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oz2021's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Misogyny
babsbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Racism, Gore, Murder, and Gun violence
katy_bee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I found the characters well drawn and compelling, the mystery intriguing and the world building was excellent- and thought provoking.
The final chapters meander a little as the story enters its final twists but I was invested enough by then that I can forgive it!
Graphic: Racism, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, War, and Hate crime
runeonilyn's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore
jmblgr's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
In an alternate version of 1920s United States where Indigenous Americans have thrived instead of being nearly completely wiped out, a gruesome murder is discovered at the top of the Land Trust building. A nondescript white man has been killed in a brutal way, and the once peaceful Cahokia is now in frightened conflict. Detectives Barrow and Drummond begin to investigate and learn that not everything is at it seems.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's very possible that I'm just not smart enough for it, or reading it at a different time would make me feel differently about it. Who knows.
First, the pros. The writing is excellent. This is my first novel by Francis Spufford, and while I didn't love it, I would still read his other work
The plot is interesting and well planned.
The MC Barrow is well developed and I enjoyed reading his journey.
The alternate history of 1920s America was intriguing. It parallels the US of today in many ways, which is a sad reality of our society.
Now, the cons. It is evident we are meant to root for Barrow and despise Drummond (he's awful), however I wanted more. It's not particularly clear why Drummond does what he does or has his beliefs, unless I just missed it.
Some of the dialogue felt awkward.
There is a lot going on and I found it hard to follow at first.
The touch of romance felt unnecessary and out of p[ace.
The opening of the book pulled me in, then it dragged a bit, then got interesting again. I both liked and disliked the ending. I almost DNFed but I'm glad I stuck it out. And the author's note at the end made me appreciate it more, however I wish that was at the beginning of the book instead. So maybe read that first if you're interested? I can definitely see many readers loving this and I understand why there are 5 star reviews already. It will appeal to those who enjoy light historical fiction with a murder mystery. If you read it, let me know what you think!
Graphic: Blood, Racism, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Cursing, Murder, Animal death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
tamarant4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
'If you don’t pay attention to what things mean, you miss a piece of the puzzle. Without the meaning of things, without the stories people tell about them – that people believe about them – you can’t understand events, Detective. You can’t understand this city.’ [loc. 475]
Joe Barrow is an orphan who's drifted south from the icy winds of Chicago to Cahokia, that cosmopolitan city on the banks of the Mississippi 'where red and white and black have lived together in trust and confidence for fifty years'. It's 1922: the Ku Klux Klan is popular amongst the minority takata (folk of European origin); the taklousa (of African origin) have flocked south in the Mississippi Renaissance, to a city without Jim Crow laws; and the takouma (Native American), the majority of the city's population, have ensured that land, water and power are communally owned. Barrow, of mixed takouta and taklousa blood -- but without any comprehension of Anopa, the takouma lingua franca -- is working as a policeman, but that's just a job. He'd like to be playing piano with one or another of the jazz bands that swings through the city. The events of the week chronicled in Cahokia Jazz will force him to decide which life he truly wants.
The Man was standing on the topmost point of the Mound, Couma beside him. The grass was turning green around his shoes. Through an arch of flowers, an arch of bread, an arch of bones, comes the spring.
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Racism and Injury/Injury detail