Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell

2 reviews

impla77's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.25

I have mixed feelings on this book. I liked the stories of the grandmothers and mothers much more than those of the children, which is really when the story becomes more intertwined. Its defo very ambitious, perhaps too much so. Just some aspects don’t really work. Also perplexed why this was even categorised as a sci fi book, let alone won awards for being a sci fi book, when the sci fi element is clumsily incorporated and almost tacked on towards the end. I would be interested in reading more books from this author, but perhaps would like a smaller scale story.

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thecolourblue's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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

4.5

So good. Loved the intergenerational story-telling, how Serpall wove these stories together like slowly unveiling a giant tapestry. The subtlety of the sci-fi elements being introduced made lulls you into the false sense of security that you might actually understand this world until the implications strike. Skillful narrative building. 

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