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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
This was a very different book for me. It was, at times, a hard read. First, the author's writing style did not implement punctuation at all. It was reminiscent of poetry and diary entries. I quickly adjusted to it though. Secondly, there are many characters and you learn of their stories. They are all interconnected. Lastly, the stories were not in order. I would suggest that a reader keeps tabs or notes to keep each character straight and remember how one character relates to another. But what really effected me was certain events. I started this book because my job's book club was reading it. So, I didn't see certain traumatizing events coming. I kind of wish it had a trigger warning. Sadly, any story of so many women will have traumatic events. This book was reflective of that. By the end, I had to finish the book and I'm glad I did. This is a very different book but a good one.
En [b:Niña, mujer, otras|51477392|Niña, mujer, otras|Bernardine Evaristo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582119173l/51477392._SX50_.jpg|64185267] encontramos doce historias que componen una novela coral. Cada relato podría ser autoconclusivo, no hay una unión de tramas (excepto en un par) que necesite la lectura de todas las historias. Sin embargo, sí que vemos conexiones entre las protagonistas. Quizás el personaje de quien se nos hablará en el siguiente relato sale mencionado en el actual o ha hecho algún cameo en textos anteriores. Así que, pese a ser una novela fragmentada, sí que existe una unión que consigue que la experiencia de leer este libro sea muy satisfactoria, como encajar las piezas de un puzle.
No solo eso, el estilo de escritura se salta ciertas convenciones gramaticales (no usa mayúsculas, los diálogos están integrados en el texto general y no hay casi ningún punto), y hace que la lectura sea muy fluida al poco de empezar a leer. Aunque no es algo novedoso, por ejemplo, en [b:Del color de la leche|18510721|Del color de la leche|Nell Leyshon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379377142l/18510721._SY75_.jpg|19016279] de Nell Leyshon podemos ver algo similar. Esta decisión estilística no deja de ser una forma de reivindicar mediante el lenguaje cómo el discurso está unido a lo cultural y cómo, queramos o no, nos limita. Sobre todo cuando hablamos de mezclas culturales e incluso raciales. Y esto vendría a ser algo así como defender el derecho a tener una voz propia pese al riesgo de exclusión por salirse de lo convencional o de lo normativo. Eso sí, no lo catalogaría para nada como «escritura poética». Partir oraciones en prosa no convierte al texto en poético, marca ciertos ritmos y adquiere otra musicalidad, pero no, rupi, eso no es poesía. Además, no creo que esa supuesta poesía sea la intención de la autora, más bien creo que sería la de trasladar la tradición de la narración oral al texto escrito.
Lectura muy recomendable para comprender, aunque solo sea la punta del iceberg, la situación de la comunidad negra y afrodescendiente en el Reino Unido. Desde un punto de vista feminista y liberador, y también frustrante, por supuesto, al escuchar los relatos de violencia, tanto machista como racista, al que las protagonistas se enfrentan. Quizás le sobran un par o tres de historias cuyo tono es bastante similar entre sí y hacen que el libro sea un pelín demasiado largo.
Es un libro que, pese a mostrar historias duras, realistas y de prejuicios brutales, también ofrece una sensación de hermandad que te arropa y da cierta calidez, o al menos así lo he sentido al finalizar. Un Booker muy merecido.
No solo eso, el estilo de escritura se salta ciertas convenciones gramaticales (no usa mayúsculas, los diálogos están integrados en el texto general y no hay casi ningún punto), y hace que la lectura sea muy fluida al poco de empezar a leer. Aunque no es algo novedoso, por ejemplo, en [b:Del color de la leche|18510721|Del color de la leche|Nell Leyshon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379377142l/18510721._SY75_.jpg|19016279] de Nell Leyshon podemos ver algo similar. Esta decisión estilística no deja de ser una forma de reivindicar mediante el lenguaje cómo el discurso está unido a lo cultural y cómo, queramos o no, nos limita. Sobre todo cuando hablamos de mezclas culturales e incluso raciales. Y esto vendría a ser algo así como defender el derecho a tener una voz propia pese al riesgo de exclusión por salirse de lo convencional o de lo normativo. Eso sí, no lo catalogaría para nada como «escritura poética». Partir oraciones en prosa no convierte al texto en poético, marca ciertos ritmos y adquiere otra musicalidad, pero no, rupi, eso no es poesía. Además, no creo que esa supuesta poesía sea la intención de la autora, más bien creo que sería la de trasladar la tradición de la narración oral al texto escrito.
