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annabarnardwright's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a slow burner with a lot of detail but I never felt bored.
Mike Gayle’s writing is very simple and easy to read, but both narrators had such distinct voices which made them fully believable and I loved both of them.
The plot caught me completely off guard, I didn’t see Kerry’s story coming at all and the last few chapters were a tough read. I liked how the story was about a sibling relationship rather than a love interest. I’d love to know what’s happening another 5 years down the line.
The balance between the main characters and central plot, and the minor characters and side plots felt perfect. Enough detail to feel realistic and give the story depth without wasting time or taking away from Noah and Kerry.
I’ll definitely be looking for more of Mike Gayle’s books to read.
Mike Gayle’s writing is very simple and easy to read, but both narrators had such distinct voices which made them fully believable and I loved both of them.
The plot caught me completely off guard, I didn’t see Kerry’s story coming at all and the last few chapters were a tough read. I liked how the story was about a sibling relationship rather than a love interest. I’d love to know what’s happening another 5 years down the line.
The balance between the main characters and central plot, and the minor characters and side plots felt perfect. Enough detail to feel realistic and give the story depth without wasting time or taking away from Noah and Kerry.
I’ll definitely be looking for more of Mike Gayle’s books to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Addiction
catladyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
tialowman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, Death, and Addiction
emilykatrinah's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Cancer, Terminal illness, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Toxic relationship
sophcart_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage
reading_with_rhi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Child abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage and Bullying
holly_ey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Miscarriage
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Half a World Away centres on a brother-sister relationship that was broken by the foster system and adoption. Kerry and Noah manage to reconnect as adults. Themes of class, race, the meaning of family, and the way the past shapes us are strong as are deficiencies in the foster system. I loved Kerry’s strength as a mother, the way Noah grew over the course of the story, and the warmth of the family relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
helendipietro's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I am so happy that I got round to reading this beautiful story. I had heard that it was an emotional one so I had some idea what might be about to happen whilst I was reading it however this did not take away from the plot and how deeply invested I was with the characters. It is a book that actually made me cry real tears and I feel like that is pretty amazing. 🥲
It intimately explores the idea that factors out of your control have such a profound effect on your life and where you end up. I loved the characters and their relationships which were shown at their best and worst. I particularly loved how it was written and for this reason I couldn’t put it down! I would highly recommend this book and already have to friends and family ❤️
It intimately explores the idea that factors out of your control have such a profound effect on your life and where you end up. I loved the characters and their relationships which were shown at their best and worst. I particularly loved how it was written and for this reason I couldn’t put it down! I would highly recommend this book and already have to friends and family ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness
Moderate: Infertility
hannahandabook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Oh man, what a rollercoaster this book was. I read the majority of this book over the course of a day, picking it up for a bit, then having a bit of a break, then picking it up again. It was pretty heavy going so the breaks were definitely needed.
I never cry when I read books. I may get a little bit teary eyed but I never properly cry. But this book had me absolutely bawling and that is entirely down to Mike Gayle's writing and how easily I was able to connect to the characters in this story. From the get go he opened them up to us, showed us their flaws, their histories, their desires in life. They were so vivid to me, it was as though they were characters in a show I’d been watching for years.
The exploration of the British class system and how your privilege, or lack of it, can affect your whole life was front and centre and raised a lot of important questions. It hit home just how lucky I am to come from a stable family and to never have experienced the difficulties that Kerry faces in this story. It’s why I think this book is a really important read for everyone.
I want to warn people that this book touches on some pretty heavy topics and I think you need to be in the right mindset to read it.
I never cry when I read books. I may get a little bit teary eyed but I never properly cry. But this book had me absolutely bawling and that is entirely down to Mike Gayle's writing and how easily I was able to connect to the characters in this story. From the get go he opened them up to us, showed us their flaws, their histories, their desires in life. They were so vivid to me, it was as though they were characters in a show I’d been watching for years.
The exploration of the British class system and how your privilege, or lack of it, can affect your whole life was front and centre and raised a lot of important questions. It hit home just how lucky I am to come from a stable family and to never have experienced the difficulties that Kerry faces in this story. It’s why I think this book is a really important read for everyone.
I want to warn people that this book touches on some pretty heavy topics and I think you need to be in the right mindset to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent