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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
reflective
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
Susan Taylor is a recluse author who had to leave Barbados for the United States after she writes a novel that is a whistle blower on people running the new Barbados government in the 1960s. After 50 years, she thinks it is time to write her memoirs, so she hires a girl named Cordelia from Barbados to pen it for her. Cordelia agrees because she needs the money, so she flies to Susan's house in Florida to spend the next few months listening to Susan's life story. Susan has a tough skin and is off putting to Cordelia when they first meet. But over time, Susan softens, and Cordelia begins to enjoy their sessions together. As the story of Susan's life unravels, secrets are revealed, and Cordelia finds that she has more qusetions than answers. She is bound to get to the bottom of who Susan really is before she writes this book.
This book was.....fine. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. It isn't well written. The characters are not really likable. The ending felt very rushed - the "surprise" not all that surprising. It was a short book, and I wonder if the author would have taken more time to develop the characters if it would have flowed better and been a better read.
This book was.....fine. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. It isn't well written. The characters are not really likable. The ending felt very rushed - the "surprise" not all that surprising. It was a short book, and I wonder if the author would have taken more time to develop the characters if it would have flowed better and been a better read.
Very interesting novel that is also Rich with history of Barbados.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘The Girl With Hazel Eyes’ is the coming-of-age story of Susan Taylor, a young Bajan during the fight for independence during 1950s Barbados.
Heartbreak, trauma, spite and an opportunity that proves to good to be true leaves Susie living a life of shame, exile, solitude and regret.
Lia, an aspiring Bajan author is invited (present day) and entrusted to tell Susie’s story. As Susie’s story unfolds, Lia is left grappling with picking up the pieces of a woman she barely knows.
This book might be for anyone who liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Themes
•Consequence of revenge
•Making amends while you still have time
•Sharing your truth, making peace
•Politics and family life in Barbados during the 50s
•Accessibility to women’s health, then & now
Well written, maybe a bit predictable, I really enjoyed the cadence and characters of this story. I loved the complexity of the characters, but would have loved to have spent more time with Susie’s mom.
An excellent #caribbeanread
emotional
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book. The story is interesting and kept me reading. I liked the flashbacks to Barbados. It was very good, and I highly recommend it!
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
This is a #bookstagram made me do it review. I followed @bajancallie for the beautiful photos of books in Barbados. Once we became friends, I realized she wrote a book and I knew I wanted to read it. Plus, that cover is gorgeous.
The Girl With The Hazel Eyes is told in a dual storyline with Lia’s POV in 2015 and Susan’s in 1966-67. Susan is Barbados’ most famous writer, unfortunately her book wasn’t well received on the island and she’s lived in exile in the States for many years. Newly single, a Lia wants to be a writer and against her mother’s wishes, she jumps at the chance to interview Susan and write a biography about her experiences.
What I liked: I felt like everyday life in 1960s Barbados was captured - I actually thought this was based on real events until I talked to Callie - it feels that real. Her characters don’t always make good choices but I found myself rooting for them and liking them. As in life, the characters make decisions that affect the rest of their lives - some they may end up regretting.
Susan’s story reads like diary entries, while Lia’s portions mimic the reader trying to figure out what is going on. Spoiler: Susan has some secrets.
What didn’t work for me: Full disclosure: Callie told me to be honest here. I wish there was more dialogue, especially with Susan. She’s so complex, I wanted to see her interact more.
I will warn you the ending is a bit open-ended (my favorite) but if you’re looking for full closure there is no neat epilogue.
Who should read it: Chanel Cleeton fans that enjoy the island vibes and history of her stories (there’s not a lot of romance in Hazel Eyes). I think fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will like this book - both Susan and Evelyn are complex not always likable characters.
This is a #bookstagram made me do it review. I followed @bajancallie for the beautiful photos of books in Barbados. Once we became friends, I realized she wrote a book and I knew I wanted to read it. Plus, that cover is gorgeous.
The Girl With The Hazel Eyes is told in a dual storyline with Lia’s POV in 2015 and Susan’s in 1966-67. Susan is Barbados’ most famous writer, unfortunately her book wasn’t well received on the island and she’s lived in exile in the States for many years. Newly single, a Lia wants to be a writer and against her mother’s wishes, she jumps at the chance to interview Susan and write a biography about her experiences.
What I liked: I felt like everyday life in 1960s Barbados was captured - I actually thought this was based on real events until I talked to Callie - it feels that real. Her characters don’t always make good choices but I found myself rooting for them and liking them. As in life, the characters make decisions that affect the rest of their lives - some they may end up regretting.
Susan’s story reads like diary entries, while Lia’s portions mimic the reader trying to figure out what is going on. Spoiler: Susan has some secrets.
What didn’t work for me: Full disclosure: Callie told me to be honest here. I wish there was more dialogue, especially with Susan. She’s so complex, I wanted to see her interact more.
I will warn you the ending is a bit open-ended (my favorite) but if you’re looking for full closure there is no neat epilogue.
Who should read it: Chanel Cleeton fans that enjoy the island vibes and history of her stories (there’s not a lot of romance in Hazel Eyes). I think fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will like this book - both Susan and Evelyn are complex not always likable characters.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes