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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While this novel is well-written, there was so much strife in the main character's family in Kolkata that I found the book more stressful than enjoyable. I did like the inclusion of elements of Indian culture throughout.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Excellent debut novel. I loved the plot and characters and felt like there was a good balance of movement forward ans reflection for the first 80% of the book—the pacing in the climax felt a bit odd, which keeps from giving this book a perfect score, but I liked it very much and recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a little slow for me, but I thought this was an honest and unflinching look at the complexities of family, grief, intergenerational trauma, and belonging. Lila went on a SUPER messy journey during her time in Kolkata, which was painful at times (and honestly I’m not sure if the messy sections about her love life were truly necessary? I guess in an intergenerational trauma kind of way, but honestly we had enough of that with her relationship to her mother.) I appreciated how the author gave us new perspectives on the family dynamics throughout the book so that we could blur the lines between victim and perpetrator and understand why people behaved a certain way. I did think the central mystery of whether or not her grandfather truly left the house to her wrapped up in the weirdest way…because why wouldn’t they have talked to the actual lawyers who handled the will immediately? I also wish we got better answers re: why the grandfather left it to her but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. overall, this was a meaty book that I would recommend to anyone who likes complex, messy family dynamics.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very good book about dealing with family issues
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia
adventurous
emotional
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
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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