Reviews

A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi

nairam1173's review

emotional reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

jmbq_reads's review against another edition

4.0

First off, I support the HarperCollins Union in their fight for fair wages and benefits as well as diversity representation. And this book demonstrates why more diverse voices are needed in publishing.

This retelling of The Secret Garden proved to be more memorable and more nuanced than the original, a book I felt just "okay" about in past reading. Maria, the main character in A Bit of Earth, hails originally from Lahore, Pakistan, but due to her parents' deaths, she ends up shuffled around family until she ends up on Long Island in the custody of an old friend of her parents. The book perfectly captures the anger and antisocial aspects of grief as well as the hyperawareness that one's brown skin causes others to pre-judge and dismiss one. However, it also beautifully depicts the healing power of nature and friendship to help a girl (and a boy) to find a way through that grief.

An improvement on the classic novel in every way. Four stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

cboddie's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

5th & up

patchworkwitch's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective

4.5

ginameix's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

leahjanespeare's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

4.0

A very sweet Pakistani-angled retelling of The Secret Garden. It's pretty sad and deals with parental grief as Maria adjusts to life on a new continent and away from any family she knows or feels close to. It also has good themes of friendship for kids learning how to navigate those relationships.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

ahoyhoy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.75

MADE ME CRY. god im a sucker of secret garden retelling. on the south asian aspect very good rep felt very seen. only thing is that i kind of wish that 

the story didnt end on an abrupt note . there is a confrontation with colins dad and it just ends . i kind of felt i wanted a sense of what life was like afterwards. however i understand that that is the same ending as the original book and i cannot fault it as it was such a close retelling in spirit. its iffy bc i perhaps if it had happened would have felt a bit off to me . theres always daydreams tho. colins and maria's relationship si so sweet their development as family literally makes me insane its SO SWEEET. lindsey yes i love her devleopment too . one thing is that the grandma's sudden turn at the end felt out of character to me so i would wish that there was more of a setup to her change at the end yeah i love this book

 

kiperoo's review against another edition

5.0

Lovely, lovely retelling. Absolutely adored the verse! And I loved Maria's prickly personality and grit. So much better than the original story. Had me in tears at the end.

cedardleland's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

3.0

creativelifeofliz's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this The Secret Garden retelling and the chance to see Maria figure out who she is and who her family is.