Reviews

I loved this book. It just had the “it” factor for me. The vignettes, the human experience across generations and identity markers. Beautiful storytelling.

breebree23's review against another edition

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5.0

This book took me for an emotional ride. TW: Rape, Domestic violence, spoiler Alerts
At times I found myself confused about who was who, and how they were connected to each other. Bernardine Evaristo does an incredible job of going deeply into the stories of women from different time periods, giving her readers a look into the struggles of being foreign, black, queer in a far away country that does not welcome you. We hear about domestic violence, gang rape, poverty, orphans, premature infant death, postpartum depression, addiction, as well as discovery, the delights of falling in healthy love, friendships that last decades, and more. At times I found myself frustrated with characters, wondering why they wouldn't speak out, why they wouldn't ask for help, why they wouldn't get their head out of their own arse. Not once did I want to stop reading. Or rather, listening. I listened to this audio book and the narrator did an incredible job. I was transported to Britain throughout the ages. As a nigerian american, of a nigerian immigrant woman I loved hearing my childhood meals described accurately, I resonated to feeling not "nigerian" enough or "British enough" (in my case American).

If I had to mention things I didn't appreciate, it would be the rapists getting away with their heinous crimes. Or the racist comments going unchecked, feminism being spoken about as if it's sole purpose was to hate men (there is difference between misandry and feminism) but I guess some of those emotions I felt was part of the purpose of the book. To hear about different perspectives that were in total odds with my own at times. Well done, expertly written

bethanharcourt's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I didn't love this at first it definitely was one that grew on me. Having the range of stories definitely helped. Despite trying to show a range of experiences of mainly black women it still felt weirdly stereotyped at parts. Some stories I definitely enjoyed more than others. I think maybe this book was a little overhyped for me, and that let it down as I didn't dislike it, I just didn't love it.

pageturnerpursuits's review against another edition

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4.0

Little conflicted when it came to rating the book. 3 starts felt too less and 4 stars didn't reflect how much I loved the book either.It took me some time to get used to the unusual style of writing (lack of punctuation bothered me a lot in the beginning) but got used to it. Loved the diverse characters and themes handled in the book but did not have the same impact on me as Homegoing did. Definitely do not regret reading it though! :)

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