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esmem's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Bullying, War, Racism, Police brutality, and Trafficking
qt_neesha's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I would've given it 4.5 if he hadn't died cuz I just couldn't take that. That was just cruel. He was alive he was right there and then he wasn't aaaah. But I guess it does portray a true image of how things go in these horrifying situations...
lorettaandbooks's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lawbooks600's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Representation: Black characters
Score: Six and a half points out of ten.
I saw The Crossing circling my recommendations for a while but when I saw the library has it, I seized the opportunity to get it by picking it up. I checked the ratings and reviews which seemed high so I headed in with equally high expectations. I soon started reading it, but when I finished it, I enjoyed it but The Crossing is not without flaws.
It starts with the first two characters I see, Nat and Sammy, living their separate lives, with the former living miserably in England after losing her mother to cancer and her brother to right-wing extremism, and the latter living a worse life in Eritrea. According to the blurb, Nat's only refuge is swimming, so that explains why she likes that so much. Sammy alongside his friend, Tesfay, long to go to Europe to escape the atrocious place they live in all while I see Nat's life go on a downward spiral with the housing crisis in full effect.
Here's where The Crossing shines: it is one of the few pieces of literature that gets poetry right. Most authors try to do poetry but all they do is press the Enter key many times and call it 'poetry.' Fortunately, The Crossing doesn't do that as it utilised ingenious literary devices to keep me reading, especially the transitions between the lives of Sammy and Nat. However, I don't get why a non-Black person had to write about a Black person. They're both minorities but they're so different from each other it doesn't feel authentic. At least there's no white saviourism. Sammy starts his journey to Europe by first going to Sudan, then the Sahara Desert and finally the Mediterranean Sea.
That last place I mentioned is the most difficult section thus far for Sammy and Tesfay; unfortunately, the latter died as he was lost to the sea, much to the former's dismay. Nat gathers the courage to attempt to swim the English Channel which is a feat in and of itself but when she does that, she sees Sammy and feels like she knows him. Meanwhile, Sammy sadly succumbs to the water on the final leg of the expedition to Europe, finishing The Crossing on a bittersweet note. There's a side plot point about Nat's brother committing a hate crime and getting imprisoned but that wasn't necessary.
Score: Six and a half points out of ten.
I saw The Crossing circling my recommendations for a while but when I saw the library has it, I seized the opportunity to get it by picking it up. I checked the ratings and reviews which seemed high so I headed in with equally high expectations. I soon started reading it, but when I finished it, I enjoyed it but The Crossing is not without flaws.
It starts with the first two characters I see, Nat and Sammy, living their separate lives, with the former living miserably in England after losing her mother to cancer and her brother to right-wing extremism, and the latter living a worse life in Eritrea. According to the blurb, Nat's only refuge is swimming, so that explains why she likes that so much. Sammy alongside his friend, Tesfay, long to go to Europe to escape the atrocious place they live in all while I see Nat's life go on a downward spiral with the housing crisis in full effect.
Here's where The Crossing shines: it is one of the few pieces of literature that gets poetry right. Most authors try to do poetry but all they do is press the Enter key many times and call it 'poetry.' Fortunately, The Crossing doesn't do that as it utilised ingenious literary devices to keep me reading, especially the transitions between the lives of Sammy and Nat. However, I don't get why a non-Black person had to write about a Black person. They're both minorities but they're so different from each other it doesn't feel authentic. At least there's no white saviourism. Sammy starts his journey to Europe by first going to Sudan, then the Sahara Desert and finally the Mediterranean Sea.
That last place I mentioned is the most difficult section thus far for Sammy and Tesfay; unfortunately, the latter died as he was lost to the sea, much to the former's dismay. Nat gathers the courage to attempt to swim the English Channel which is a feat in and of itself but when she does that, she sees Sammy and feels like she knows him. Meanwhile, Sammy sadly succumbs to the water on the final leg of the expedition to Europe, finishing The Crossing on a bittersweet note. There's a side plot point about Nat's brother committing a hate crime and getting imprisoned but that wasn't necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Bullying, and Cancer
Full trigger warnings: Death of children in a boating accident and a mother in the past from cancer, refugee experiences, physical assault and injury, hospitalisation, racism, grief and loss depiction, bullyingsomekindofmiriam's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Beautiful, raw, painful and so, so heavy. Not an easy read, but a necessary one.
missbibliography's review
4.0
Sammy - an Eritrean boy, escaping a life of essentially slavery through conscription, choosing the unknown in order to live. Nat - a girl who lost her mom, and as a result, drifted from her brother who’s now hanging out with a far right group and a dad who’s absent. Somehow the path of these two cross.
