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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
This story takes place in Trinidad. The protagonist’s story unfolds in chapters, that alternate between the present and the past. In the present Alethea is with a man that physically abuses her. Those around her, wonder why she stays. When we learn her past, we can understand. This book was a really good read.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Written in colloquial Trinidadian Creole, this book follows 40-year old Alethea. As we get to know her, there are things that come to light in her past and we see that violence has always been a part of her life, shaping her as an adult woman. She’s a strong character with a distinct voice. Despite the dark subject matter, the book doesn’t feel depressing or weighed down. While it definitely does not shy away from the some of the horrific and traumatizing things that happened, it highlights Alethea as an individual and the support system she has around her in the present. It does take a little bit to get into the groove of the writing style, but I would not let that discourage you from picking this book up
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very brutal and emotional but wonderful story.
It is written in Trinidadian Creole which at first took me a second to get used to but as soon as I got past that, it really enhanced my whole experience of the book. The vernacular language combined with the first person narrative allow to better convey Alethea’s feelings and thoughts and helps to be fully immersed in her world and in her state of mind. Her life has been rough from the very beginning and it doesn’t seem to be any better in the present despite her better standing in society, good job and fairer skin. Her partner is abusive and she’s having a very uneven relationship with her boss considering their affair. Throughout the book, we explore Alethea’s choices and how her childhood has led her to be the person who she has become today.
I particularly liked her relationship with her brother Colin. It was interesting to see how it had changed over time and how Colin had a whole new perspective on what had occurred during their childhood as well as how it shaped Alethea and how it informs her motivations, aspirations and choices up to this day.
Despite it being shockingly horrifying due to the terrible events occurring throughout the book, it is nonetheless a reality that is not often spoken about and bringing it to light is even more important as it is real. Especially when such hard topics are treated with such humanity and rawness, it is good to show that there is always another way, people who will be there for you and that there’s always hope. I think this book has managed to bring forward difficult but necessary discussions such as abuse, rape, trauma, etc (read trigger warnings), while not indulging in voyeuristic behaviours through unnecessary details, putting on page only what was needed for the reader’s understanding of the character’s situation and emotions.
Overall, it is a beautifully written story and I totally understand why it made the Women’s Prize for Fiction Shortlist in 2022. It has authenticity, raw emotions and hope.
It is written in Trinidadian Creole which at first took me a second to get used to but as soon as I got past that, it really enhanced my whole experience of the book. The vernacular language combined with the first person narrative allow to better convey Alethea’s feelings and thoughts and helps to be fully immersed in her world and in her state of mind. Her life has been rough from the very beginning and it doesn’t seem to be any better in the present despite her better standing in society, good job and fairer skin. Her partner is abusive and she’s having a very uneven relationship with her boss considering their affair. Throughout the book, we explore Alethea’s choices and how her childhood has led her to be the person who she has become today.
I particularly liked her relationship with her brother Colin. It was interesting to see how it had changed over time and how Colin had a whole new perspective on what had occurred during their childhood as well as how it shaped Alethea and how it informs her motivations, aspirations and choices up to this day.
Despite it being shockingly horrifying due to the terrible events occurring throughout the book, it is nonetheless a reality that is not often spoken about and bringing it to light is even more important as it is real. Especially when such hard topics are treated with such humanity and rawness, it is good to show that there is always another way, people who will be there for you and that there’s always hope. I think this book has managed to bring forward difficult but necessary discussions such as abuse, rape, trauma, etc (read trigger warnings), while not indulging in voyeuristic behaviours through unnecessary details, putting on page only what was needed for the reader’s understanding of the character’s situation and emotions.
Overall, it is a beautifully written story and I totally understand why it made the Women’s Prize for Fiction Shortlist in 2022. It has authenticity, raw emotions and hope.
The Bread the Devil Knead brings us the authentic Trinidadian voice of Alethea (Allie) as she approaches her 40th birthday. Living in Trinidad and Tobago, and working as a clothing shop manager, Allie has had a tough and unforgiving life, but she doesn't let it show - especially not the bruises. The worst of her current life is encapsulated in the abusive relationship with her partner, Leo - a vile, jealous man who takes out his life's failings on Allie. Although, this present-day story is interspersed with the history of abuse Allie endured from her earliest years onwards and it becomes more evident that she is trapped in a lifelong cycle.
