Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a great historical tale for a novel! Found it difficult to get into the story initially but once it clicked I was truly invested. Loved the different voices of the women - my favourite was Popo!
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to learn more about Trinidad and was curious to read this book – and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is set in Trinidad between the 1930s and 1950s, with a focus on the Indian diaspora living on the island. I especially liked that the story is told from the perspectives of four strong women. The chapters are very short, which makes for a smooth reading experience, and the constantly shifting perspectives keep things varied and engaging.
It took me a little while to get used to the language, as the author wrote the book in authentic Trini Creole. But this actually makes the story feel all more real and intimate.
Some reviews and summaries describe Boysie – the man around whom the story partly revolves – as a “charismatic figure.” Um, nope. I hated that guy from start to finish. The book powerfully illustrates how little has changed when men use power, violence, and threats to control and destroy women’s lives.
The book is very informative if you’re looking to understand more about Trinidad’s history and colonial legacy. All in all: highly recommended!
It took me a little while to get used to the language, as the author wrote the book in authentic Trini Creole. But this actually makes the story feel all more real and intimate.
Some reviews and summaries describe Boysie – the man around whom the story partly revolves – as a “charismatic figure.” Um, nope. I hated that guy from start to finish. The book powerfully illustrates how little has changed when men use power, violence, and threats to control and destroy women’s lives.
The book is very informative if you’re looking to understand more about Trinidad’s history and colonial legacy. All in all: highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I don't understand what these women see in this guy that they are obsessed or whatever, anyways I got bored..I'm not here for suffer *orn.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the story of the women around Boysie Singh. He was a gangster in Trinidad in the 30s and 40s. We follow all the women that surrounded him. I liked this novel. Each character showed a different side of the female archetype. They were all chained to Boysie, but tried to exert some semblance of independence but were often pushed down by him. This reminded of a mashup of a Margaret Atwood novel and A Brief History of Seven Killings. I found this easy to read. I think it could have been shorter by about 150 pages, but it was still gripping. I give this one a 4.1/5.