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tiny_mimi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Such a great collection of short stories from Maxine Beneba Clarke that took me much longer than it should've (๑•̀д•́๑)!! Very thought provoking and very moving. All stories are set in different times and places and centre themselves around feeling kinda foreign (ba dum tss).
I really enjoyed how diverse the characters and stories were, and it was really cool to see Western Syndey mentioned in one of the stories alongside New Orleans and Jamaica and England etc. I also loved that the book didn't necessarily have to explicitly focus on being a person of colour, but there was very obvious and strong representation - made me feel very at home (idk if that's the way to describe it) even though the storylines kinda broke my heart a little bit.
I really enjoyed how diverse the characters and stories were, and it was really cool to see Western Syndey mentioned in one of the stories alongside New Orleans and Jamaica and England etc. I also loved that the book didn't necessarily have to explicitly focus on being a person of colour, but there was very obvious and strong representation - made me feel very at home (idk if that's the way to describe it) even though the storylines kinda broke my heart a little bit.
Many of the stories give voices to those who are not represented in mainstream media and cover issues that are so entrenched in being an immigrant/person of colour in a world that actively works against you.
I don't have much else to say because so many other people have written reviews that really hit the nail on the head lol. But my favourite stories were: Foreign Soil, Shu Yi, Gaps in the Hickory, The Stilt Fishermen of Kathaluwa, and Aviation.
jakepasseri's review against another edition
4.0
A collection in short stories that varies in quality (most of them being extremely good but a couple of outliers)
tillymellor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ljpapp's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4 stars. Some stories I found myself so immersed in that I forgot they wouldn’t continue beyond the chapter. Some didn’t particularly draw me in. David, Hope, Shu Yi, Gaps in the Hickory, and The Stilt Fishermen of Kathaluwa were the ones I enjoyed the most.
kimswhims's review against another edition
5.0
This is quite possibly the best short-story collection I've ever read.
Each one packs a punch and left me thinking for some time afterwards.
My favourite of her work yet. Such a terrific writer with a great voice.
Each one packs a punch and left me thinking for some time afterwards.
My favourite of her work yet. Such a terrific writer with a great voice.
alonsonm's review against another edition
3.0
A very remarkable collection of short stories. The characters and stories in this book are unique, diverse, representing migrants from different backgrounds.
Maxine Beneda Clark has a strong understanding of language and uses it to create a unique style that captures the different voices of those who are looking for a home away from home.
Some of the stories in this collection are heartbreaking while others are inspiring. The thing all of them have in common is that they address issues that are very relevant to this time: social inequality, justice, racial discrimination...
Maxine Beneda Clark has a strong understanding of language and uses it to create a unique style that captures the different voices of those who are looking for a home away from home.
Some of the stories in this collection are heartbreaking while others are inspiring. The thing all of them have in common is that they address issues that are very relevant to this time: social inequality, justice, racial discrimination...
milliemay's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly loved all of these short stories!! It was a school text so I cannot wait to get into it!!
To be honest I was expecting the short stories to be light hearted and funny but these ones were so deep and emotional and beautiful!! Strangely - I am looking forward to doing this on my end of year exam!
To be honest I was expecting the short stories to be light hearted and funny but these ones were so deep and emotional and beautiful!! Strangely - I am looking forward to doing this on my end of year exam!
caitlin_hamilton2003's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gretasbookclub's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25