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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book is a small slice of life after Adan kills a wealthy white man and his own daughter (though he won't admit to the latter). Lala, his wife and main character, must reckon with this while also understanding that she can no longer lay low or suffer his abuse. Her story is framed by that of the one-armed sister, who went into a tunnel when she wasn't supposed to and came out with one arm. Lala wonders why this tale is cautionary: the one-armed sister can still cook and clean, though it might be more difficult. Her grandmother Wilma retorts, how is she going to sweep her house? Well, this story explains how.
Lala went into her own tunnel and married Adan. Though he does physically harm her, but not to the extent of her losing her arm, she is totally restrained. He steals her money, he silences her, he traumatizes her. She is no longer, metaphorically speaking, a complete woman. Something about her has been lost along the way, and it's all thanks to Adan. And, of course, it's Adan who goes into the tunnels and he, until the end, remains unharmed.
We are also privy to their history: how Lala and Adan grew up, how Adan doesn't know that Lala and his best friend Tone know each other from childhood, how Lala's mother died. The stories weave together to create a scenic yet terrifying backdrop of how they came to be.
I so wished for Adan to be punished. I wanted the police officer to solve the case. I wanted Mira to have her justice. But books like these don't give us a neat ending. Instead, they give us a new beginning.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Misogyny, and Child death
mangopanels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infertility, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Drug abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, Medical trauma, Grief, Classism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Rape, Death, Sexism, Child death, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Infertility
friendlypoet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Child death, Classism, and Violence
kate_can's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
abbie_'s review against another edition
3.25
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I did love the way the story stripped back the layers of Barbados - to white western tourists, the name evokes a tropical paradise, but Jones depicts the everyday lives and cruelties of the folks who live there. If you enjoyed that aspect of Eve Out of Her Ruins (I prefer that one to this), then you might appreciate this one too!
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A tough read that I’m glad I read for its exposé of violence against women in Barbados, but it will leave you exhausted.
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Child death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Racism, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Incest, Violence, and Sexual violence
dianakamau's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Incest, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Infertility, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Confinement
hootreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Child death, Gun violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Torture, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Abandonment, Abortion, Animal cruelty, Blood, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Incest, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Sexual content
boba_n_books's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The way the characters’ stories weaved together seamlessly keeps the reader wanting more.
Some books I find the need to keep a pen nearby because so many phrases strike me as beautiful—this was one of those books. I’d describe much of the prose as poetic. And this flow made me fly through the pages.
The mystery, intrigue, suspicions, and relationships really make this story come to life. You get to know each character deeply through their backstories and similar traumas. Jones brings the past and present together with ease showing the reader how we’re all connected at the end of the day.
I highly recommend this book. But definitely check the content warnings since many heavy topics are explored.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Child death, Grief, Rape, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Minor: Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, and Animal death