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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
this is my first literary/race themed book of the year & im thoroughly pleased to say the least
based off of the murder of latasha harlins in the early 90s, this book details a fictional story of racially motivated crime and how to come to terms with the repercussions of ones actions. i noticed throughout the book that the racist rhetoric on grace’s part is changed through her use of “yeah xyz is true BUT…” statements — statements that once held racist undertones lightened throughout the book as grace uncovered the whole story.
i took away half of a star because the stories didnt converge until later in the book than i was expecting, but i wouldnt consider that to be a critique on the story itself
i hadnt read a book quite like this one before & im very interested in reading similar novels in the future !
(my copy had 299 pages)
based off of the murder of latasha harlins in the early 90s, this book details a fictional story of racially motivated crime and how to come to terms with the repercussions of ones actions. i noticed throughout the book that the racist rhetoric on grace’s part is changed through her use of “yeah xyz is true BUT…” statements — statements that once held racist undertones lightened throughout the book as grace uncovered the whole story.
i took away half of a star because the stories didnt converge until later in the book than i was expecting, but i wouldnt consider that to be a critique on the story itself
i hadnt read a book quite like this one before & im very interested in reading similar novels in the future !
(my copy had 299 pages)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Generally a pretty solid read. Following two families - one Korean-American, one African-American, this book engages with some of the difficulties and dangers of LA in the early 90s (during the Rodney King riots) and today (when young black men get shot by police officers for trying to enter the back door of their houses). Both perspectives are nuanced and well-done. Some might find the ending a little too open-ended, but the subject matter doesn't exactly lead to any easy solutions.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
This was my final book of 2020, and within just a few chapters I knew it would be one of my favourites.
Set in LA it focuses on two families, one Korean-American and one Black, with very different experiences of a decades old crime during the race riots, and whose worlds collide again in the modern day following another event. I don't want to give away too much because, for me, going in without knowing much is what made it so powerful, but it's compelling and tense and incredible.
I LOVED how Cha structured this book with the chapters from both Shawn and Grace's perspectives and the flashbacks to the early 1990s. She builds the tension and the characters and draws you into the families so convincingly for how the story develops. It becomes a powerfully moving (and at times frustrating) exploration of cultural narratives, retribution and how these can twist and reinforce our understanding of events to justify beliefs and actions. I honestly cannot speak highly enough of it!
Set in LA it focuses on two families, one Korean-American and one Black, with very different experiences of a decades old crime during the race riots, and whose worlds collide again in the modern day following another event. I don't want to give away too much because, for me, going in without knowing much is what made it so powerful, but it's compelling and tense and incredible.
I LOVED how Cha structured this book with the chapters from both Shawn and Grace's perspectives and the flashbacks to the early 1990s. She builds the tension and the characters and draws you into the families so convincingly for how the story develops. It becomes a powerfully moving (and at times frustrating) exploration of cultural narratives, retribution and how these can twist and reinforce our understanding of events to justify beliefs and actions. I honestly cannot speak highly enough of it!
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is just that good. It’s a well crafted story based on real events that tackles really serious issues in a very thought provoking way. I was riveted the entire time and felt so much compassion for all of the characters. Steph Cha did something really special with this one.