Reviews

An Impossible Return by Caroline Laurent

paulamreid's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

fxp's review

4.0

I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was well-written in a powerful language, yet easy to read. I learned about the story of the "desettlement" of the Chagos Islands and the ongoing battle for justice.

randombookswithmj's review

4.0

 Set between Diego Garcia and Mauritius this book begins when the British purchased Diego Garcia. It follows the lives of displaced Chagossians sent to live on Mauritius from their days on Diego Garcia to their life in Mauritius, and then to recent times at the International Criminal Court. 

Though considered an epic love story, for me it was an example of historical fiction where I actually learned something. I knew pretty much zero about Mauritius and even less about Diego Garcia. The book had me interested in learning more about the history and another example of wrongs committed by the British Empire (not that they are the only empire to have committed such crimes). 

Would I recommend this novel, yes, if you enjoy learning about the world and modern history this is a book for you. For me personally, the love story was secondary. 

isr's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

morgan_grice's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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? No

5.0

soupy_twist's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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? No

4.0

mamalemma's review against another edition

4.0

What if I told you that in the early 1970s, as part of the deconstruction of British Colonialism, the island of Mauritius sold away several islands to the British as payment for their independence, creating the “British Indian Ocean Territory.” Then, the British handed those islands over to the US for military bases. Well, okay, I guess. What if I then told you that there were people living on those islands, who were first starved when the British and Mauritius governments refused to send ships, and then when they did, and people went in search of food to bring home, they were not allowed to return? And what then, if I told you that those remaining were eventually packed up at gunpoint and shipped off the island in the stifling belly of a boat where they were given little food and water and then dropped off with no resources to live in wretched slums on the island of Mauritius? And that, despite legal battles that began in 1975, THE ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED TODAY. In fact, there are articles dated as recently as two days ago (12/16/2022), talking about the issue? I’m certain you would be as shocked and horrified as I am. This is that story. The people in the story are fictionalized, but the events are not, and the story is a compelling one. The book, which is a translation, is a little slow to get started, with many characters and storylines, but I highly recommend sticking with it, because it is an incredibly important read.

b00kw0rm113's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

4.0

it was really sad but more so during Part II when they were forced to leave the island and suzanne was dying. towards the end, when gabriel died, it was all so sudden that it wasnt as impactful. plus, because the freedom struggle josephin went through was barely mentioned, when the chagos archipelago got independence, it also wasnt that impactful. but really, these people struggled so much. like, its one of those books where you want to pretend everything is fictional but you know its not. its all real. even if the book is fiction, it probably isnt that far from the truth. and thats scary, because if it can happen to them, why cant it happen to you

sebbie's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

cat_uk's review against another edition

informative reflective