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tine9625's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Violence
kaki_m's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic read, Kei Miller is a poetic genius
drschroe's review against another edition
4.0
Separated into three parts, Augustown is a heartbreaking novel of characters from the past who are witnessing the present in small-town Jamaica. Kei Miller is a beautiful, poetic writer; I felt at times I was caught in a dream that I knew was going to end badly for someone, but I didn't know who, and I didn't know how, and I didn't know why -- not at first -- and so I willed myself to go back to sleep to finish it.
The various parts of the book intersect in unpredictable and striking ways; the characters are all unique yet somehow connected. It's a book about memories, individual and collective; the stories people tell themselves that are just stories... or are they?
This book will have you repeating, "Fly away home to Zion -- fly away home..." long after you've finished reading it.
The various parts of the book intersect in unpredictable and striking ways; the characters are all unique yet somehow connected. It's a book about memories, individual and collective; the stories people tell themselves that are just stories... or are they?
This book will have you repeating, "Fly away home to Zion -- fly away home..." long after you've finished reading it.
whatchapterareyouon's review against another edition
I did not like the writing style unfortunately. It was challenging to get into and I did not find the plot absorbing / gripping
kaki_m's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Poetically written, Kei Miller is a genius wordsmith who can write an engaging thought provoking narrative. Loves it
noteworthy_fiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
monitaroymohan's review against another edition
4.0
I tried, but I just couldn't get into this book. I received a free copy of it from work and was glad to have got it. Unfortunately, I was under the impression that this was a book of poetry - the perils of not checking the blurb, I guess - which I'm sure I would have raced through. What it is, is a lyrical book about the story of Jamaica. Miller effortlessly combines the local patois with regular speech, imbuing the book with an authenticity often lacking in tales from places like the Caribbean.
The author is obviously proud of his heritage and country and it comes across in the high level of respect he pays to each of his characters and the location as well.
There's plenty of mystery in the story and the characters and honestly, this should be a book that I would love to have finished. There's no denying the impeccable writing and the deftly created atmosphere of the town, but I guess I just wasn't in the right head space to read and enjoy this book.
I would like to read his poetry though. Kei Miller is a renowned poet, and I'm gutted I didn't get to hear his recitals when he came to my city.
I'm hoping I can give this book another try someday because it has, rightfully, received plenty of high praise. It's certainly got a lot going for it, as long as you're keen to give it a shot.
The author is obviously proud of his heritage and country and it comes across in the high level of respect he pays to each of his characters and the location as well.
There's plenty of mystery in the story and the characters and honestly, this should be a book that I would love to have finished. There's no denying the impeccable writing and the deftly created atmosphere of the town, but I guess I just wasn't in the right head space to read and enjoy this book.
I would like to read his poetry though. Kei Miller is a renowned poet, and I'm gutted I didn't get to hear his recitals when he came to my city.
I'm hoping I can give this book another try someday because it has, rightfully, received plenty of high praise. It's certainly got a lot going for it, as long as you're keen to give it a shot.
nmartinnl's review against another edition
5.0
"Look, this isn't magic realism. This is not another story about superstitious island people and their primitive beliefs. No, you don't get off that easy. This is a story about people as real as you are, and as real as I once was before I became a bodiless thing floating up here in the sky. You may as well stop to consider a more urgent question; not whether you believe in this story or not, but whether this story is about the kinds of people you have never taken the time to believe in."