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kboykin's review
My sister recommended this book and she never disappoints. I work with kids who experience trauma and this book shows you how it manifests through generations. I often had trouble remembering people but with the help of the family tree in the front of the book, I made it through. lol. Wonderful read.
chloejen's review
5.0
somehow, SOMEHOW, the fact that i read this for school did not change my enjoyment AT ALL and holy crap am i glad for that.
somehow this book:
takes place over 250 years
- has a whole bunch of main characters and relationships to keep track of over two continents
- reoccurring symbolism
- themes that go anywhere from systemic racism, sexual assault, toxic masculinity and everything in between with NOTHING feeling forced.
- displays a wide variety of family dynamics and cultures
and STILL manages to be cohesive and enjoyable while also managing to make you reflect back on your like and the history of colonization and the slave trade like you never had before.
somehow this book:
takes place over 250 years
- has a whole bunch of main characters and relationships to keep track of over two continents
- reoccurring symbolism
- themes that go anywhere from systemic racism, sexual assault, toxic masculinity and everything in between with NOTHING feeling forced.
- displays a wide variety of family dynamics and cultures
and STILL manages to be cohesive and enjoyable while also managing to make you reflect back on your like and the history of colonization and the slave trade like you never had before.
meganreads33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
itzsabino's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
anjalisudarsan's review
5.0
I couldn’t put this book down! What a story, tracing 300 years of 2 sisters’ descendants and the struggles and lives they go through.
Thinking about the impact of slavery and how colonial powers wrecked nations made me quite angry, because it’s not just one generation they made suffer. Even years later, even today, we’re seeing racist elements in society and post-colonial trauma. I think reading this just makes me mad at those greedy colonizers who came to Asia and Africa, and mad that we romanticize those “devils” (as aptly mentioned in this story)
But this story is also about hope, that somehow things do get better. I really loved this book
Thinking about the impact of slavery and how colonial powers wrecked nations made me quite angry, because it’s not just one generation they made suffer. Even years later, even today, we’re seeing racist elements in society and post-colonial trauma. I think reading this just makes me mad at those greedy colonizers who came to Asia and Africa, and mad that we romanticize those “devils” (as aptly mentioned in this story)
But this story is also about hope, that somehow things do get better. I really loved this book
mcoliffee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
merle24's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? No
5.0
vexyspice's review
5.0
I loved it. I loved every part of it. I loved how the characters/ chapters flowed seamlessly into each other
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
5.0
I liked the way the book was told from different Points of View. You will need a family tree to reference during this book, trust me on this.