This book was so heavy. I CRIED and BAWLED for a fat minute after finishing.
“Language can so easily put you on top if you're lucky enough to be the ones giving out the labels.”
This is one example of a punching, shattering quote from the book. You want your illusion of a perfect world shattered, you want to see your privilege? Give this book a read. And then go and do something about it!
This book was so heavy. I CRIED and BAWLED for a fat minute after finishing.
“Language can so easily put you on top if you're lucky enough to be the ones giving out the labels.”
This is one example of a punching, shattering quote from the book. You want your illusion of a perfect world shattered, you want to see your privilege? Give this book a read. And then go and do something about it!
adeslibrary's review
4.0
one of the most heart-wrenching books i've ever read. it is a necessary story written in verse. it is difficult to explain how powerful this one is.
poppyjessica's review
5.0
What an incredibly powerful novel-in-verse from Manjeet Mann - 'The Crossing' is a dual narrative, following Nat in the UK and Sammy on his journey escaping Eritrea for the 'promised land' of Europe. Both teenagers have been broken by their experiences, Nat by the recent death of her mother and her family falling deeper into poverty and Sammy by the corruption and forced military service in his home country of Eritrea.
Fearing forced labour and death, Sammy and his friend Tesfay start the perilous journey across dangerous territory, two seas and the Sahara desert to reach the UK. Their horrific experiences, characterised by extreme violence, racism and loss, are portrayed in parallel to Nat's journey of discovery of the reality of life for refugees in the UK. As her brother falls in with right wing extremists, acting violently on their ideology, Mann shines a light on the broken system and deeply concerning views held by some which render life unliveable by those seeking to escape from war and poverty.
Mann writes skilfully, connecting the narratives and keeping the pace of the characters' journeys rapid. There are several moments which chilled my core - this woven tapestry of images blending Nat and Sammy's stories is affecting and poignant. This will prove to be a vital read for teenagers and adults alike in search of a safer, more tolerant world. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fearing forced labour and death, Sammy and his friend Tesfay start the perilous journey across dangerous territory, two seas and the Sahara desert to reach the UK. Their horrific experiences, characterised by extreme violence, racism and loss, are portrayed in parallel to Nat's journey of discovery of the reality of life for refugees in the UK. As her brother falls in with right wing extremists, acting violently on their ideology, Mann shines a light on the broken system and deeply concerning views held by some which render life unliveable by those seeking to escape from war and poverty.
Mann writes skilfully, connecting the narratives and keeping the pace of the characters' journeys rapid. There are several moments which chilled my core - this woven tapestry of images blending Nat and Sammy's stories is affecting and poignant. This will prove to be a vital read for teenagers and adults alike in search of a safer, more tolerant world. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
georgilvsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
“Because no matter how dark it gets there are still stars in the sky.”
Oh my gosh, this book has completely broke me.
I am a huge fan of Manjeet’s work. This is my second book I have read by her, the first being Run, Rebel Run.
This was a very hard read, heartbreaking! It opened up my eyes to what people are having to go through just to be able to be free and safe and seek refuge.
A must read! Especially if you like free verse.
“The chance to live is worth dying for.”
Oh my gosh, this book has completely broke me.
I am a huge fan of Manjeet’s work. This is my second book I have read by her, the first being Run, Rebel Run.
This was a very hard read, heartbreaking! It opened up my eyes to what people are having to go through just to be able to be free and safe and seek refuge.
A must read! Especially if you like free verse.
“The chance to live is worth dying for.”
sarah06r's review
5.0
This book broke me. It did not sugarcoat the truth and did not change the ending so it could be happy, instead choosing to be painful but realistic. Sammy is a character that you root for, as even though everyone he loves is dead or gone he has survived. Yet at the end he becomes desperate and loses his life in the most brutal way: he gives up. Although sad this book tell the untold story of many refugees fleeing persecution and war who die every year crossing the Chanel. Natalie contrasts this harsh truth. Having just lost her mum her and her brother react in opposite ways. She becomes like her mother and embraces the values she once held. Her brother on the other hand rebels against this becoming a bigoted dick. However although her brother hates refugees so much he is similar to them in many ways. For example both him and the refugees celebrate man United win, if for different reasons. This goes to show that we are not all that different from one another and if we understand that the world would be a much better place. The verse is written beautifully and alternates smoothly between points of view. Overall an impactful read that brings a tear to the eye.