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theshanana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
tarrowood's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this one more than I did. There were so many diverse elements that I feel like parts of the concepts clashed violently against each other. The story felt simple at first, but then there were depths that I wanted more of as the end was catapulted towards me.
inkdrinkerjen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
chesterrat's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
rballenger's review against another edition
3.0
Type of read: Commuter (listened to on the way to and from work).
What made me pick it up: Suggested read in my library audiobook app.
Overall rating: I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up. I borrowed it from my library based on the recommendation after some of my previous reads and I really liked the cover art. I liked the poetic nature of the book. I also enjoyed hearing the story from the various perspectives. Overall, this was a good read and honestly, one I would probably read again. I feel like you'd find something new each time you open the pages.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and found the narration for Leonie to be extremely low and soft. It was a soothing, calm voice - which fit the character - but going from Jojo's narration to Leonie's, I found myself always playing with the volume knob. It might just be my ears...but it was enough to be the smallest bit annoying. If I read it again, I'd read the printed book to see if I got more out of it.
What made me pick it up: Suggested read in my library audiobook app.
Overall rating: I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up. I borrowed it from my library based on the recommendation after some of my previous reads and I really liked the cover art. I liked the poetic nature of the book. I also enjoyed hearing the story from the various perspectives. Overall, this was a good read and honestly, one I would probably read again. I feel like you'd find something new each time you open the pages.
Reader's note (personal preference): I read this book via audiobook and found the narration for Leonie to be extremely low and soft. It was a soothing, calm voice - which fit the character - but going from Jojo's narration to Leonie's, I found myself always playing with the volume knob. It might just be my ears...but it was enough to be the smallest bit annoying. If I read it again, I'd read the printed book to see if I got more out of it.
howtobebooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is no doubt a modern day version of reading a Toni Morrison novel. From the magical realism aspect to social issues affecting African Americans, this novel is both haunting and almost poetic.
The story follows a family on their way to a prison, in which the children's white father is due to be released. The teenage boy and his three year old sister are mostly dependent on one another as well as their grandparents Pop and Mam. The mother Leonie is absent, and rather aloof in their upbringing, forcing her son, Jojo to bring up his kid sister. In between are disturbing stories featured in flashbacks and ghostly apparitions, The novel explores interracial relationships, police brutality and even post traumatic stress disorder to a degree.
While it can seem haphazard, going back and forth in time, and random narratives appearing throughout, it leaves the reader with a sense of unease and despair at the violent nature of society. A truly intriguing read.
The story follows a family on their way to a prison, in which the children's white father is due to be released. The teenage boy and his three year old sister are mostly dependent on one another as well as their grandparents Pop and Mam. The mother Leonie is absent, and rather aloof in their upbringing, forcing her son, Jojo to bring up his kid sister. In between are disturbing stories featured in flashbacks and ghostly apparitions, The novel explores interracial relationships, police brutality and even post traumatic stress disorder to a degree.
While it can seem haphazard, going back and forth in time, and random narratives appearing throughout, it leaves the reader with a sense of unease and despair at the violent nature of society. A truly intriguing read.
artbreakerbookclub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ardoby's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction