their arcs and their roles to play). This is exactly the book I needed at exactly the right moment. I’m so grateful to my friend for letting me borrow it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Domestic abuse and Racial slurs
also: transmisogynistic violencemenomica's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I don’t normally like reading dystopian novels bc it’s usually a form of political critique and it comes off as speculative fiction, which doesn’t really spark that much joy for me, or it’s just a back-drop for the very boring and white characters (i.g. The Hunger Games or Divergent). But… this one here very much intrigued me. I like the aspect of Haitian mythology. The story is very well-made. It starts off a bit slow and then after Chapter 5 Miss Hopkins will not let you know peace. Just panic and stress and vibes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, and Gore
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Medical content, Gun violence, Grief, Excrement, and Child death
mothdan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Torture, and Body horror
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, and Sexual content
sionnac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Torture, Violence, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Medical trauma