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dianapiskor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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
4.25
I read this book for my teacher book club and I thought this was a beautiful story. About love, loss, resilience, family, friendship, identity, and the beauty and flaws of humanity, I thought this book was poignant and thought provoking.
The beginning and first half of the novel was captivating and engaging. Even though a variety of characters are introduced, the short chapters, almost like small glimpses into the way the characters were feeling and thinking kept the me entertained. The author structures the story so that everything is supposed to come together in the end. I thought that was a really fascinating way to tell this multigenerational story.
However, will say that I don’t think the author quite gets there where everything connects at the end. I think there were too many POV toward the last half of the book. Because the big reveals are in the first half of the book, it feels like the second half needed filler, hence the large amount of POV switches and introduction of other characters.
Overall, while the story lost some of its sparkle toward the end, I still really liked this book and will be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Minor: Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Sexual assault
ekmook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Sexual violence
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had the privilege of reading this book early through book of the month and I'm so happy that I chose it. From the first few chapters, I had a feeling that this would be a 5 star read. A lot of times when I think that, I turn out to be wrong, but I was delighted to find that this time, I was right. This book begins with the death of Eleanor Bennett, the family matriarch, who has left a voice recording for her two children Benny and Byron that reveals secrets that stretch all the way back to the Caribbean, where Eleanor originated.
This book was so beautifully written. I tabbed a ton of quotes that I absolutely loved throughout, and often had to close the book so that I could gather my thoughts before opening it up again. I think this book does such a good job at capturing grief, and different types of it. The grief you feel when things are unresolved with a loved one who is gone, the grief of losing someone you were close to, and even the grief you can feel for someone who is still alive, but you're not speaking with. I also liked how it carried the theme of food being a piece of home, a piece of your heritage, to the point where Eleanor Bennett's Black Cake became a character in the story itself.
As for the plot, it was really fun trying to connect the different stories together as everything fell into place, and I loved the parallels that were drawn between different characters in tragic but also heartwarming ways.
This has nothing to do with my feelings on this book, but I wrote in my journal: "Every character in this book needs therapy" and I stand by that!
This book was so beautifully written. I tabbed a ton of quotes that I absolutely loved throughout, and often had to close the book so that I could gather my thoughts before opening it up again. I think this book does such a good job at capturing grief, and different types of it. The grief you feel when things are unresolved with a loved one who is gone, the grief of losing someone you were close to, and even the grief you can feel for someone who is still alive, but you're not speaking with. I also liked how it carried the theme of food being a piece of home, a piece of your heritage, to the point where Eleanor Bennett's Black Cake became a character in the story itself.
As for the plot, it was really fun trying to connect the different stories together as everything fell into place, and I loved the parallels that were drawn between different characters in tragic but also heartwarming ways.
This has nothing to do with my feelings on this book, but I wrote in my journal: "Every character in this book needs therapy" and I stand by that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Murder, Death, Grief, Racism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Trafficking, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Police brutality, Medical content, Pedophilia, and Cancer
Minor: Sexual content
sarahsuds's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Lesbophobia, and Rape
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