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dnietoperafan's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Trafficking, Murder, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child abuse, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
nikzzz3's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, and Sexual violence
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Murder
feeohnaemily's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Excrement, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Rape, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Child death
rosysnake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation and Slavery
Minor: Violence, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Suicide, Torture, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Deportation, and Child death
jennikreads's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Slavery
Moderate: Torture, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Grief
culown's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Body horror, Colonisation, Genocide, Gore, and Slavery
amyvl93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It is clear that Evaristo had a lot of fun playing with places, geographies and what a world steeped in black culture for hundreds of years would look like, in comparison to one dominated by white culture. There's some interesting reflections in particular on beauty standards and relationships - however, after a while these start getting a little grating. Whilst the sense of place of individual locations is strong, the narrative also feels at times unmoored from a sense of time - is this taking place now, in the past, somewhere in between?
What does makes this book readable still is Evaristo's impactful writing; her reinterpretation of the middle passage is excellent, as are scenes later on in the novel where Doris really starts to feel the horrors of her situation.
I'm not necessarily sure I would recommend Blonde Roots as a place to start with Evaristo's work, but for completists it's probably worth a read.
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
mx_sunshine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love Bernadine Evaristo, I want to read everything she’s written. I love how she describes characters. This was a very surprising story that fully explored an intriguing premise.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Torture, Child abuse, Rape, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Miscarriage, and Murder
Moderate: Excrement, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Gun violence and Fire/Fire injury
maapestaartje's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Slavery