Reviews

Assembly by Natasha Brown

beckyjadem12's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

booksforv's review

4.0

Oooh what a treat of a book. Beautifully written. Read it.

ivyninareads's review against another edition

4.0

A cut-glass sting is what this novel possesses.

A Black British woman prepares to attend a garden party at her boyfriend's family estate, and in her preparations ponders the elements that make up herself, her perceived self and thus her role in society. This short narrative had one of the most interesting writing styles that I have seen in a very long time. My copy of the book is just brimming with annotations and pencil scratchings. For such a short read, it somehow punches straight to the gut of the assembled persona, and delves into the depths of topics including systemic racism, sexism, classism and prejudice. I think that the novel is only made better in its brevity. Like a kick to the shin, the narrative arrived out of nowhere and left an impact that I know is going to linger, keeping me thinking back to its messaging.

An important read.

gabrielleshowalter's review against another edition

5.0

one of my favourite books I’ve read this year

literautres's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

4.0

the beginning really seems like it's the kind of book about a woman tortured by loneliness because of capitalism and city life and corporate life that sucks your soul but. it's more than that it's about internalized racism, colonialism, the caste system, and how no matter you climb the ladder you will always be seen as second class citizen. there is a certain sickening feeling when i finished the book, along with the emptiness it follows. so much for a thin book

fernanda28's review against another edition

5.0

One of the best books I've read recently.
Really short, but so strong, Assembly is thought provoking and made me question some of my previous opinions on modern society and its treatment towards people of colour. I honestly can't even say how much this book mesmerized me.
A must read.

shanzay_chowdhury's review

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

saintesasha's review

adventurous funny informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Amazing read, so sharp, informative and focussed. Prose style was very captivating and Brown navigates very complex and challenging topics swiftly and intersperses them in clever ways that invite a consideration of politics, racism, wealth and colonialism perfectly. Will definitely reread again some day 

caragiov's review

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jaee_s's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0