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bekah_greenhaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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
bethany_jade's review against another edition
4.0
Love the almost lyrical writing style and the way Daphne captures the many facets of girlhood
princzukos's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“We leave, we leave, we leave. We always leave. It is in our blood to leave. But perhaps it’s also in our blood to return” (pg. 137)
Synopsis: A collection of short stories and think pieces of what it’s like growing up as women of color from the dregs of Queens, New York.
likes:
- pacing -- quick read
- representation: there is no one specific race/ethnicity that was prominent in this book since it was narrated as if it was a consensus of all types of women of color -- i thought it was a cool concept. the author also perfectly portrayed the guilt WOC feel when they leave their homes and childhood friends behind to pursue a degree, which is something i resonate deeply with
dislikes:
- i wish the chapters were much longer, but i think this is a great piece of literature to start with then delving into the topic of race, diversity, and inclusivity (i would <b>LOVE</b> to see this being taught in schools!!)
comments:
i wanted to hate this book at first b/c i thought it was going to be a rupi kaur-esque (idc for rupi kaur) x house on mango street type of book, but it’s not like that at all!
Synopsis: A collection of short stories and think pieces of what it’s like growing up as women of color from the dregs of Queens, New York.
likes:
- pacing -- quick read
- representation: there is no one specific race/ethnicity that was prominent in this book since it was narrated as if it was a consensus of all types of women of color -- i thought it was a cool concept. the author also perfectly portrayed the guilt WOC feel when they leave their homes and childhood friends behind to pursue a degree, which is something i resonate deeply with
dislikes:
- i wish the chapters were much longer, but i think this is a great piece of literature to start with then delving into the topic of race, diversity, and inclusivity (i would <b>LOVE</b> to see this being taught in schools!!)
comments:
i wanted to hate this book at first b/c i thought it was going to be a rupi kaur-esque (
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Xenophobia, Racism, Car accident, Homophobia, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Infidelity, Islamophobia, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, and Rape
gin_spiration's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? N/A
4.0
I picked this without knowing what I would be reading but I was more than pleasantly surprised by the end.
The writing is fabulous — the narratives, so raw and open, full of hope and vulnerability — they draw you in and keep you engaged completely.
It’s a stark reality that these girls face — themes of racism, familial expectations and crippling realism as they get older and begin to understand the world around them. It’s an insight that you don’t forget, an insight that makes you think about your own experiences and often, privileges.
This was an incredible piece of writing and would highly recommend.
kendragaylelee's review against another edition
4.0
Totally didn't get that this wasn't going to be a novel, so it took me a minute to settle in.
But the edginess, vulnerability, sadness, anger, joy, and realness of the characters won me over. As each woman narrated her experience with racism, sexism, family, school, expectations (or lack of), dreams, resignation, identity, desire... I felt like I was eavesdropping on a very private conversation for and to Brown Girls. The whole book was really well woven together and balanced. Incredibly well done. 100% worth your time.
But the edginess, vulnerability, sadness, anger, joy, and realness of the characters won me over. As each woman narrated her experience with racism, sexism, family, school, expectations (or lack of), dreams, resignation, identity, desire... I felt like I was eavesdropping on a very private conversation for and to Brown Girls. The whole book was really well woven together and balanced. Incredibly well done. 100% worth your time.
battramsysni's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
thebookmagpie's review against another edition
3.5
The writing is great in this and there was a lot to enjoy about it, but the scope created by the narrative device of writing in first person plural leads to a sort of weightlessness - I couldn’t really become emotionally involved because there were only generalities with which to become involved.
georgiarose710's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0