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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
So much to like about this book, especially as a self-published debut. Hope someone has snapped up the movie rights for a large sum!
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I rated this book 3.5 stars. I loved the reading about the Caribbean and will try to make a more intentional effort to read books from and about my region.
3-3.5 stars. A compelling story but the ending felt a bit rushed to me. I also felt like it could've used some sharper editing, both in content and grammar wise. The random subplot of Lia's ex-boyfriend was pretty pointless, yet we didn't get nearly enough info about Lia's complex relationship with her mother.
I enjoyed reading this overall though.
CW: racism, classism, imperialism, sexual assault
I enjoyed reading this overall though.
CW: racism, classism, imperialism, sexual assault
reflective
medium-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
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This dual timeline historical fiction debut novel is set in Barbados in the 1950s and 1960s and Florida in 2015. There’s a bit of a mystery involved, but at its core it’s a coming-of-age story, for Susan Taylor, and for the island of Barbados itself. The author did a really good job of going back and forth between the present and past, and of seamlessly weaving Susan’s story with that of the independence movement in Barbados. The first third of the book was medium paced, but then the pace picks up and moves quickly toward the end. I finished the last two thirds of the book in one day. Like many other reviewers though, I agree that the ending was satisfying, but rushed and that Lia’s character could have been fleshed out a bit more. Five stars for the cover art. Last, but not least, kudos to @bajancallie for going out there and publishing her own novels. If you have not read this book, then hurry and catch up because she’s already writing her THIRD novel!
misogyny, patriarchy, political corruption, poverty, sexism, sexual assault
misogyny, patriarchy, political corruption, poverty, sexism, sexual assault
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Colonisation
Firstly, I have been to Barbados twice in recent years and this is the first time that I have read a book from there. What I liked about this book is that it gave an historical background of life on the island during colonialism, it spoke to the plight of the working class and the struggle for independence so apart from being very entertaining it had quite an educational element in it.
The book brought out issues of mental health which I think is still viewed in the way it was suggested in the book in the Caribbean as something taboo or just that the individual with the problem "gone off" as we say in Trinidad. In this little book the author brought out issues of gender. The fact that Grace was adamant for Susie to attend secondary school was so profound to me. I love it that Grace even though she was uneducated herself knew within her heart that Susie was going places ans that education is the vehicle to take her there. I believe a big part of Grace's "madness" was sadness.
I wanted so much to hate Winslow but I hated Kenneth more. I think Kenneth should have been more bold and profess his love for Susie. He is what we would call in Trinidad a soft man. Winslow acted as expected so I didn't dislike that character actually I think Susie should have been smarter.
I found the main character Susan to be quite complex. The things she went through are quite depicting of the times in which she lived. I loved how the author showed us through Susan's story that decisions we make in our youth can affect not only our lives but impact our next generation and unless we make things right we would never get that closure we want in life.
This was a good story.
The book brought out issues of mental health which I think is still viewed in the way it was suggested in the book in the Caribbean as something taboo or just that the individual with the problem "gone off" as we say in Trinidad. In this little book the author brought out issues of gender. The fact that Grace was adamant for Susie to attend secondary school was so profound to me. I love it that Grace even though she was uneducated herself knew within her heart that Susie was going places ans that education is the vehicle to take her there. I believe a big part of Grace's "madness" was sadness.
I wanted so much to hate Winslow but I hated Kenneth more. I think Kenneth should have been more bold and profess his love for Susie. He is what we would call in Trinidad a soft man. Winslow acted as expected so I didn't dislike that character actually I think Susie should have been smarter.
I found the main character Susan to be quite complex. The things she went through are quite depicting of the times in which she lived. I loved how the author showed us through Susan's story that decisions we make in our youth can affect not only our lives but impact our next generation and unless we make things right we would never get that closure we want in life.
This was a good story.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
DNF page 53.
Omg I am bored out of my mind.
After reading a massive error on page 50, I couldn’t take it anymore. I really tried to get to the 100 page mark but my life is too short to even try, sorry. There was nothing good about the first 50 pages, but looking at the score on goodreads I’m sure it picks up, so don’t let my judgment stand in the way of trying it.
Omg I am bored out of my mind.
After reading a massive error on page 50, I couldn’t take it anymore. I really tried to get to the 100 page mark but my life is too short to even try, sorry. There was nothing good about the first 50 pages, but looking at the score on goodreads I’m sure it picks up, so don’t let my judgment stand in the way of trying it.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Not gonna lie, the cover of this book is absolutely stunning and going into this story I knew only a little. I felt like if the cover is this gorgeous then the story has to be interesting!! It’s dual timeline which always makes me happy, you’re following a young write interview an established author that for some reason has been essentially banned from ever returning to her home country in Barbados.
I really enjoyed the interview chapters and going back in time and really growing to learn about Susan Taylor, her struggles and her home life were very difficult at the time, and watching how she maneuvered through her relationships with her family and the men in her life. This book is very heavy on the political history of Barabados, so just FYI.
I did find myself comparing this story structure to Evelyn Hugo (stories are different but the flow of it reads the same).
Overall I would definitely recommend this book! A very quick and easy read to enjoy.
I really enjoyed the interview chapters and going back in time and really growing to learn about Susan Taylor, her struggles and her home life were very difficult at the time, and watching how she maneuvered through her relationships with her family and the men in her life. This book is very heavy on the political history of Barabados, so just FYI.
I did find myself comparing this story structure to Evelyn Hugo (stories are different but the flow of it reads the same).
Overall I would definitely recommend this book! A very quick and easy read to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
This is the first book I’ve read about Barbados. I knew nothing about the history or culture, and I loved learning more. Lia and Susan’s dynamic was great, and I loved the short chapters of the present breaking up Susan’s story. I did see part of the ending coming, but in a “I knew it!” way rather than a “duh” way. I really really liked how the ending was presented and how everything was wrapped up (no spoilers though!)
Also, Winslow was the worst. I’m a sucker for the nice guy, and wanted to shake young Susan soooo many times for her bad choices.
Also, Winslow was the worst. I’m a sucker for the nice guy, and wanted to shake young Susan soooo many times for her bad choices.