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heledela's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.0
matildawormwood's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
carasynthia's review
3.0
I rarely leave reviews, but something about this book prompted it. I started this book thinking it would be on my favorites shelf for sure. I finished it feeling strangely empty. I don't know if it is because I came into the novel with different expectations or what. I think the characters were depicted very realistically and it made for an interesting read. Yet, I felt I could know more about their backstory to really connect with them. I felt like something about their motivations were lacking, but it could be that I just cannot relate enough to such a dire situation.
I'd definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to read a fictionalized account of what I believe is similar to the 1980s coup in Fiji. I will be looking out for more from Batsha in the future.
I'd definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to read a fictionalized account of what I believe is similar to the 1980s coup in Fiji. I will be looking out for more from Batsha in the future.
chandrew314's review
4.0
First of all, thank you Goodreads and Harper Collins for this ARC of an amazing debut novel!
Batsha writes with tenderness and nuance about a family living on a fictional island in the South Pacific. This novel takes place during a politically tumultuous year as a rising nationalist government persecutes the island's non-native Indian communities and chronicles the lives of Bhumi, the high-achieving standout looking to pursue a career in botany, and Jaipal, who is left at home at the whims of his alcoholic father and seeks out transient relationships to fulfill his desires. We get to see the impact of both fault lines in family and social order on the characters as they navigate the effects of the nation's political instability. From this fictional island to the San Francisco Bay Area, Mother Ocean Father Nation is a novel detailing the aftermath of colonialism, the ramifications of prejudice and racism, and the mess that is often family and the struggle between filial piety and independence. However, it touches on other important topics such as trauma, the immigrant experience, and queerness.
While the characters endure horrifying and appalling treatment at the hands of the government and deal with real tragedy, as a reader, I didn't feel much of an emotional connection. There were times of real desperation and loss--but that didn't quite translate to the emotional heft I was hoping for. I wish the internal monologues of the characters had been written with a bit more nuance and subtlety to make their reactions to the events in the novel more gripping. Nevertheless, the cleverness of Batsha's novel comes through in the fact that he weaves themes of his novel in all aspects of the character's lives, such as the observation Bhumi makes on the effects of colonialism on California's native grasses, offering a critique on colonialism through a new perspective while also paralleling the events of the novel. All in all, this was a super relevant read--especially in today's political climate--that explores the tragic effects of political instability and colonialism on peoples and the strength to persevere through hardship.
Batsha writes with tenderness and nuance about a family living on a fictional island in the South Pacific. This novel takes place during a politically tumultuous year as a rising nationalist government persecutes the island's non-native Indian communities and chronicles the lives of Bhumi, the high-achieving standout looking to pursue a career in botany, and Jaipal, who is left at home at the whims of his alcoholic father and seeks out transient relationships to fulfill his desires. We get to see the impact of both fault lines in family and social order on the characters as they navigate the effects of the nation's political instability. From this fictional island to the San Francisco Bay Area, Mother Ocean Father Nation is a novel detailing the aftermath of colonialism, the ramifications of prejudice and racism, and the mess that is often family and the struggle between filial piety and independence. However, it touches on other important topics such as trauma, the immigrant experience, and queerness.
While the characters endure horrifying and appalling treatment at the hands of the government and deal with real tragedy, as a reader, I didn't feel much of an emotional connection. There were times of real desperation and loss--but that didn't quite translate to the emotional heft I was hoping for. I wish the internal monologues of the characters had been written with a bit more nuance and subtlety to make their reactions to the events in the novel more gripping. Nevertheless, the cleverness of Batsha's novel comes through in the fact that he weaves themes of his novel in all aspects of the character's lives, such as the observation Bhumi makes on the effects of colonialism on California's native grasses, offering a critique on colonialism through a new perspective while also paralleling the events of the novel. All in all, this was a super relevant read--especially in today's political climate--that explores the tragic effects of political instability and colonialism on peoples and the strength to persevere through hardship.
acinthedc's review
- 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
rkap's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jbraith's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
caseys_chapters's review
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
The story takes place in 1985 on an unnamed Pacific island experiencing a coup and racial tensions, causing immense fear in the local Indian community. Siblings Jaipal and Bhumi are separated due to the unrest - one left behind and one forced to leave. The book alternates POVs following their experiences.
It took a while for the story to warm up and grab my attention, but I became more invested as it progressed. The complicated family relationships plus themes of identity and belonging tugged at my heartstrings.
I wish a few of the many layers were further developed, but I thought one component was really well done. Even without directly showing all of the political turmoil and working in the construct of a fictional country, Batsha definitely makes you feel the personal impact on Jaipal’s and Bhumi’s lives.
Overall, Mother Ocean Father Nation is a touching portrait of colonialism, family, and the meaning of home.
It took a while for the story to warm up and grab my attention, but I became more invested as it progressed. The complicated family relationships plus themes of identity and belonging tugged at my heartstrings.
I wish a few of the many layers were further developed, but I thought one component was really well done. Even without directly showing all of the political turmoil and working in the construct of a fictional country, Batsha definitely makes you feel the personal impact on Jaipal’s and Bhumi’s lives.
Overall, Mother Ocean Father Nation is a touching portrait of colonialism, family, and the meaning of home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
annabulkowski's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Medical content, Genocide, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Sexual content, Homophobia, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
yetanothersusan's review
challenging
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
What is harder? Being left behind or being the one forced to leave? This is only part of the struggles Bhumi and Jaipal are forced to face when there is a power shift in the small island their family had immigrated to several generations ago. At times I was startled while reading as the prose flipped from being a basic story telling to beautiful lyrical language. It was almost as if there were two authors, each with a very different style, trying to help each other tell the story. But I think this did a great job of reminding me that life isn't simply good or bad at any point in time, it is a combination just like how the book was written. I wish I had gotten to know Bhumi and Jaipal more. I felt like we only saw them as they reacted to things around them. I think there was more there that could have been brought forth. Maybe it wasn't to allow more space for the plot? I look forward to what might come next from this new author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.