Reviews

The Bricks That Built the Houses by Kae Tempest

catelam's review

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

3.5

mandersm's review against another edition

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4.0

4.25 stars

This book is character-driven, which I enjoyed, in a way that keeps you wondering about what will happen next - because as you soon realize, the characters are connected. It’s just a question of how and how their lives will play out together. The characters and their issues are very creative, and the writing is beautiful.

I also enjoyed the London backdrop and felt that there was a strong sense of place that also overlapped into one’s understanding of the characters and understanding of British culture. My only complaint is that the story dragged just a bit while waiting for the characters to work out their connections to each other.

katewalton's review against another edition

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4.0

Loved Harry's character and the overall setting. The sudden point of view switches within one paragraph kept throwing me (could have used a bit of editing on this point).

anotherdayreading's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm in love with Kate Tempest! This is exactly the kind of novel I love to read. I got sucked in immediately by the first two pages of incredible writing. You can tell Tempest is a master of language - that she is a poet, a rapper, a spoken word artist. The metaphors throughout the book land the the perfect images in your head. Here I am, someone who is not gifted with creativity in writing, trying to describe her work!

The characters are great too. There is a great loneliness and struggle for survival and striving for connection. And the London setting is also a strong character. If you like Zadie Smith and Irvine Welsh, then read this book.

thechangeling's review

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Poetic and colourful prose. I really enjoyed shifting and sailing through the lives of all of these characters, though the ending feels rushed.

beabeatrise's review against another edition

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2.0

well. i understand why it was only 9kr. if i have to read another backstory, i will actually start burning books

kali76's review against another edition

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5.0

Surprised by this story of a heist gone wrong. Full of pathos. Multiple characters' lives twist around each other, and turn on chance encounters.

smclean's review against another edition

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5.0

Gripping and poetic. Full of good characters, developing together in realistically awkward situations. Passionately read by the author.

octaviabutchler's review against another edition

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4.0

I didn't love the plot/story/setting but Kae's prose is just so good they can make anything interesting. the way they build sentences... brooo

tulstig's review against another edition

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5.0

Based in a part of London i knew well, having lived there many years the characters are well defined and real- i often felt they had to be based on some of those i knew round there.
The author knows their art and the lyrical way the words flow had me gripped from early on.
If there's a sequel, ill be getting it too.