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velocipedia's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
"If a man flies in Jamaica, and only the poor will admit to seeing it, has he still flown?"
Well I've never read a book quite like this. You can tell Miller is a poet, and the prose is honestly stunning.
(Read for StoryGraph's 2024 Read the World Challenge. Prompt: Jamaica)
Well I've never read a book quite like this. You can tell Miller is a poet, and the prose is honestly stunning.
(Read for StoryGraph's 2024 Read the World Challenge. Prompt: Jamaica)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, and Police brutality
Minor: Rape and Abortion
hereforthefunofit's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
i want to get a place in my writing where i can tell the reader what is to happen and it still be impactful.
it is already a sad story. but then, there are so extra many pieces that just slot into place and make the book all the more heartbreaking. it jus come dung pan mi an a cyaan tek it.
it is already a sad story. but then, there are so extra many pieces that just slot into place and make the book all the more heartbreaking. it jus come dung pan mi an a cyaan tek it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Hate crime, Violence, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit
spinesinaline's review against another edition
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
5.0
As the author says in the intro, August Town is a real-life neighbourhood in Jamaica and while some of its real history is brought into the story, the titular neighbourhood is an intentionally fictional entity. From the first scene, you can feel the tension is this town building towards some unfortunate climax. We slowly get to know the characters as Ma Taffy reveals the spiritual and painful history of the town that has led to this moment, jumping in time and from perspective to perspective, each with a different view of the town and the trouble to come.
Along with the storytelling by Ma Taffy, there is an unseen narrator who seems to have a complete view of the town and I loved the way the author creatively uses this narrator to guide the story. It’s a heavy, sad read but one that creates such a stunning picture of this town, both real and fictional, and the people who may share these stories. This was a highlight read of the year and one I’m sure I will return to.
Along with the storytelling by Ma Taffy, there is an unseen narrator who seems to have a complete view of the town and I loved the way the author creatively uses this narrator to guide the story. It’s a heavy, sad read but one that creates such a stunning picture of this town, both real and fictional, and the people who may share these stories. This was a highlight read of the year and one I’m sure I will return to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Blood, and Excrement
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
This book is a different genre to what I usually read. It felt like folklore, local history to a country and culture I know nothing about, so I appreciate being able to learn and be let in through reading this.
I enjoyed the story craft, through storytelling and weaving in and out of past and present and through different characters. There is a main plot point that holds them together, but if you enjoy a linear story or a strong connection to a protagonist this may not be for you. I felt that Augstown was our main protagonist and the different characters the layers of history and lives that make it who it is. All the individual human characters felt fully realised, but we moved fluidly through them getting segments of their lives. I am a reader that likes to fully immerse in a character, so I did not get that emotionsl connection I usually want with the characters.
But that was not the story's purpose.
I enjoyed the story craft, through storytelling and weaving in and out of past and present and through different characters. There is a main plot point that holds them together, but if you enjoy a linear story or a strong connection to a protagonist this may not be for you. I felt that Augstown was our main protagonist and the different characters the layers of history and lives that make it who it is. All the individual human characters felt fully realised, but we moved fluidly through them getting segments of their lives. I am a reader that likes to fully immerse in a character, so I did not get that emotionsl connection I usually want with the characters.
But that was not the story's purpose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Abortion, and Classism
Minor: Sexual harassment