Lectura muy recomendable para comprender, aunque solo sea la punta del iceberg, la situación de la comunidad negra y afrodescendiente en el Reino Unido. Desde un punto de vista feminista y liberador, y también frustrante, por supuesto, al escuchar los relatos de violencia, tanto machista como racista, al que las protagonistas se enfrentan. Quizás le sobran un par o tres de historias cuyo tono es bastante similar entre sí y hacen que el libro sea un pelín demasiado largo.
Es un libro que, pese a mostrar historias duras, realistas y de prejuicios brutales, también ofrece una sensación de hermandad que te arropa y da cierta calidez, o al menos así lo he sentido al finalizar. Un Booker muy merecido.
I just reread this for book club (read it the first time three years ago) and the characters came right back to me. Definitely enjoyed giving this another read
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I enjoyed this book a lot!
The characters and their stories and voices felt really distinct despite there being a dozen of them. The stories are very engaging, and it's fun to spot the links between them and to realize the differences between characters' perceptions. (My only gripe is how emotionally easy the resolution of one of the characters' stories at the very end of the book turned out to be.)
I kept switching between the audio book and the printed copy -- the audio book narrator did a brilliant job, but seeing the unusual formatting also added something to the reading experience.
The characters and their stories and voices felt really distinct despite there being a dozen of them. The stories are very engaging, and it's fun to spot the links between them and to realize the differences between characters' perceptions. (My only gripe is how emotionally easy the resolution of one of the characters' stories at the very end of the book turned out to be.)
I kept switching between the audio book and the printed copy -- the audio book narrator did a brilliant job, but seeing the unusual formatting also added something to the reading experience.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So many women to love in this book. Excellent story weaving, too! Amma, Yazz, Hattie (my favorite!), Megan/Morgan, Winsome, Shirley, Carole, Penelope. I know I will think back on them often. And miss them. Well done, Ms. Evaristo!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Found this a very impressive, enjoyable read. Each section about a different character, all sections connect within chapters and across the book. Distinct voices, powerful style. Was a bit hard to keep track of everyone by the end, and the ending was a bit too tidy, but satisfying.
Beautifully written book, I loved it.
Evaristo brings each of the characters alive and gives them such depth. It should be jarring to move from a deep dive into one character to another in each chapter but given the author’s mastery in developing the characters for you, you get over it pretty quickly and are looking forward to being acquainted with this new person and seeing how they relate to the previous one. The change in language and thinking between each character is also masterful and demonstrates the author’s range of knowledge.
The discussion in the book, both subtle and overt, on race, being British, having conflicted identities, etc. was gripping. I learnt a lot (and I know more than your average person about these themes). I regret not having read this with a pencil in hand to underline parts which resonated with me.
Note: Took me forever to finish as got sucked into work.
Evaristo brings each of the characters alive and gives them such depth. It should be jarring to move from a deep dive into one character to another in each chapter but given the author’s mastery in developing the characters for you, you get over it pretty quickly and are looking forward to being acquainted with this new person and seeing how they relate to the previous one. The change in language and thinking between each character is also masterful and demonstrates the author’s range of knowledge.
The discussion in the book, both subtle and overt, on race, being British, having conflicted identities, etc. was gripping. I learnt a lot (and I know more than your average person about these themes). I regret not having read this with a pencil in hand to underline parts which resonated with me.
Note: Took me forever to finish as got sucked into work.
