Scan barcode
hanbuckley19's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
jenmcreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
This is one of my favorite reads of the year. For how short this one is, it manages to pack in a lot of worthwhile meditations on race and gender and class and the fallout of colonialism. The writing style is unique but accessible. I would highly encourage just about anyone to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Colonisation
rashi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I find the style of writing- those fragmented thoughts and philosophising and musings to be very similar to the way I love to think and write. Assembly was not what I expected, more poetry than standard narrative, but I think it really allowed so many thoughts and concepts to be incorporated in such a short time, by the end of the less than 100 pages I really knew parts of this character, and felt that I connected to the decisions and frustrations she faced, even if they do not explicitly reflect my own. Flew through the novel, great pacing and overall really enjoyable read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Terminal illness, Colonisation, and Classism
lemonsandligaments's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The topic of this book is incredibly pertinent in today’s world.
However, for a 100 page book, it’s quite a drag to get through. The pacing is very slow.
The writing style makes it seem like there are ten layers of bricks between you and the main character, and another ten between the main character and the rest of the cast.
This was quite fresh for the first few chapters, showing the main character’s internal monologue in a constant flow.
Then you have a doctors visit and a bunch of other events described that way, and it gets excruciating. This narrative method normally uses all 5 senses, but the main character only seems to be a fan of sight.
The part whereshe takes a walk during the party preparations is very important as she deliberated her situation with some finality , which I would expect to be isolated and direct with no padding for a stronger punch.
Unfortunately, I find that it is clouded by quite a bit of fluff and random references (which would work in less pivotal moments), and I recognise that this might be a matter of personal taste.
Giving the main character such a voice just makes everyone seem like paper cutouts, or a yell from the other end of a long tunnel. This is fine since the book is about the main character. In this case though, even the main character seems foreign.
I know her occupation and what she wants and experiences but there is not much more than that, perhaps this was on purpose. Not having other elements strongly tied to the book’s theme (e.g., maybe a bit about how she was as a child) makes her sound like she’s the manifestation of a checklist.
Elements not necessarily about her overt racist experiences or job can help humanise her, and make the book so much more moving.
The main point if this book is hammered in with the various anecdotes, especially with how the main character’s relationship is as transactional as it gets. I really liked her breakdown of that.
The rest of the anecdotes were just iterations of subtle verbal racism that did not delve into the deeper systemic aspects that some might not know about, which would’ve made for a good educational opportunity.
This book is probably for an audience that knows what they want out of it, as reading it without checking the blurb first has brought confusion.
Lastly, I feel that this book can be condensed into a collection of poems that contain the best descriptors and really nail the pacing of those tense moments.
If this book were about most other topics, this rating would be lower.
However, for a 100 page book, it’s quite a drag to get through. The pacing is very slow.
The writing style makes it seem like there are ten layers of bricks between you and the main character, and another ten between the main character and the rest of the cast.
This was quite fresh for the first few chapters, showing the main character’s internal monologue in a constant flow.
Then you have a doctors visit and a bunch of other events described that way, and it gets excruciating. This narrative method normally uses all 5 senses, but the main character only seems to be a fan of sight.
The part where
Unfortunately, I find that it is clouded by quite a bit of fluff and random references (which would work in less pivotal moments), and I recognise that this might be a matter of personal taste.
Giving the main character such a voice just makes everyone seem like paper cutouts, or a yell from the other end of a long tunnel. This is fine since the book is about the main character. In this case though, even the main character seems foreign.
I know her occupation and what she wants and experiences but there is not much more than that, perhaps this was on purpose. Not having other elements strongly tied to the book’s theme (e.g., maybe a bit about how she was as a child) makes her sound like she’s the manifestation of a checklist.
Elements not necessarily about her overt racist experiences or job can help humanise her, and make the book so much more moving.
The main point if this book is hammered in with the various anecdotes, especially with how the main character’s relationship is as transactional as it gets. I really liked her breakdown of that.
The rest of the anecdotes were just iterations of subtle verbal racism that did not delve into the deeper systemic aspects that some might not know about, which would’ve made for a good educational opportunity.
This book is probably for an audience that knows what they want out of it, as reading it without checking the blurb first has brought confusion.
Lastly, I feel that this book can be condensed into a collection of poems that contain the best descriptors and really nail the pacing of those tense moments.
If this book were about most other topics, this rating would be lower.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
polarheights's review
challenging
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, and Terminal illness
marissab's review
emotional
hopeful
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Death, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Medical content, Trafficking, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
eve81's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation
Moderate: Terminal illness
roraisabella's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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? No
3.75
a gripping and important read. i read it in one sitting. the themes and some of the lines stick with you for days after, however the pacing and style of writing was difficult to follow at times for me. if you like intellectual and poetic writing, you may appreciate it more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Medical content
franklola's review
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Classism
absolute_bookery's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Read this in one sitting and wow wow wow, what a book. An informed, brutally honest portrayal and narrative on race, class, conformity and choice. Excellently written and emotion provoking, can't believe this is a debut.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation