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lulumt's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
harleysmiller's review
I probably didn’t give this book a fair chance but it just didn’t capture my attention at all and I felt no connection to the characters. I just didn’t find myself wanting to pick it up after I tried for a few days to dive in
lilhaunt's review
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Mother Ocean Father Nation was pretty okay for a debut novel. Batsha has great potential as an author. The premise of the book was fantastic, and I was fond of our two main characters, Jaipal and Bhumi (except for when she literally slapped a baby across the face ). They are complicated characters and--while I'm not sure I'd say they're layered--they do have various defining attributes, positive and negative. Each has their own unique motivations.
Why I'm not rating this novel higher is because I felt distanced from almost everything that happened. The island where this all takes place is not named. Most happenings were told directly, little showing was going on, and a lot of the dialogue was... off. For example, there is a part where the doctor confides critical information to Jaipal instead of his mother. Rather than having an emotional reaction, Jaipal only asks "Why not tell Ma this?". Naturally, Jaipal later conveys this to his mother, who says "He didn't tell me . . . That doctor is a coward. Can't look me in the eye. He finds it easier to hide behind other men.". While I appreciate the message here regarding sexism and how women are viewed, it was told too directly, and that being someone's first reaction to information that a person close to them will die is too bizarre.
Here's another example of strange dialogue.
Why I'm not rating this novel higher is because I felt distanced from almost everything that happened. The island where this all takes place is not named. Most happenings were told directly, little showing was going on, and a lot of the dialogue was... off. For example, there is a part where the doctor confides critical information to Jaipal instead of his mother. Rather than having an emotional reaction, Jaipal only asks "Why not tell Ma this?". Naturally, Jaipal later conveys this to his mother, who says "He didn't tell me . . . That doctor is a coward. Can't look me in the eye. He finds it easier to hide behind other men.". While I appreciate the message here regarding sexism and how women are viewed, it was told too directly, and that being someone's first reaction to information that a person close to them will die is too bizarre.
Here's another example of strange dialogue.
"Let's just go to the Puzzle. Keep it simple."
"I don't feel like it . . . Maybe you should just go without me."
"Do it for me?" . . .
"Are you sure?"
With some polish this really has potential to be a great book, and you may still be able to love it if you don't mind reading from a distance.
katieconlon's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sebbie's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
a0ri's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.25
I expected to enjoy this book, but I was struck with the ease at which I fell in to this story. Nishant Batsha has some beautiful prose that manages to paint a vivid picture without feeling overworked. The juxtaposition of the siblings as they orbit each other in life is wonderfully done, and I appreciate how deftly Batsha showcases the pain and joy brought by both diaspora and family.
jeremyjfloyd's review
challenging
emotional
informative
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? No
3.25
redwrapped's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A tense, infuriating depiction of escalating nationalism becoming violent, and finally, seizure of property and executions of those who don't comply. These escalating hostilities and dangers force the sister to leave and go to America, while it becomes harder and harder for the brother to find a way to escape as he witnesses more atrocities unfold and the world mostly ignores the violence and murder.
Many of the characters did not feel well-introduced. It took me a while to tell the characters apart, because their personalities were not particularly distinct.
However, I loved the descriptions of the settings the brother and sister found themselves in. Each was nuanced with subtlety and lushness, and never felt forced. And the way that the nationalist takeover happens gradually but also quickly enough most people don't relax in time is so insidious and universal is horrifying and deeply ingrained in the true nature of our world.
bookographic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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? No
4.0