Reviews

What everyone universally wants is to have the best for their kids. Better than what they had. This is what sets Ruth to leave Trinidad and come to end up in a housing complex in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, Canada, with her two children Michael and Francis. But…does she find a better life than what she would have had had she not left?

Through various flashbacks which are told in parallel with the main story, the reader is shown what their life is like when confronted with systemic barriers. Discussion of masculinity, brotherhood, family, race, and coming of age, all intersect into a beautifully woven account of the many lives in this suburb and with those who wish to leave it and escape.

Brother is not a gratuitous, graphic account of a shooting of a black man. Chariandy instead tells the true story of who lives here, delves into their hopes and dreams, and recounts what it means to love.

analyticalchaos's review against another edition

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5.0

The prose of this book is simple and melodic. Chariandy is concise without being choppy.

I couldn't put this book down and read it all in one sitting. It's heartfelt and realistic. Chariandy manages to illustrate complex family relationships in a nuanced, engaging way. He deftly weaves in themes of immigration, police brutality, and poverty to enhance our understanding of Michael's way of life.

I highly recommend this book. It achieves depths that many novels struggle to convey.

matthewrob's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

jupitersrising's review against another edition

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5.0

What a tender little book, I loved every minute of it. So accurately depicting Toronto and the places that some hold within it. I felt myself resonating with the characters experiences. Exploring race, sexuality, identity, in such a beautiful way. I am pleased and proud of this Canadian read.

souplover2001's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

annabelralph's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

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