Allie was rendered infertile due to past circumstances, but acknowledges there's a family legacy that she wouldn't want to pass on even if she could. And her resulting experience on the edge of Trinidadian society as an unmarried, childless woman on the cusp of 40 can be painful to witness. Allie doesn't believe she deserves any better than her present life, but she is a beautiful and fascinating woman who should have so much more. Fortunately, two figures from Allie's past re-emerge and give her the chance to realise that her life could take a different path, and these unforeseen opportunities finally allow her to escape her situation.
Whatever the differences of individual situations, Lisa has written a book that speaks to those who have experienced abuse - she outlines the way life can slip into places it shouldn't go and how powerless you can feel to stop it. But Alethea is a non-mother survivor who has picked herself up and walked away from terrible circumstances before, and she will do so again this time.
Allie was rendered infertile due to past circumstances, but acknowledges there's a family legacy that she wouldn't want to pass on even if she could. And her resulting experience on the edge of Trinidadian society as an unmarried, childless woman on the cusp of 40 can be painful to witness. Allie doesn't believe she deserves any better than her present life, but she is a beautiful and fascinating woman who should have so much more. Fortunately, two figures from Allie's past re-emerge and give her the chance to realise that her life could take a different path, and these unforeseen opportunities finally allow her to escape her situation.
Whatever the differences of individual situations, Lisa has written a book that speaks to those who have experienced abuse - she outlines the way life can slip into places it shouldn't go and how powerless you can feel to stop it. But Alethea is a non-mother survivor who has picked herself up and walked away from terrible circumstances before, and she will do so again this time.
fiction set in Trinidad about a woman’s life of loss, abuse and resistance. The book is written largely phonetically, so I used the audiobook alongside it, which really helped to bring the text to life. I enjoyed the text - it gripped me and I read it very quickly. It was also a good insight into life in Trinidad, particularly for women. Overall, I would recommend the text, but readers should be prepared for some distressing scenes.
MAJOR trigger warnings for this book: violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and child abuse.
The Bread the Devil Knead follows the story of Alethea, a fashion store manager who's about to turn 40. One day, while at work, she witnessed a violence that hit a little too close to home—which prompted every childhood memory she suppressed to unravel, making her realize how similar her past and present are. From there, she started having a dilemma of either letting the violent cycle she went through during her childhood continue or preventing the worse from happening now that she's suffering at the hands of her common-law husband, Leo.
This book is a very powerful and moving story that would send your mind reeling and have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. Despite how short this book is, Allen-Agostini still narrated and portrayed every character and aspect of her story without missing any detail . However, the only issue—which is mainly on my part as a reader—I encountered is the writing style since it's written in Trinidadian Creole because this was my first time reading a book in this style. And this detail is also a factor in why I gave this book a 5-star rating because the writing style alone can already explain the protagonist's cultural and racial roots and the overall setting of the book.
But study this: if he love you, why he must beat you? Is not like you is some two-and-six baby. Who give he the right to beat you? And I bet he does blame you for it.
The Bread the Devil Knead follows the story of Alethea, a fashion store manager who's about to turn 40. One day, while at work, she witnessed a violence that hit a little too close to home—which prompted every childhood memory she suppressed to unravel, making her realize how similar her past and present are. From there, she started having a dilemma of either letting the violent cycle she went through during her childhood continue or preventing the worse from happening now that she's suffering at the hands of her common-law husband, Leo.
This book is a very powerful and moving story that would send your mind reeling and have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. Despite how short this book is, Allen-Agostini still narrated and portrayed every character and aspect of her story without missing any detail . However, the only issue—which is mainly on my part as a reader—I encountered is the writing style since it's written in Trinidadian Creole because this was my first time reading a book in this style. And this detail is also a factor in why I gave this book a 5-star rating because the writing style alone can already explain the protagonist's cultural and racial roots and the overall setting of the book.