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nigelbrown's review
3.0
Many books where critics have cried misogyny, have left me baffled, but perhaps for once the criticism is justified. I’m not sure if Phillips himself has a low opinion of women or he thinks that misogyny is rife within black society as a whole, but the women in this novel get a rough ride.
Other than that it’s an interesting novel and an ok read.
Other than that it’s an interesting novel and an ok read.
annecarts's review against another edition
3.0
I read this as part of the Writing Back series which aims to bring some of the lost black British classics back into circulation.
This had a very interesting initial storyline, about the theft of a significant piece of African art from a British museum, which was stolen by the British in the first place.
However I found the plot wandered a little with it becoming more about various characters that wanted the mask and the original colonialism / theft issue not centre stage apart from some discussions between the characters.
The way women were portrayed was also a difficult read for me at times.
A difficult one to rate as some parts I really enjoyed such as the first twist and the final twist.
This had a very interesting initial storyline, about the theft of a significant piece of African art from a British museum, which was stolen by the British in the first place.
However I found the plot wandered a little with it becoming more about various characters that wanted the mask and the original colonialism / theft issue not centre stage apart from some discussions between the characters.
The way women were portrayed was also a difficult read for me at times.
A difficult one to rate as some parts I really enjoyed such as the first twist and the final twist.
lads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
runawaymagic's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
luwa963's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sachimi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
thatothernigeriangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, and it was also enjoyable reading a book set in 90s London.
Also interesting was the take on arts, especially African arts that were booted during colonialism.
However, what dampened this one for me is how the author writes about women. It just reminded me that even some of the most brilliant male writers out there never know how to craft a female character well, without sexualising them — and they always have this obsession with boobs and thighs 🤮
None of the female characters in this book, even when they are brilliant, strong or successful, escaped sexualisation. Not one single scene featuring any of these female characters didn’t have a reference to their physical appearance. That was disappointing.
Also interesting was the take on arts, especially African arts that were booted during colonialism.
However, what dampened this one for me is how the author writes about women. It just reminded me that even some of the most brilliant male writers out there never know how to craft a female character well, without sexualising them — and they always have this obsession with boobs and thighs 🤮
None of the female characters in this book, even when they are brilliant, strong or successful, escaped sexualisation. Not one single scene featuring any of these female characters didn’t have a reference to their physical appearance. That was disappointing.
tania_rj's review
4.0
A proper page turner. A brilliant cast of characters. It was very cinematic to me, each character was cast in my head, the scenes were clear in my mind, and As a visual reader I love a book which can come alive so easily in my mind.
Lots of important meditations on race, class, history, morality - identity is at the heart of this book. It didn’t get my shelterbox vote but I’m glad it won as as always, I wouldn’t usually have gone for this.
Lots of important meditations on race, class, history, morality - identity is at the heart of this book. It didn’t get my shelterbox vote but I’m glad it won as as always, I wouldn’t usually have gone for this.
azalea128's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25