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hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Colonisation, Miscarriage, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and War
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
I'm enjoying Levy's writing and her talent to tell vivid stories as well as her ability to create believable characters. But similar to Small Island I had a bit of a problem with the structure of this book. This time I struggled with the second half of the book, the part that's taking place in Jamaica.
I was very interested in the backstory of Faith's ancestors, nevertheless I would have preferred to learn maybe not that many details about them and not written as extra chapters told as monologues, but through the story itself. The second part of the book is more telling than showing unfortunately. These parts took me out of the reading flow and left in the end not enough room for the actual narrative.
I was very interested in the backstory of Faith's ancestors, nevertheless I would have preferred to learn maybe not that many details about them and not written as extra chapters told as monologues, but through the story itself. The second part of the book is more telling than showing unfortunately. These parts took me out of the reading flow and left in the end not enough room for the actual narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Classism, Colonisation, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Violence and Miscarriage
nneka's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
2treads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Levy has captured her characters with intention and while reading there was a definite air of recognition throughout. It was easy to sink into the story of the Jacksons, which mirrors the experiences of so many families who migrated overseas seeking a better life for who is to come and at times growing apart and keeping secrets of the family they left behind.
Fruit of the Lemon delves into the intricacies of family legacy and history, of racism and prejudice, societal awareness, and institutionalised racial hierarchies. With care, Levy seeks to portray a young woman who after being dealt a "betrayal", sinks into a depressive state and is sent by her parents to 'know where she is from.'
There is humour and Jamaican idioms sprinkled throughout this book which makes it such a comfort read, and yet delves into an aspect of our societal traditions and expectations that exist within our familial structures to this day. I especially loved how Levy dropped that gem about Wade and Mildred at the end that had me cheering. They do pay attention.
In this regard, the way Levy moves Faith through the story, from her jobs and the racialised microaggressions to her unrequited romantic interest, to unfurling a desire to know and understand her family's complex history, we see how Queenie's story pales in comparison. As a commercially attractive book, Queenie ticks all the boxes, and therein lies how it failed its main character.
Fruit of the Lemon delves into the intricacies of family legacy and history, of racism and prejudice, societal awareness, and institutionalised racial hierarchies. With care, Levy seeks to portray a young woman who after being dealt a "betrayal", sinks into a depressive state and is sent by her parents to 'know where she is from.'
There is humour and Jamaican idioms sprinkled throughout this book which makes it such a comfort read, and yet delves into an aspect of our societal traditions and expectations that exist within our familial structures to this day. I especially loved how Levy dropped that gem about Wade and Mildred at the end that had me cheering. They do pay attention.
In this regard, the way Levy moves Faith through the story, from her jobs and the racialised microaggressions to her unrequited romantic interest, to unfurling a desire to know and understand her family's complex history, we see how Queenie's story pales in comparison. As a commercially attractive book, Queenie ticks all the boxes, and therein lies how it failed its main character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
afairyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
An interesting look at the racism, specifically micro-aggressions, in 1970s England. Unfortunately, the book failed to spend time on the main character’s thoughts and emotions. Instead, it was a very distanced narrative with no main plot or resolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
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