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thealexarachelle's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. Of course it was sad and disturbing, but it’s very relatable for people who are biracial and grew up in a world that was only “Black and White”. I could write something super long about it, but I won’t. I have seen examples of this my whole life, especially as an adult (obviously not to this extent). People have children because they love their partner and they don’t think about the future their child may or may not grow up in. They don’t really understand the depths of what those children may go through when they grow up. And it is scary for them. Love doesn’t stop things from happening when they leave the house every day, but listening and being there for them and their experiences will save a lot of heartache. It’s hard to believe that people still have an issue with interracial couples and their offspring in 2021, but the change and growth starts with all of us. Right here. Right now. And with the children you are raising. Meh I said I wouldn’t write super long
heybalestoo's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It is provocative and heart-wrenching story about a young girl trying to figure out who she is and her place in the world. In addition, I enjoyed the Portland setting and all the familiar landmarks. It brought the story to life for me.
margaretmechinus's review against another edition
The audio book kept my full interest on a five hour drive. But the ending was abrupt and confusing. Brick’s six year odyssey to find Rachel and deliver an important message from her father…..and the message was???? I wish I had had the book to look back and read that part again. The story was character driven, delivered by different narrators. Interesting but not memorable.
sapphicsoilscientist's review against another edition
Multiple narrators just aren’t my thing. I might still read this on paper.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook performed by Karen Murray, Emily Bauer, and Kathleen McInerney
From the book jacket: Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy after a fateful morning on a Chicago rooftop. Forced to move to a new city with her African-American grandmother as her guardian, Rachel is thrust for the first time into a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, startling blue eyes, and beauty bring a constant stream of attention her way.
My reactions
I found the book in turns horrifying, moving, disturbing, riveting, and confusing. The story moves back and forth in time, and with multiple narrators. The reader certainly gets the sense of Rachel’s confusion – about her identity, about her parentage, about what actually happened, about who and what she’s supposed to be now.
I was moved by Rachel’s predicament. And empathized with her struggles to come to terms with what had happened to her, and to those she loved. The ramifications of one desperate act rippled outward to affect not only Rachel, but her grandmother and the witnesses to the event. All of them were somehow traumatized by that one afternoon on the roof – whether directly involved or not.
While the attention is focused on Rachel, some of the supporting characters are equally moving; Rachel’s grandmother, Roger, and Brick are particularly important and I really appreciated the complexity of their characters as written. All told, this is a great debut, and I look forward to reading future works by Durrow.
The audio book was capably performed by a trio of talented artists: Karen Murray, Emily Bauer and Kathleen McInerney. The opening of the audio DID tell which of these artists voiced which sections, but I failed to write it down before returning it to the library. I can tell you that one voiced Rachel, one voiced her mother Nella, and the third covered the narration and all other characters. Given the structure of the novel, using different narrators was very effective in helping to keep this listener/reader on track.
From the book jacket: Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy after a fateful morning on a Chicago rooftop. Forced to move to a new city with her African-American grandmother as her guardian, Rachel is thrust for the first time into a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, startling blue eyes, and beauty bring a constant stream of attention her way.
My reactions
I found the book in turns horrifying, moving, disturbing, riveting, and confusing. The story moves back and forth in time, and with multiple narrators. The reader certainly gets the sense of Rachel’s confusion – about her identity, about her parentage, about what actually happened, about who and what she’s supposed to be now.
I was moved by Rachel’s predicament. And empathized with her struggles to come to terms with what had happened to her, and to those she loved. The ramifications of one desperate act rippled outward to affect not only Rachel, but her grandmother and the witnesses to the event. All of them were somehow traumatized by that one afternoon on the roof – whether directly involved or not.
While the attention is focused on Rachel, some of the supporting characters are equally moving; Rachel’s grandmother, Roger, and Brick are particularly important and I really appreciated the complexity of their characters as written. All told, this is a great debut, and I look forward to reading future works by Durrow.
The audio book was capably performed by a trio of talented artists: Karen Murray, Emily Bauer and Kathleen McInerney. The opening of the audio DID tell which of these artists voiced which sections, but I failed to write it down before returning it to the library. I can tell you that one voiced Rachel, one voiced her mother Nella, and the third covered the narration and all other characters. Given the structure of the novel, using different narrators was very effective in helping to keep this listener/reader on track.
malea_ann's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Racial slurs
aliperks23's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing book! I was unable to put it down.
reindeerbandit's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
deeply depressing. terrible beach read, too.
cbneary's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderfully sad story, great characters and a quick read
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Both the author and the protagonist, Rachel, are the product of a Danish mother and an African American father. The author does a beautiful job of describing situations and feelings as Rachel moves between cultures (European & American, black and white, etc.). Though the story ultimately is hopeful, it is basically a tragedy.