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thedeepmagic's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Certainly you'll have to remember that this book was written in the early twentieth century, with all its prejudices and racial attitudes intact . . . But that these same things come from a uniquely Black perspective, which is worth getting into. Lafala is the main character but every character you encounter is full of rich complexity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Violence, Ableism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism and Suicidal thoughts
lindseyhall44's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I picked Romance in Marseille up on a whim, and I am extremely grateful that I did. This novel was so intriguing, both in its flowery writing and dark content. As a classic, it was evidently ahead of it’s time, as it follows black, queer and physically disabled characters during the historical era of ensalvement, while candidly discussing sexuality and prostitution, and other taboo topics of the time. I loved seeing this representation in classic literature, and urge everyone to pick up Romance in Marseille.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Torture, Racism, Violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Murder, and Death
atamano's review
dark
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content
yozhik's review
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
2.75
It was alright. Maybe I'm not big-brained enough to understand the subtleties and nuance of the book but I felt it was an incredibly bland writing style. Book was advertised to be "overtly queer" two side characters were mentioned to be gay. So what. Author despised xenophobia but writes xenophobic passages against Arabs and Jews for funsies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Antisemitism and Torture
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