Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko

1 review

bookb1itch's review

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adventurous challenging funny inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I received a gratis copy of this book from Better Reading, to preview.
this is the review I submitted:
 
I don’t have words for just how enjoyable this book was.  I knew from Lucashenko’s reputation that I was in for some possibly confronting race-relations commentary.  What I wasn’t ready for was the joyous militancy of Winona, one of my all-time favourite wise (and foul!)-mouthed activists.  The laugh-out-loud banter between Winona and Dr Johnny is delightful and I could almost hear Winona’s opinion on the current Voice to Parliament debate.  Both the 1850s and 2024 storylines are peopled with believable characters of various cultural backgrounds (indigenous, Scottish, Irish, Chinese, Maori) and when the narratives finally converge, the storytelling is simply lyrical, even, perhaps, mystical.  The book contains some beautiful descriptions of indigenous cultural practices and instances of powerful spiritual connection between people, animals and country.  There is also a liberal sprinkling of First Language words from different groups.  Lucashenko admits to having taken some liberties with history, but if even some of the atrocities in this book are based on fact, this country has some very shameful incidents in our colonial past indeed.   I will most definitely buy and vociferously recommend this extraordinary novel for my school library. 
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