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Reviews
Notting Hill Carnival (Quick Reads): A West Side Story (Quick Reads 2020) by Candice Carty-Williams
lindyloureads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.0
ionaxx's review
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.75
romanaromana's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
1 star.
Brutally honest, but I can't deny that I have basically nothing good to say about this novella. I appreciate that it's a Quick Read, and likely something written quite quickly and perhaps with less attention or editing than a full novel, but Notting Hill Carnival honestly read like it was written by a completely different author.
The writing itself was incredibly basic and saturated with cliches. The characters had nothing for me to vouch for or interest me. The setting could have been a huge aspect, but it was given no time by Candice Carty-Williams bar a few dispassionate, uninspired lines.
And in terms of plot, I understand that Carty-Williams was working with a well-established story, but there was no sense of life in her adaptation. There was no heart to what she was doing and the whole thing fell flat as a result. A real shame because I know this author has a lot more to offer.
Brutally honest, but I can't deny that I have basically nothing good to say about this novella. I appreciate that it's a Quick Read, and likely something written quite quickly and perhaps with less attention or editing than a full novel, but Notting Hill Carnival honestly read like it was written by a completely different author.
The writing itself was incredibly basic and saturated with cliches. The characters had nothing for me to vouch for or interest me. The setting could have been a huge aspect, but it was given no time by Candice Carty-Williams bar a few dispassionate, uninspired lines.
And in terms of plot, I understand that Carty-Williams was working with a well-established story, but there was no sense of life in her adaptation. There was no heart to what she was doing and the whole thing fell flat as a result. A real shame because I know this author has a lot more to offer.
books_kpop_and_concerts's review
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? It's complicated
3.5
fcutolohope's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
btpbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
From the bestselling author of Queenie comes this little beauty at just over 100 pages. Now I don’t know what I was expecting here but what I read wasn’t it. From the cover I was expecting chick-lit, fun & romance. I was wrong. But what a brilliant story this was. One that taught me not to judge a book by its cover.
It’s all about two gangs coming head to head. War. Fights. But surely there becomes a point when we are all too old for that? Well in this story there is a point that stops it all and not a very good one. A scary one that happens multiple of times everyday even now. But it’s also a part love story when two members of the opposite gangs fall in love. Oooh. A brilliant heart warming ending which left me wanting more.
A story which proves love wins. Bullies lose. Amazing story. Eye opening. Life lesson learnt. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.
It’s all about two gangs coming head to head. War. Fights. But surely there becomes a point when we are all too old for that? Well in this story there is a point that stops it all and not a very good one. A scary one that happens multiple of times everyday even now. But it’s also a part love story when two members of the opposite gangs fall in love. Oooh. A brilliant heart warming ending which left me wanting more.
A story which proves love wins. Bullies lose. Amazing story. Eye opening. Life lesson learnt. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.
faemorgan's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable quick read, though I have no idea of the whole "West Side Story" part because I've never watched/read it. (Can't remember if it's a play, movie or book.) The ending was cute. Hated Den overall and I wasn't keen on Pinky or Zora, though those two get redeemed at the end. Also liked the representation.
bookishbursnoll's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic quick read
An amazing quick read! I read it in one sitting as the storyline was so good. Really apt for reading right now too. Thoroughly recommend for a quick read
An amazing quick read! I read it in one sitting as the storyline was so good. Really apt for reading right now too. Thoroughly recommend for a quick read
elomaraaa's review
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75