Reviews tagging 'Deportation'

Spring by Ali Smith

9 reviews

nreyno's review

challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Islamophobia, Torture, Xenophobia, Trafficking, War, Confinement, Death, Deportation, and Racism

withlivjones's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A really interesting read, definitely not what I expected just from reading the back of the book, but I would honestly recommend going into any Ali Smith book not knowing anything about its contents. I loved the first part of the book, with the non-chronological exploration of the relationship between Richard and Paddy. I also found Brit’s character fascinating to read - she is definitely not a likeable character but she is a very interesting one, and there are many real people like her who simply close themselves off when presented with something that challenges their worldview. Ali Smith is a master of character creation - she makes these very unique and specific characters that shouldn’t meet on a normal day, and then forces them together. 

I have two main issues with the book. The first is that I didn’t really understand the character of Florence, although perhaps she’s not meant to be understood. Her powers of invisibility as explained in the book made sense to a point, but past that she seemed overpowered in a way that made everything very convenient for the other characters. The second issue is that the book just doesn’t feel seasonal enough. The “present day” portion of the story happens in October, which isn’t even in Spring! Something I really loved about Winter was that the bleakness of the writing perfectly matched the tone of the season, and the fact that the main story takes place over Christmas helps with that too, and I just didn’t get that same feeling in this book. 

I still love Ali Smith’s writing, and she told a very important story in this book, but I’m hoping the rest of the series will improve from this instalment. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Deportation, and Grief

Moderate: Sexism, Death, and Racism

racbuckallew's review

challenging emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

!!!! Cannot emphasize this enough. Smith is a firecracker and this book is so important (and special! the pacing is probably the best of the quartet. it’s quick. whiplash/back and forth like spring. beginnings/endings). holy shit

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Deportation, and Confinement

Minor: Sexual content, Rape, and Violence

dorothygrace's review

challenging dark funny informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Deportation

Minor: Death of parent

carlytenille's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Cancer, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Deportation, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, and Grief

itsbumley's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Suicide, Trafficking, Classism, Colonisation, Deportation, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

megsotto's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Deportation, Confinement, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Grief, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Cancer

ruthmoog's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

4.5

This has been my favourite so far of the series (3 of 4). It is perhaps the most story-led and less abstract than Autumn and Winter.

It's still in keeping with the poetic and brash style with political commentary. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Racial slurs

Moderate: Deportation

Incarceration

annashan's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deportation

Moderate: Trafficking