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aliciagriggs's review against another edition
2.0
Ah, it pains me to put two stars. It's so nearly three! This book started off strong. I enjoyed it, I told people it was a good book, I envisioned sharing it with others when finished, but as it went on I got more and more bored. I didn't warm to the characters, including the protagonist.
I hoped the Jamaican part would bring it back but instead I continued to be bored and thought the family history was told in a strange way. Who was writing it? Why were these questions asked? It all got boring and confusing. Such a shame.
I hoped the Jamaican part would bring it back but instead I continued to be bored and thought the family history was told in a strange way. Who was writing it? Why were these questions asked? It all got boring and confusing. Such a shame.
mackinseyjoy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
3.75
cedickie's review against another edition
2.0
I truly enjoyed the first part of the book. It was funny and decently written. However, the second half feels rushed and disappointing. The character, who seems so strong in the first half, feels dismissed by the end. Perhaps that was part of the point, but the writing also seemed to fall apart towards the end.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"Faith Jackson fixes herself up with a great job and the perfect flatshare. Neither are that perfect. Furious when her parents retire to Jamaica, she makes her own journey there. Here she is enfolded in her Aunt Coral's endless talk of ancestors, stretching back to Cuba, Panama, Harlem and Scotland." (From Amazon)
Another enjoyable novel by Levy. I will read this any book by Levy.
"Faith Jackson fixes herself up with a great job and the perfect flatshare. Neither are that perfect. Furious when her parents retire to Jamaica, she makes her own journey there. Here she is enfolded in her Aunt Coral's endless talk of ancestors, stretching back to Cuba, Panama, Harlem and Scotland." (From Amazon)
Another enjoyable novel by Levy. I will read this any book by Levy.
sara_malo's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tzwr87's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
nerdybookies's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
2.0
This started off pretty interesting, but when the main character when to Jamaica it all sort of fell apart for me. The stories about the family history were very one dimensional and the way they were presented, made the second half of the book a bit jarring to read.
theladydoor's review against another edition
4.0
I love books like this, written by first-generation children of immigrants, because they tie in so closely with my own experiences. I identified so strongly with Faith Jackson, the main character. She is a young black woman in England trying to find her own identity when confronted on different sides by her Jamaican family, her bohemian friends, and her respectably white boyfriend. She goes to work at the BBC in the costuming department, and there faces daily racial micro-aggressions. With all that is happening in England at the time (the 1970's) including racially motivated crimes, Faith finds herself unable to continue on in her country of birth. Encouraged by her family, she decides to go to Jamaica to meet her extended family, and stay with her Aunt Coral.
Levy could have gone in a cliche route, having Faith immediately identify with her cultural roots, finding her true self. But instead, she maintains Faith's awkwardness and discomfort in Jamaica, indicating that Faith's problems may not have been her surroundings, but something within herself. She has to work at finding self-understanding, and I found that quality very admirable.
I look forward to reading Levy's other work, including The Long Song and Small Island, both of which have received much critical acclaim.
Levy could have gone in a cliche route, having Faith immediately identify with her cultural roots, finding her true self. But instead, she maintains Faith's awkwardness and discomfort in Jamaica, indicating that Faith's problems may not have been her surroundings, but something within herself. She has to work at finding self-understanding, and I found that quality very admirable.
I look forward to reading Levy's other work, including The Long Song and Small Island, both of which have received much critical acclaim.