Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - NW

A really interesting study of the complex relationship between two childhood friends who grow up together in a housing estate in North-West London. The setting is so vivid and well-described through the many characters involved in the story. The story only really picks up from the third section, and the show-don’t-tell nature of the writing means a lot of brain power is required to really understand the plot, but there are some very interesting discussions about the intersection between race and class and about pressures put on women in the workplace and at home.

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jillaay_h's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
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

4.0

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deenmachine's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-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

3.5

At times the character sketches felt indulgent. Like they were just there to show how well Zadie Smith can write extremely location-specifix dialogue, especially Felix's section.

I thought the storyline in Leah's part

where she secretly has an abortion and taking birth control

was so compelling and wish there was more time devoted to her motives.

My favorite Zadie Smith is still On Beauty.

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jojo_'s review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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mattyyreadsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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becksusername's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I feel like I need to re-read this book immediately.

why was Nathan Bogel a person of interest re: Felix's death? I don't understand the connection Keisha drew there. Did she just want to reinforce her own classist bs? Did I miss something? tf

Unfortunately it's due back at the library so I might have to stew in it for a while

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my_plant_library's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious reflective 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

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treegirl22's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

The writing is so skilful and beautiful in passages. The use of structure and changing structure is very effective and adds to the characterisation. I found that Felix's narrative didn't seem to fit in as well as Leah and Keisha/Natalie's. Partly because it is a lot shorter and less intertwined but I know others disagree. As a non-Londoner I didn't get all the references but there is still a very strong sense of place coming through so I feel I did not miss out too much. I found the ending a bit abrupt and confusing.

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