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lindy_b's review against another edition
2.0
Make a list of every stereotype about literary fiction and this book will represent over half of them.
Also, it's 445 pages long, and most of them contain at least one paragraph like this:
Also, it's 445 pages long, and most of them contain at least one paragraph like this:
Later he showers. Standing beneath the spout of water, he has the urge to urinate. He stands at the edge of the tiled shower cubicle and aims at the toilet bowl. Success brings with it his first sense of achievement of the day. (p 46)
mandyherbet's review against another edition
5.0
I struggled to get into this one, probably because I read it on my kindle and it was a bookclub selection, so I didn't have the blurb to go by. I struggled to get a sense of where the story was set and who the narrator - and later, narrators - were. So I grumbled but kept reading, promising myself that I could read something else once I was finished.
And then I hit my stride! Wow, three narrators - Elias Cole, Adrian, and Kai - all tell the story of Sierra Leone and the lives of those left behind, those who choose to leave, and those who choose to stay. It's a story of courage - the courage of your convictions and the lies you tell to alleviate your guilt. I found myself gasping at some of the twists and especially the ending and I almost need more time to digest it all.
It's a powerful story and I can't wait to discuss it at the next bookclub meeting!
And then I hit my stride! Wow, three narrators - Elias Cole, Adrian, and Kai - all tell the story of Sierra Leone and the lives of those left behind, those who choose to leave, and those who choose to stay. It's a story of courage - the courage of your convictions and the lies you tell to alleviate your guilt. I found myself gasping at some of the twists and especially the ending and I almost need more time to digest it all.
It's a powerful story and I can't wait to discuss it at the next bookclub meeting!
amakaazie's review against another edition
3.0
Difficult to read. Very slow progression of the story with focus on unnecessary details. The only thing i enjoyed was the cultural exposure to Sierra Leone.
hunterreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
line_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
marcellaandherbooks's review against another edition
Writing was too dense, it didn't grab me.
mgreer56's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25