Reviews

Becoming Dinah by Kit de Waal

maddoxx's review

4.0

This was a very special book for me because what happened to Dinah resonated so much with me on a highly personal level.
De Waal did a wonderful job at portraying these character's flaws and fears - not just Dinah's, but also Ahab's, her father's, her mother's, Jonah's and Caroline's. I enjoyed every minute of it and every emotion Dinah went through, I also went through.

sterredinah's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

knitted_bookworm's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

3.5

starkva's review

2.0

I felt pretty underwhelmed by this book. Maybe because I haven't read Moby Dick, or maybe because I just didn't really connect with any of the characters, I wasn't too bothered about what happened. I felt like it could have explored gender identity a lot more, and looked at the way

Spoiler

confusion about sexuality can lead to confusion about gender, and vice versa

...

alongreader's review

3.0

The classic tale Moby Dick is re imagined in this new coming of age story, with Dinah, our young Ishmael, driving a van named the Piquod owned by Ahab in search of a white van, stolen from him while his prosthetic leg was inside. Dinah just wants to get away from home, but as they travel further and further she starts to wonder about Ahab's state of mind.


I'm sure I missed a lot of the injokes in this since I'm not very familiar with Moby Dick, but the story is completely understandable without any knowledge. As a coming of age story it's interesting, though marred by several grammar and spelling errors, causing me to drop a star. I liked Dinah, a teenage girl who is scared of almost everything in her life but finds the strength to stand up to it anyway.

A very interesting read. I hope Kit de Waal writes more for teens, she has the knack.


I received a free copy and chose to post an honest review.

lawbooks600's review

3.0

5/10, it was a bit too much for me.

yara26's review

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-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

andream0885's review

hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

trishl's review

5.0

Brilliant - loved it. Very sad but ultimately sweet story of a teenage girl who grew up in a commune, trying to come to terms with her parents separation, fit in at a school where she feels she doesnt belong and her own sexuality.

plumdayteatime's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0