Reviews

Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid

alexsiae's review

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

t1nt1n's review

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

saf_reads's review

reflective medium-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

4.0

this was an interesting read. I am always a fan of a complex female protagonist. Lucy is definitely that. 

there was so much i appreciated in this novel, the portrayal of a complex mother daughter relationship and how much that shapes you into your adulthood. i found myself relating to Lucy in some of those aspects. 

she had so much integrity and was  unapologetic which i loved, she wasn’t someone who can be walked all over. i think that’s why i was so intrigued by her relationship with Mariah. you can tell how much mariah wanted her to be this perfect ‘servant’ who she could use as a companion in a way that benefits her moral compass. all those micro aggressions… only real ‘friendship’ requires the other person to be free and without any form of power imbalance present. great representation of white women.

I read this for my book club and i can not wait to discuss the intricacies of this novel. so much to discuss and so many new perspectives to discover!

tlaynejones's review

fast-paced

5.0

pywacket's review

challenging emotional fast-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

5.0

plankpot's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

4.25

be13's review

emotional reflective

5.0

htoo's review

dark emotional funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I prefer Lucy over Annie John. Lucy is just a very relatable narrator, especially for someone who is also from the Global South. I chuckle every time she bashes the British Empire and Mariah's white women antics. This is a must read coming of age story that centers class and colonialism. 

milliei's review against another edition

3.0

3.5* me and audio books haven’t become friends yet. I’m trying my best! The experience with the story about Lucy shone light on another perspective regarding moving across the world which I appreciate. She was strong and naive while at the same time she wasn’t naive at all? In the end it was a solid book.

seeyouinorbit's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Lucy has many layers and I got to know her as each of them was peeled back to reveal this complex woman. I felt like I knew her, I’ve had thoughts and feelings like her, I was her. Her sense of alienation at home, the tumultuous relationship with her mother, her anger at the world and navigating the world as a Black woman in a patriarchal society. I loved how she chose to go against all of this and the expectations given to her to be a “good” woman. She’s a strong character. She knows what she wants, but other times she doesn’t. She’s also callous and vulnerable. Through her vulnerabilities and strong emotions you learn she wants what everyone wants in their life, to belong somewhere and to be loved. She felt so real- I think she’s become one of my favorite literary characters. I got to live vicariously through her and cheer her on in her journey of rebellion and falling in love with herself. Lucy, and Jamaica Kincaid’s writing, had such astute observations I was swept away by the descriptions. It was exhilarating to see how she sees the world because I see the world like that too.