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ruby4sure's review against another edition
4.0
On the fence between a 3 and a 4 - first 2/3rds were absolutely phenomenal, loved the voices of the characters and Zadie Smiths ability to show so much about them without telling (the same thing I loved about White Teeth). Although I am usually more of a good story > good characters person when it comes to books I love, the simple tales of Leah and Shar, and Natalie's legal journey were enough to engage me and show me through her imagination of NW London (which is one of the main characters in itself - side note, also loved this about where the crawdads sing, when the setting is as live and integral to the book as the characters themselves).
The reason I'm so on the fence was the final 3rd (from the numbered list onwards). I feel like Nathan's character was just not as multilayered and interesting to read as Natalie and Leah's and these sections felt more of an afterthought/bleak caveat to show the more gnarly realities of addiction and knife crime in the city (which I felt were already explored throughout the earlier sections). Found it so much of a slog to read the final 1/200 pages it nearly lowered the review that much but upon reflection here definitely worth a 4 stars (and 5 if you were to quit whilst you're ahead!)
The reason I'm so on the fence was the final 3rd (from the numbered list onwards). I feel like Nathan's character was just not as multilayered and interesting to read as Natalie and Leah's and these sections felt more of an afterthought/bleak caveat to show the more gnarly realities of addiction and knife crime in the city (which I felt were already explored throughout the earlier sections). Found it so much of a slog to read the final 1/200 pages it nearly lowered the review that much but upon reflection here definitely worth a 4 stars (and 5 if you were to quit whilst you're ahead!)
kate_cunningham's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5
aliblue's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ktscarf's review against another edition
3.75
I struggled with the writing style of the first chapter, but am glad I persevered as it was enjoyable and quite gripping as it went on.
bookedupkid's review against another edition
2.5
Writing style unique. Written in 3rd person. Didn’t love it! It’s like continuous rambling in a sort of poetic way. My brain just couldn’t compute.
Wasn’t for me.