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unlyke_li's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Child abuse
vakuck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
capa152's review
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
4.5
ladydzra's review
I could not finish this book. I am purposefully not including a "star" review, because (a) I did not finish it, and (b) stars don't reflect nuance. I think this book addresses an important, overlooked area of British imperialism (give Ndugu M’Hali a Google), but it's just not the book for me.
The dual-timeline story is told from the points of view of Dikembe, a Congolese boy who is sold as a "companion" to a British explorer in the early 1900s, and Lowra, a modern British woman who is navigating her past familial traumas when her family home is put up for sale. The two stories begin to converge as Lowra researches Dikembe's fate after she discovers connections to him through said family home.
Dikembe's story is touching and heartbreaking. Lowra's could have been subtitled "woman learns about racism". Maybe I'm just not currently in the right headspace to appreciate Lowra's story, but I gave up when her research companion, an expert in African history, needed to explain to her the daily microaggressions he faces as a Black man. I understand the value of characters who explore and try to understand their privilege, but Lowra is, at the point I am giving up on this book, a little more willfully ignorant than I can handle.
This is not a lighthearted read: colonialism, racism, violence against children, family death, mental trauma, PTSD, and more abound.
The dual-timeline story is told from the points of view of Dikembe, a Congolese boy who is sold as a "companion" to a British explorer in the early 1900s, and Lowra, a modern British woman who is navigating her past familial traumas when her family home is put up for sale. The two stories begin to converge as Lowra researches Dikembe's fate after she discovers connections to him through said family home.
Dikembe's story is touching and heartbreaking. Lowra's could have been subtitled "woman learns about racism". Maybe I'm just not currently in the right headspace to appreciate Lowra's story, but I gave up when her research companion, an expert in African history, needed to explain to her the daily microaggressions he faces as a Black man. I understand the value of characters who explore and try to understand their privilege, but Lowra is, at the point I am giving up on this book, a little more willfully ignorant than I can handle.
This is not a lighthearted read: colonialism, racism, violence against children, family death, mental trauma, PTSD, and more abound.
kiebray's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
booknorikop's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nearidsm's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
shakira19's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
meghb's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
klawdabbe's review
5.0
One of the best books that I've ever read. It evokes a range of feelings in your heart page by page. The seamless transition between both points of view makes the story even better, with Celestines story being worthy of a book of its own entirely. 110% recommend and one of the best books you will read this year.