Reviews

Mr. Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo

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nongshaw's review against another edition

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3.0

nah yeah

ellielills's review against another edition

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4.5

everyone is a shithead 🙏 and yet i rooted for all 😶‍🌫️

acaprice20's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-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

Wow, this book was amazing! It came recommended but seemed out of step with my typical reads. I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone because this was so worth it. Every single character was full-bodied, complex, and realistic. I can only describe the story as a five course meal where every dish is dynamic in its own right. I will definitely be reading more books by this fabulous author.

pawswithabook's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-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

Married, with grown up daughters and a teenage grandson, seventy four year old Antiguan born Barrington Jedidiah Walker, Barry, for the past 60 years, has been in a secret relationship with the love of his life, Morris.

I adore Bernadine Evaristo’s writing, and this book is another triumph as she brings life to her characters by adopting their style and language.

The characters are so real and flawed, but oh so lovable… so vibrant they dance from the pages. I felt like I was experiencing life with them, and absolutely fell in love with Morris myself.

This is a book about complicated families, about the fear that prejudice causes, about the joy and sadness love can bring, about identity and belonging. It has serious points of reflection but the writing is full of energy, with an uplifting bounce and flows beautifully.

I LOVED this book and cannot wait to see the characters brought to life in the BBC adaptation. I’m not sure of the date but it can’t come soon enough!

samiara's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.5

darceybm's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition

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Lol. So I picked this up thinking it was going to be a lighthearted comedy feat. the sexcapades of some cheeky scoundrel, but.

It kind of is about that: the scoundrel is certainly cheeky, and since we are getting the story from his POV, all the damage he causes is minimised and rationalised away, which makes for fascinating reading. Barry is a great voice, his turns of phrase and endless charm (as he sees himself) is fun to read. But then, under the surface of that, the lies. The emotional, psychological fallout of his decisions and choices, and my sympathy for his situation rapidly diminished as I read on.

Loved how Evaristo included the stream of consciousness chapters from his wife's POV. Her bewilderment and hurt regarding her husband's behaviour, his lack of affection was heartbreaking. I found myself actively hoping that she'd go out and have an affair of her own, not just to even the score, but so she got to experience genuine LOVE at some point. And things are tied up neatly(ish) in a way that is gratifying if still bittersweet.