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dreamersmind's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.75
Traumatic story with hopeful feelings at the end. Moral: you are not alone and change is possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Infertility, Death, Alcoholism, Rape, and Pedophilia
marthaos's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, which though it tackled some very dark issues, did so with a lightness of touch that made it very readable. It is told in Trinidadian Creole which greatly enhanced the storytelling bringing characters and setting to life.
It tells the story of Alathea, manager of a clothing store, who is regularly beaten and abused by her “lover” Leo. Alathea, who comes across as a strong, independent woman, nonetheless just seems to accept this as part of her lot, and as the book unfolds, we learn how these patterns of abuse originated in her childhood and seemed to perpetuate into her adult years, despite running away, despite finding new lovers….
Leo, who can oscillate between doling out horribly cruel beatings and violent sex, and displaying tender and kind love, is extremely unpredictable and we learn in the story how Alathea fears him, dreads going home, yet just seems to accept it. When colleague Tamika sees some of her bruises and learns what she is putting up with, it sets the story in motion, putting pressure on Alathea to question why this is acceptable. Is there another way?
As the story unfolds, we learn a lot about Alathea’s childhood through her brother, Carl, who later became a priest. Alathea had always enjoyed a close relationship with him until she cut off all ties when she ran from home. Carl is now eager to rebuild this relationship and to help Alathea claim her life back.
As events come to a head in the Festival of Flames, we see that there are no winners in such toxic environments. We see that the victim can become so trapped and vulnerable that they see no way out and worst of all they feel so degraded that they feel unworthy of anything different.
Overall this was a very well written book and a well-told story. That such a difficult subject matter could be explored without the storytelling or the voices sinking down with the weight of it showed Agostini’s skill as a writer. Without shying away from the realities of this protagonist’s experience or in any way detracting from the horror of such daily violence and its consequences, she keeps the story moving forward, the dialogue hugely adding to the narrative, sparkling with beautiful Trinidadian idioms, she brings the characters to life and mostly offers a strong message of hope even in the midst of such pain.
It tells the story of Alathea, manager of a clothing store, who is regularly beaten and abused by her “lover” Leo. Alathea, who comes across as a strong, independent woman, nonetheless just seems to accept this as part of her lot, and as the book unfolds, we learn how these patterns of abuse originated in her childhood and seemed to perpetuate into her adult years, despite running away, despite finding new lovers….
Leo, who can oscillate between doling out horribly cruel beatings and violent sex, and displaying tender and kind love, is extremely unpredictable and we learn in the story how Alathea fears him, dreads going home, yet just seems to accept it. When colleague Tamika sees some of her bruises and learns what she is putting up with, it sets the story in motion, putting pressure on Alathea to question why this is acceptable. Is there another way?
As the story unfolds, we learn a lot about Alathea’s childhood through her brother, Carl, who later became a priest. Alathea had always enjoyed a close relationship with him until she cut off all ties when she ran from home. Carl is now eager to rebuild this relationship and to help Alathea claim her life back.
As events come to a head in the Festival of Flames, we see that there are no winners in such toxic environments. We see that the victim can become so trapped and vulnerable that they see no way out and worst of all they feel so degraded that they feel unworthy of anything different.
Overall this was a very well written book and a well-told story. That such a difficult subject matter could be explored without the storytelling or the voices sinking down with the weight of it showed Agostini’s skill as a writer. Without shying away from the realities of this protagonist’s experience or in any way detracting from the horror of such daily violence and its consequences, she keeps the story moving forward, the dialogue hugely adding to the narrative, sparkling with beautiful Trinidadian idioms, she brings the characters to life and mostly offers a strong message of hope even in the midst of such pain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, and Sexual violence
t33_'s review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
WOW.
Sad, intense, empowering, womanhood, emotional. I don’t think I’ve ever read something like this before but I am glad that I have. My God, this book was something else! I barely write reviews and I don’t give many books 5 stars but this story was impeccable.
10/10 across the board!
Sad, intense, empowering, womanhood, emotional. I don’t think I’ve ever read something like this before but I am glad that I have. My God, this book was something else! I barely write reviews and I don’t give many books 5 stars but this story was impeccable.
10/10 across the board!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, Death, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Incest, and Emotional abuse
alexiconic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Original and beautiful, a truly heart wrenching exploration of the life of someone who has achieved a lot, but had to come from hell to do so (picking up some distorted habits and thoughts along the way). Some elements were just a little too much for me, but I wasn’t nearly as put off as I would have expected if you had told me about it before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, Infidelity, Murder, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Addiction, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Rape, and Toxic relationship
kefeshe's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely stunning writing but it was intense! That's the best way I could describe it, everything this woman experiences is laid out beautifully in all its ugly detail. I've not read many Trini authors, but it's was lovely to read the familiar accent, foods and places throughout!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Gun violence
Minor: Incest
bp_43's review
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
leahb88's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow what an amazing book. Reading the Trinidadian Creole took a moment to get used to, but it added so much! Alethea’s story is heartbreaking but I loved reflecting on her past and watching her grow in the present throughout the book. Highly recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism
tiallie's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
naseerahl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
emilyrowanstudio's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a very unique book. A visceral, hard-hitting book about how abuse in child - to put it lightly - leads to an adulthood of domestic abuse and submittance to men's power over women. Our protagonist, Alethea, is not weak though. She is strong, independent, and the picture of resilience. How do you live a life without abuse if it's all you've ever known? Alethea is powerful in her own right, and the way she is Allen-Agostini will possibly always stay with me.
I hadn't heard of The Bread the Devil Knead until it was recommended in an email from bookshop.org. I was drawn in by the title - what a title!! - followed by reviews on Goodreads saying what an immersively emotional read this was. It came as no surprise to me to find out this was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. The character and world building is phenomenal.
Told mostly in first person Trinidadian creole, interspersed with flashback chapters written in the third person, Alethea's voice is brought to life and I don't think i'll ever read another voice like hers. She never breaks, despite everything that's happened (happens) to her, and only does she come close as the story develops and horrors from her past become clearer and clearer. Take heed of the trigger warnings - incest, rape, and murder to name but a few. This is not an easy read but, if you can stomach it, you will be rewarded as this is ultimately a story about hope, and what comes next.
I hadn't heard of The Bread the Devil Knead until it was recommended in an email from bookshop.org. I was drawn in by the title - what a title!! - followed by reviews on Goodreads saying what an immersively emotional read this was. It came as no surprise to me to find out this was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. The character and world building is phenomenal.
Told mostly in first person Trinidadian creole, interspersed with flashback chapters written in the third person, Alethea's voice is brought to life and I don't think i'll ever read another voice like hers. She never breaks, despite everything that's happened (happens) to her, and only does she come close as the story develops and horrors from her past become clearer and clearer. Take heed of the trigger warnings - incest, rape, and murder to name but a few. This is not an easy read but, if you can stomach it, you will be rewarded as this is ultimately a story about hope, and what comes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Incest, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault