Scan barcode
scoutfinch75's review
5.0
I identified with Darya more than I thought possible. I'm not sure I have the words to explain just how incredible this book is, but I'll give it a go.
It never ceases to amaze me how we blame ourselves for circumstances beyond our control. How we punish ourselves and cause our hearts so much pain. Darya reminded me, time and time again that at some point, we have to pick up the pieces and try and put our lives back together.
Every word of this book is just so spot on. Every emotion plays out so accurately and genuinely, that it took my breath away.
Finding your way in the world is hard. As most teenagers find out, acting grown up and feeling grown up aren't the same thing. Dreams are supposed to be chased, but when tragedy turns your life upside down, how are you expected to know how to carry on?
Darya is both innocent and naive, in a world full of people desperate to take advantage of that naivety and steal that innocence. I could see what was about to happen and it hurt so much, because I knew that when I was her age, I was just like that too.
I found certain pages so painful to read that I had to stop, remind myself to breathe and then, wiping the tears from my face, return to the story.
But this is a story of hope, of opportunities, dreams and adventure. Of finding out who you are, who you want to be, where you want to be, and having the strength to be true to yourself.
I realise that this is an emotional rambling. But I wanted to write it down now, with a red blotchy face and the tears not yet dried, being completely honest about the emotions this book has invoked.
This is a story that will stay with me forever.
It never ceases to amaze me how we blame ourselves for circumstances beyond our control. How we punish ourselves and cause our hearts so much pain. Darya reminded me, time and time again that at some point, we have to pick up the pieces and try and put our lives back together.
Every word of this book is just so spot on. Every emotion plays out so accurately and genuinely, that it took my breath away.
Finding your way in the world is hard. As most teenagers find out, acting grown up and feeling grown up aren't the same thing. Dreams are supposed to be chased, but when tragedy turns your life upside down, how are you expected to know how to carry on?
Darya is both innocent and naive, in a world full of people desperate to take advantage of that naivety and steal that innocence. I could see what was about to happen and it hurt so much, because I knew that when I was her age, I was just like that too.
I found certain pages so painful to read that I had to stop, remind myself to breathe and then, wiping the tears from my face, return to the story.
But this is a story of hope, of opportunities, dreams and adventure. Of finding out who you are, who you want to be, where you want to be, and having the strength to be true to yourself.
I realise that this is an emotional rambling. But I wanted to write it down now, with a red blotchy face and the tears not yet dried, being completely honest about the emotions this book has invoked.
This is a story that will stay with me forever.
illbefinealone's review against another edition
4.0
Mother Tongue is a heartbreaking story inspired by The Beslan siege that happened in 2004. I was unfamiliar with this event before reading the book, however after I finished it I fell down a bit of a hole and read a whole lot.
This is a coming of age story about Darya, who survived the siege, but lost her little sister in it. I thought is was written well and that Mayhew managed to capture survivor's guilt and PTSD perfectly. The book had it's frustrating moments too, but I think it was intentional to show what dealing with mental illness really is like.
I think this is a wonderful read, definitely a roller coaster of emotion. I enjoyed it a lot.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 4/5 stars
This is a coming of age story about Darya, who survived the siege, but lost her little sister in it. I thought is was written well and that Mayhew managed to capture survivor's guilt and PTSD perfectly. The book had it's frustrating moments too, but I think it was intentional to show what dealing with mental illness really is like.
I think this is a wonderful read, definitely a roller coaster of emotion. I enjoyed it a lot.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 4/5 stars
always_need_more_books's review against another edition
4.0
I met Julie Mayhew at a YA evening at Waterstones in Brighton along with 3 very other talented YA authors. I'd decided to only buy one book and chose Mother Tongue as it sounded the most unusual.
The story is set in Russia in 2004 and is told from the viewpoint of Darya, a teenager who is looking forward to September, when her little sister will be starting school. Darya has cared for Nika since she was born and is looking forward to starting her own life maybe get a job. A devastating tradegy unfolds (based on the true story of the school siege at Beslan) and everything gets turned on its head.
This is a beautifully written book in which we see the emotions of Darya, and how she, her family and her fellow townspeople deal with the aftermath. The descriptions of life in Russia are evocative and I spent the whole book rooting for Darya to find happiness or at least acceptance.
The story is set in Russia in 2004 and is told from the viewpoint of Darya, a teenager who is looking forward to September, when her little sister will be starting school. Darya has cared for Nika since she was born and is looking forward to starting her own life maybe get a job. A devastating tradegy unfolds (based on the true story of the school siege at Beslan) and everything gets turned on its head.
This is a beautifully written book in which we see the emotions of Darya, and how she, her family and her fellow townspeople deal with the aftermath. The descriptions of life in Russia are evocative and I spent the whole book rooting for Darya to find happiness or at least acceptance.
shannonreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
4.5-5 stars.
Gorgeously written YA novel, focusing on trauma, grief, what it means to be a family, and home. I will write a longer review soon.
Meanwhile, I'll say this: this book is something special.
Gorgeously written YA novel, focusing on trauma, grief, what it means to be a family, and home. I will write a longer review soon.
Meanwhile, I'll say this: this book is something special.
tjlcody's review against another edition
3.0
Started off very interesting, very compelling, but then kind of fell into a lull.
starofthelakereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Утро вечера мудренее." - The morning is wiser than the evening.
The story was a bit redundant, but I learned about another side of Russia nonetheless!
The story was a bit redundant, but I learned about another side of Russia nonetheless!
erine's review
4.0
Grief is a monster in its own right, and here we explore all the various responses to that complicated process. In the wake of a terrorist attack (details of the hows and whys are pretty fuzzy - this could be any kind of school shooting or similar event), the victims’ relatives must wait to hear if their loved ones have survived, they must deal with funerals and memorials, some emerge from mental illness, others channel their feelings into violence, and Darya finds she must leave her home to find a new purpose.
I thought Darya’s arc was heartbreaking, but pretty realistic. Grieving her sister, who she’s raised as a daughter for seven years, Darya struggles in her hometown. She latches on to the idea that traveling to Moscow will act as a fresh start, but she quickly gets in over her head.
Terrorism, death, sex.
I thought Darya’s arc was heartbreaking, but pretty realistic. Grieving her sister, who she’s raised as a daughter for seven years, Darya struggles in her hometown. She latches on to the idea that traveling to Moscow will act as a fresh start, but she quickly gets in over her head.
Spoiler
I’m glad she ends up back home, even though it felt like everything there was sucking the life out of her for a while.Terrorism, death, sex.
taegibee's review
3.0
The first 100 pages were absolutely devastating, and I was't sure after my heart was broken and stamped on if I could even continue. 'Mother Tongue' is incredibly raw and powerful, and unlike any other YA book I've read.