Reviews

Tremor by Teju Cole

sagabrodersen's review against another edition

challenging dark informative medium-paced

2.75

okay so an important thing to know before reading this book is that he unexpectedly shifts the narrative !a lot!, and without warning or reason. it gets highly confusing if you are not prepared for this. the protagonist is a man called tunde, and the first 5 chapters you get really invested in his storyline and storytelling (with only a quick shift of perspective in chapter 2 or so if i remember correctly). but then chapter 6 arrives - and you are thrown into a whole other story with another protagonist. it also changes perspectives multiple times after that in very short intervals. (Smart choice of title though lol). Cole could have skipped chapter six completely and i would have rated the book 4/5 stars, but this really threw me off. In chapter six he also has a storyline with someone “engaging in sex work” and this really threw me off as well. 

moving forward and focusing on the greater parts though - Cole’s language is incredibly beautiful, almost meditative, as he walks the reader through the history of art, music, and societal dynamics and issues. using artifacts from history’s past, he thoroughly examines racial injustices and colonialism, whilst also exploring the simplicity and complexity of life. there is a quote that reads “Life is hopeless but it is not serious. We have to have danced while we could and, later, to have danced again in the telling.” and i think it really captures the essence of the meaning of life. 

marinampetrillo's review against another edition

2.0

Had no idea what was going on at any point of the book. Quite literally chose the book by its cover tho.

amyjo25's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective 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

3.5

modub's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

christacarter's review against another edition

Long-winded, boring, too poetic

teatality's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

zoemitchell's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

tadasborne's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

breadandmushrooms'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

3.25

ukponge's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault