Reviews

Soucouyant by David Chariandy

Only show reviews with written explanations

ovenbird_reads's review against another edition

5.0

Deeply moving, intensely and beautifully written. My favourite aspect was the ongoing investigation of language and our struggle to find appropriate words, our ability to forge new ones, and our strange capacity to understand even in the places where language is falling apart. While this is a book about dementia, the act of forgetting, re-imagining, and grasping at language proves not to be only the territory of the afflicted. It emerges as a place where many people struggle and the struggle is at the core of the relational issues between the book's characters. I was completely absorbed by the linguistic play, deterioration, and creativity. I will be reading more of Chariandy for sure!

katekree's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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? No

3.0

debbie_likes_to_read_books's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional

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

3.0

emmaahmed's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.25

amn028's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A beautifully written story about a son struggling to deal with his mother's early on-set dementia. The prose is descriptive without being wordy. It almost reads like poetry in some sections. It explores family ties, racism, struggles of first generation child feeling pulled between old traditions and new expectations. It packs a lot into a small book.