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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really great perspective on how women are held to standards they create for themselves, as well as those imposed by society, which can sometimes include family members.
Also, how seemingly insignificant things we say can have such an impact on someone else's story.
The story reminded me that sometimes you tell yourself a lie or any other thought, and it becomes your reality even though it is not true, and nothing anyone says can change it.
Ladun, you are still a little too selfish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Police brutality, Abortion
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually have no words. I don't know what this was but I know it wasn't great. The characters were so annoying and the sometimes the choice of words felt so icky. Everytime something sexual was being described, it felt...so strange, borderline embarrassing is how I would describe it. I just didn't get the inclusion so frequently.
The writing was hard to read. I thought the sentence construction was really poor on like a grammatical level and maybe it's because I read and look at books as a writer. I was just thinking surely there is a better way to construct this sentence. Some parts of the prose were just words that added nothing to the story. There were too many pointless points of view and they were just filler chapters
The only character I liked was Tito. His thoughts were the only thoughts I did not mind reading. The writing is overly theatrical in a way that felt like this should have been a play instead. I especially hate the ending being so open ended. I feel like we at least deserved a solid ending knowing if Temi goes through with the surgery considering that being the major focus of the book inferred from the title. I hate how they didn't tell her why Ladun left when they had so many chances to and no reason not to.
Every chapter was unmemorable and I couldn't even tell you everything I didn't like because I simply don't remember what I read. I'm just going to say that something being out of the box or different doesn't make it good. I know the book is intended to be light hearted and comedic and I understand the necessity for those kinds of books but the writing has to be good regardless. It's not enough to just be "different"
The writing was hard to read. I thought the sentence construction was really poor on like a grammatical level and maybe it's because I read and look at books as a writer. I was just thinking surely there is a better way to construct this sentence. Some parts of the prose were just words that added nothing to the story. There were too many pointless points of view and they were just filler chapters
The only character I liked was Tito. His thoughts were the only thoughts I did not mind reading. The writing is overly theatrical in a way that felt like this should have been a play instead. I especially hate the ending being so open ended. I feel like we at least deserved a solid ending knowing if Temi goes through with the surgery considering that being the major focus of the book inferred from the title. I hate how they didn't tell her why Ladun left when they had so many chances to and no reason not to.
Every chapter was unmemorable and I couldn't even tell you everything I didn't like because I simply don't remember what I read. I'm just going to say that something being out of the box or different doesn't make it good. I know the book is intended to be light hearted and comedic and I understand the necessity for those kinds of books but the writing has to be good regardless. It's not enough to just be "different"
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75*
This is a humourous and touching family saga of the drama that unfolds when 20 year old Témì announces at her father's funeral that she is going to move to Lagos to get her 'bumbum' enhanced. What follows is an unfolding of family secrets and lies and the realisation that Témì might be the sanest member of her family.
I was intrigued by the premise of this story, given the pressure on women to look a certain way predominantly due to the pressure of social media and influencers and I wanted to read about this from the perspective of a country and culture different to my own (this book is set in Nigeria).
I really enjoyed being put into the middle of this chaotic situation. The narrative style really gave a sense of what it is to be a part of a large and intertwined family and from everything that I've got to know about Nigerian culture from friends and colleagues, it really captured that aspect of community that is so hugely important. The use of Nigerian Language and dialect interspersed with English was also a great way to add to this too.
There are a number of POVs in this story which can get confusing, but it means that it reads like what I expect it would be like being in the middle of that situation - multiple voices all shouting to be able to give their perspective and view on the situation, that concern about what others will think and how to uphold family honour.
In amongst these voices commenting on Témì's decision we also get backstory to the other women in her family and get to understand why the family dynamic is what it is and that is what made the story so intriguing. We get the humour from the desire to get a BBL but we get the heart from what has happened in the past and how it can be reconciled in the present.
I read this predominantly as an ebook but also listened to the audiobook which I felt really brought the words, women, humour and culture to life and would highly recommend it as an alternative option for experiencing this book. I also felt that the 2nd person perspective worked better in audio format for me.
It's a relatively short and fast read that touches on so many important topics including body dysmorphia and body image but keeps humour and heart at its centre. The narrative style may not work for everyone and it was a little confusing at times but I enjoyed it and liked what I had to say and the way that it said it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley for an eArc of "Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
This is a humourous and touching family saga of the drama that unfolds when 20 year old Témì announces at her father's funeral that she is going to move to Lagos to get her 'bumbum' enhanced. What follows is an unfolding of family secrets and lies and the realisation that Témì might be the sanest member of her family.
I was intrigued by the premise of this story, given the pressure on women to look a certain way predominantly due to the pressure of social media and influencers and I wanted to read about this from the perspective of a country and culture different to my own (this book is set in Nigeria).
I really enjoyed being put into the middle of this chaotic situation. The narrative style really gave a sense of what it is to be a part of a large and intertwined family and from everything that I've got to know about Nigerian culture from friends and colleagues, it really captured that aspect of community that is so hugely important. The use of Nigerian Language and dialect interspersed with English was also a great way to add to this too.
There are a number of POVs in this story which can get confusing, but it means that it reads like what I expect it would be like being in the middle of that situation - multiple voices all shouting to be able to give their perspective and view on the situation, that concern about what others will think and how to uphold family honour.
In amongst these voices commenting on Témì's decision we also get backstory to the other women in her family and get to understand why the family dynamic is what it is and that is what made the story so intriguing. We get the humour from the desire to get a BBL but we get the heart from what has happened in the past and how it can be reconciled in the present.
I read this predominantly as an ebook but also listened to the audiobook which I felt really brought the words, women, humour and culture to life and would highly recommend it as an alternative option for experiencing this book. I also felt that the 2nd person perspective worked better in audio format for me.
It's a relatively short and fast read that touches on so many important topics including body dysmorphia and body image but keeps humour and heart at its centre. The narrative style may not work for everyone and it was a little confusing at times but I enjoyed it and liked what I had to say and the way that it said it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley for an eArc of "Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
informative
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:
No
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes