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katewhite77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
A Very Atmospheric Novel
A novel about what can happen when two families of different class strata become dangerously emeshed.
Set in 1940’s Trinidad at the beginning of colonial rule. The Saroops are dirt poor and live communally in a shed known as a Barrak, with flimsy partitions separating each family.
A lot of the men from the Barrak work for the Changoors, the rich couple who live in a mansion up on the hill.
When Mrs Changoor's husband goes missing, she soon starts to manipulate the situation to her own advantage.
This was an interesting novel to read as it was set in a time and place a knew little about, and I learnt a lot. It explores class religion and power in a new, to me way. To say I enjoyed it would be the wrong word to use, as it is very dark, but I am very glad to have read it.
A novel about what can happen when two families of different class strata become dangerously emeshed.
Set in 1940’s Trinidad at the beginning of colonial rule. The Saroops are dirt poor and live communally in a shed known as a Barrak, with flimsy partitions separating each family.
A lot of the men from the Barrak work for the Changoors, the rich couple who live in a mansion up on the hill.
When Mrs Changoor's husband goes missing, she soon starts to manipulate the situation to her own advantage.
This was an interesting novel to read as it was set in a time and place a knew little about, and I learnt a lot. It explores class religion and power in a new, to me way. To say I enjoyed it would be the wrong word to use, as it is very dark, but I am very glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Grief, Classism, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Cultural appropriation, Religious bigotry, Chronic illness, Death, Pregnancy, and Violence
grubrednuf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was heartachingly beautiful. It took a couple of chapters to get into it but so worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Vomit, Gun violence, Excrement, Violence, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Child death, Alcoholism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
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