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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Alcohol
This is a harrowing, compulsive read. For the second year in a row at our Book Fair, I've encouraged people to read it -- not one has come back and said they didn't love it. The relationships between Keriwen, Simon and Joe are sometimes difficult to get your head around, but stick with it. When you're done, you'll re-read and recommend this book to everyone.
I'm not going to finish reading this book. It's just too upsetting to read about the physical abuse that the little boy is subjected to. The setting is amazing - I would like to live in the tower on the beach, and I want to find out more about Kerewin, but what's happening to Simon is more than I can handle, even though it's fiction.
Ugh. Amazing. So heartbreakingly complicated and beautiful and fucking good. It took me months to get through this story; it's so incredibly hard. But I loved it. Loved it five stars worth.
This books contains really explicit and physical child abuse! I did not catch that trigger beforehand and want others to know. Also there is a glossary of the te reo (Maori) words in the back. In spite of it having one of my least favorite subjects, this was a beautifully wrought character profile of 3 troubled people as their lives intersect, their traumas come to a head, and they ultimately find healing and even absolution. And the storytelling was very exciting, with inner monologues brought forward in the unique voices, even when very little is happening action-wise, it's very compelling reading as each character goes through true to life feelings, thoughts, opinions, motivations and fears. Also, although it wouldn't describe it as such, it has ace representation! Really loved the inflection of Maori folklore as a part of this book's reality.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
This is my favorite book I have ever read. I feel like it pulled my heart from my chest, disassembled it, then put it mostly back together before putting it back where it belonged. But it did keep one piece.
"A grown man down on his knees beneath the cool moon, crying out the pain in his heart and the guilt in his hands, with no one to hear him anymore."
Speedy summary: Kerewin finds a young boy has broken into her home. He and his father then immerse themselves into her life and she sees their relationship, tender and loving while simultaneously violent and brutal.
Thoughts: This book is about how complicated and broken life can be. Not at all a light holiday read! My level of engagement fluctuated wildly throughout the novel and I can't really tell you if I liked this book or not, I'm not sure...it was heavy and emotionally dark. The style of writing took some getting used to, but allowed you into each individual's thoughts. Do not expect a plot driven novel here!
WARNING: Physical abuse and violence, suicidal thoughts, drunkenness, sex is acknowledged
Check out @realreaderreallife on instagram
Speedy summary: Kerewin finds a young boy has broken into her home. He and his father then immerse themselves into her life and she sees their relationship, tender and loving while simultaneously violent and brutal.
Thoughts: This book is about how complicated and broken life can be. Not at all a light holiday read! My level of engagement fluctuated wildly throughout the novel and I can't really tell you if I liked this book or not, I'm not sure...it was heavy and emotionally dark. The style of writing took some getting used to, but allowed you into each individual's thoughts. Do not expect a plot driven novel here!
WARNING: Physical abuse and violence, suicidal thoughts, drunkenness, sex is acknowledged
Check out @realreaderreallife on instagram
This is one of my all time favorite books. a harsh story in some regards but so beautifully written in such a unique cadence. Highly recommend it.
To write something about the book based on the people only, I have no words. Understanding the spirituality and symbolism, still, I have no words. There is much to think about, I will think for some time.