Reviews

Encontro by Natasha Brown

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lit_laugh_luv's review against another edition

1.0

Surprised to see such favourable reviews on this. While Natasha Brown raises some good points about the intersection of race, privilege and gender (though nothing novel about them), the writing felt like all style and no substance. The fragmented and disjoint style of the book really didn't work for me - it felt impossible to keep a coherent understanding of the plot given the constant tangents. People compare this to [b:Luster|51541496|Luster|Raven Leilani|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568668703l/51541496._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71146734], which I also didn't love, but felt that was much more successful at conveying a coherent narrative and better managed a depersonalized narrator. This just felt jumbled and melodramatic.

If this was any longer I would have given up on it - which I don't do often at all. It just felt like an absolute chore to get through with minimal payoff.

readingwithgoose's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

kateander's review against another edition

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reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

kimisaboss123's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

zainabferoz's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

stephibabes's review against another edition

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4.0

What a painful punch Natasha Brown manages to pack in this novel. Exploring the legacy of the British empire and colonialism. Giving history and the continued consequence of intergenerational trauma. But the very real and continued conflict of the liberal delusion of comfortable multiculturalism and the harsh visceral continued and unshakable racism that courses through contemporary Britain. Our protagonists impossible balance of assimilation in a society that rejects her being and body.

The tension between the rich and the posh. Having accumulated wealth and being born into inherited wealth. And the connection of this inheritance right back to slavery. It is stunning and powerful.

The level of discomfort that, in the end, the protagonists illogical decision actually becomes entirely understandable, is devastating.

I borrowed this audiobook from my local library. Support your library where you can.