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jimbowen0306's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of an Ivory Coast domestic servant-cum-slave (called Fatou) who works for an Indian family living in North-West London. The title comes from the fact that Fatou walks past the Cambodia Embassy when going for a swim.
The book, which charts a short period in Fatou's life up to the point when she saves one of the children's lives, is an easy read. I read it in an hour or so. That said, I'm not sure what to think of the book. It has a likeable character, but in the end, she doesn't seem particularly strong, given what she's been through.
The book, which charts a short period in Fatou's life up to the point when she saves one of the children's lives, is an easy read. I read it in an hour or so. That said, I'm not sure what to think of the book. It has a likeable character, but in the end, she doesn't seem particularly strong, given what she's been through.
dr_sol's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lisamarie2005's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
tararoi_'s review
4.0
a heartwarming, bite-sized story that has left me wanting for more, which i read on a train journey.
it reads so simple but surely, it has meaning.
it has to do hardships, learning and understanding among people. it has to do with migration, identity and belonging. It is about finding strength when facing problems. (and all this is packed into that little short story).
4/5 stars for now!
I'm hoping to read it again and gain a better understanding :)
it reads so simple but surely, it has meaning.
it has to do hardships, learning and understanding among people. it has to do with migration, identity and belonging. It is about finding strength when facing problems. (and all this is packed into that little short story).
4/5 stars for now!
I'm hoping to read it again and gain a better understanding :)
bookyberrybridge's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
zaccry's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.75
janinagnes's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
malinse's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Would have loved to read more of this.
This short story isn't really at all about the embassy, anyone who goes in there, anything that happens there.
It's about a woman who passes the embassy each week on the way to a swimming pool, using her employer's guest pass. Fatou is an unpaid overworked cleaner/childcarer who is just trying to survive. The 69 short pages barely scratch the surface on her life, there is scope for much more.
Hard to review such a short tale but did enough reading it and the quality of Smith's writing.
This short story isn't really at all about the embassy, anyone who goes in there, anything that happens there.
It's about a woman who passes the embassy each week on the way to a swimming pool, using her employer's guest pass. Fatou is an unpaid overworked cleaner/childcarer who is just trying to survive. The 69 short pages barely scratch the surface on her life, there is scope for much more.
Hard to review such a short tale but did enough reading it and the quality of Smith's writing.