Reviews

This is about a family in Trinidad. No exact date is mentioned but it seems like it could be semi modern times. We see how this family slowly disintegrates. Hosein tackles race and class. The language is both beautiful and visceral at the same time. There is much that is grime and that is gross in the imagery. He has a definite poetic touch though as well. The plot pulses just as things slow down so there is a trajectory to the story. What I had issues with were two things. Firstly, there seemed to be repetitive uses of descriptions like everyone seemed to have scar at one point, and it seemed to take away from its intended purpose, and over-use of dogs in the tale. They were everywhere, and that might have been on purpose as a metaphor, but it seemed too much. And then near the last third of the novel, the character's arcs started to crowd into the novel and he was doing too much at once. Aside from that it was a good book that had much punch to it. I give this one a 4/5.

patrickff's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ophyjxr's review

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3.75

Incredible lush and the best environment written I have seen for a rly long time. Yet the story is lacking, and would love to hear more of changoor’s story etc.

bibi003's review against another edition

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5.0

This audiobook had me totally enthralled by the first chapter and weeping at the last. I loved the narrator's gravelly voice and inflection. Hosein's prose is mesmerizing. The atmosphere he creates is tense and moody, and his characters are absolutely devastating. I care deeply about all of them, even the baddest baddies. To say I am crushed is an understatement. This was a beautiful, heartbreaking experience of a novel.

breadandmushrooms's review against another edition

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dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

yali_g's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

2.75

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