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rejstone_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Lovely and an important reminder of what truly matters in life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
micht15's review against another edition
3.0
Set in London - Kerry reconnects with her younger brother Noah after having been separated at a young age. 3.5 stars
mouse_runs_'s review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. An emotional read though. It got me thinking about how people from different backgrounds and situations experience life. Some things, like grief and loss, are universal. Experienced in lots of different ways, but something everybody has or will go through at some time.
sarahrosebooks's review against another edition
DNF at page 100.
I might come back to this one day, but right now I don't think I can handle it. I guessed where the plot was going to go, so I took a peek at the ending to see if I was right, and when I saw that I was indeed right I decided to put the book down. I can't mention the thing that made me put it down for spoiler reasons, of course. The writing isn't bad, and I love the characters, but I can't read this right now, for personal reasons. Also, I did find it a little slow so once I knew the ending I didn't really feel the need to read the inbetween part.
I might come back to this one day, but right now I don't think I can handle it. I guessed where the plot was going to go, so I took a peek at the ending to see if I was right, and when I saw that I was indeed right I decided to put the book down. I can't mention the thing that made me put it down for spoiler reasons, of course. The writing isn't bad, and I love the characters, but I can't read this right now, for personal reasons. Also, I did find it a little slow so once I knew the ending I didn't really feel the need to read the inbetween part.
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
Half a World Away is a story of two very different lives and brings up the question of opportunity and achievement. What kind of life could Kerry have had if she'd been given different opportunities in life? With her half brother Noah being happily married and a successful barrister and Kerry being a single mother making ends meet as a cleaner, their lives couldn't be more different.
This book explores family in many forms and what it means. It makes you think about what really matters and what makes a family. The author writes so well about the importance of finding a sense of identity and a place to belong.
Oh my goodness Mike Gayle really does play with your emotions in this book and there are some really heart-breaking moments. However, despite that, it's a really heart-warming book too about the love and support of family.
This book explores family in many forms and what it means. It makes you think about what really matters and what makes a family. The author writes so well about the importance of finding a sense of identity and a place to belong.
Oh my goodness Mike Gayle really does play with your emotions in this book and there are some really heart-breaking moments. However, despite that, it's a really heart-warming book too about the love and support of family.
hannahjay_'s review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredibly emotional and heartbreaking and I ate it all up! There were times where you didn’t want to put the book down, but given the themes of the story, I think it was a good decision to take a break from it sometimes. (Not taking that away from the story). Mike Gayle does an incredible job of making you love the characters and want to know every inch of their lives and the story!
megprescott's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alicemc25's review against another edition
5.0
This (admittedly very soppy and quite predictable) book had me ugly crying for pages and pages, so 5 stars for the emotional upheaval. Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a good snot and tears fest.
nuhafariha's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available August 4th 2020
Like all good slice of life TV dramas, Mike Gayle's "Half a World Away" has all the elements to make for a good tea time story. From a young age, Kerry has had to carry the world on her back whether it was caring for her drug addled mother, fighting to find her younger brother in the foster care system or single-handedly raising her young child. She is the heart and soul of this engrossing drama set in the heart of London's estates and the wide, tree lined suburbs. Little did she know that her younger brother, Jason, had grown up just half a block away in a well to do upper middle class family. Even so, Jason, or Noah as he changed his name, has his own troubles at home. When the two reunite, it is clear to see how little of human nature changes even with class status. A warm, sprawling read that will leave you bawling unexpectedly.
Available August 4th 2020
Like all good slice of life TV dramas, Mike Gayle's "Half a World Away" has all the elements to make for a good tea time story. From a young age, Kerry has had to carry the world on her back whether it was caring for her drug addled mother, fighting to find her younger brother in the foster care system or single-handedly raising her young child. She is the heart and soul of this engrossing drama set in the heart of London's estates and the wide, tree lined suburbs. Little did she know that her younger brother, Jason, had grown up just half a block away in a well to do upper middle class family. Even so, Jason, or Noah as he changed his name, has his own troubles at home. When the two reunite, it is clear to see how little of human nature changes even with class status. A warm, sprawling read that will leave you bawling unexpectedly.