ellej88's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
diadiscovers's review against another edition
4.0
I have so many mixed feelings about this one. One thing is for sure though, Menon's writing is captivating enough for me to keep reading despite not liking the main protagonist. I actually enjoyed it in an uncomfortable way that I just cannot describe.
sineadcstories's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't actually finish as it was not hooking me at all. It seemed to ramble a lot. Other reviews seem pretty positive though so I may get back to it in the new year.
dhall65's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.0
lianne_rooney's review against another edition
Putting this aside for now at 4.5 hours in. I'm not getting on with the characters at all and for me the slow pace is not best suited to audio format. That is not to take away from Indira Varma's narration at all, she is excellent, I'm just struggling to stay engaged.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Mental illness
burrowsi1's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
carlamaeshep's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.5
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and am grateful for the chance to review the book. Durga returns to her childhood home and her grandmother. An accident sees her grandmother in hospital. The ensuing narrative changes between now and then following the lives of Durga's grandmother and mother. Things are not always as they seem and in this case it seems that Mary (Durga's grandma and parent) has lived a life creating a truth different from the actual truth. I wanted to enjoy this book but it felt fragmented, it felt difficult to create an apparent storyline. The book was narrative driven but that drive felt anything but straight forward.
Mary had a difficult life and it appears that she tried to wrap this into alternative histories for herself and her granddaughter. However I cannot decide which is real and which is Mary's fairytales. The characterisation is painted too thinly to aid the interpretation of the narrative. I feel this book could have been a masterpiece But just failed to cross the gap that would take it to that level
Mary had a difficult life and it appears that she tried to wrap this into alternative histories for herself and her granddaughter. However I cannot decide which is real and which is Mary's fairytales. The characterisation is painted too thinly to aid the interpretation of the narrative. I feel this book could have been a masterpiece But just failed to cross the gap that would take it to that level