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karrama's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably a better book than I rated it. I would have rated it a 2 star book, but really, I'm more sick of the genre than have bad feelings for this book. A woman writes letters that she never sends, then her husband finds them years later and relives the "devastating series of consequences" of both their lives and choices personal and governmental colonialism. :P I read this before by many authors in many distressed and tortured souls and countries/times.
anna_needsanap's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
katiemorag22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
lahowitt's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wasn’t sure about this book until halfway through, then I really loved it. I’ll need to do more reading about Trinidad and Tobago.
philippakmoore's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful, evocative and captivating tale. Roffey is a wonderful writer, and I can't wait to read her memoir that's coming out soon. I was drawn in by discussions about this book on Twitter (!) and found it transported me from my lunch break in sunny London to sweltering, overpowering Trinidad. I could almost smell the rum and the dust. Her characters are finely drawn and likeable, if not certainly understandable. The novel sketches a portrait of a marriage that has its flaws and cracks the two people have tried to paper over, it discusses the nature of secrets, of love, of disappointment and resentment, of what it means to belong, and does living somewhere give you the right to want to stay there...? Very pertinent question for myself. So much to intrigue and absorb. Recommended.
dsouth20's review
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kathieboucher's review against another edition
4.0
The turmoil of politics in post-colonial Trinidad as seen through the eyes of a reluctant resident, a woman living there because of her husband's career. It's the making and the breaking of their family, over 40 years.
bluestarfish's review
3.0
This book is set in Trinidad, and while we do see it through the lens of this European couple (George and Sabine) and their other expat acquaintances, I felt I learned at least something about this island and it's journey to independence. The use of real people interwoven into the story made sense as Sabine tried to make sense of her life on this island, a life she never wanted. I didn't really like the structure of the book and the way it ended in the middle, but there was plenty going on here that I did enjoy.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. Well this wasn't awfully written, it could have been a very compelling story. I just didn't enjoy my time with it, can't really put my finger on why.
akenny614's review against another edition
4.0
Ryan bought this for me for Christmas, just after I had bought my own green Schwinn Varsity :)