Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

7 reviews

sarasreading's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

I'm not totally sure what to say about this one. I absolutely loved The Snow Child, and I thought I'd love this one too, but it didn't grip me the same way. I think it's biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. It's told in letters, which make it feel so grounded in history that I nearly Googled a bunch of things after finishing, even though it's fiction. But I think this style of narration was also the reason I had a harder time connecting to the story. It all felt very distant, and it was hard to really care about the characters the same way. Although I will say that I got misty at the end, so that's something! 

I'm glad I read it in winter, as it's so fitting, and the extra illustrations and photographs really added to the magic. And it is a little magical. I thought I was reading straight historical fiction, and then things got WEIRD. So if you're looking for historical fiction that feels super true to life with a big dose of magical realism, this would be a good one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage

Moderate: Colonisation, Racism, Body horror, Death, and Grief

kiwialexa's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation

Minor: Miscarriage

meggenlee's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book is one of the better books and I’ve read this year, and I read a lot. There was something for everyone: adventure, spirituality, and a struggle between man and nature. But the true gem at the heart of this story was the unconventional love story between the two protagonists. The author weaves her tale with precision and artistry. But her true gift is her ability to draw her character with intelligence and humanity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage

Moderate: Colonisation

sjanke2's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Death of parent, Sexism, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Colonisation

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

This is such a beautiful book, lyrical, mysterious, just gorgeous. It’s a story told in letters, diaries, military orders, articles, and advertisements, and includes drawings and photographs. The format brings an immediacy to the telling, drawing the reader into the tale. 

I was emotionally invested in all of these characters and it was hard to say goodbye when the book ended. I can’t recommend it highly enough. This is the second time I’ve read it and I look forward to reading it a third time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Xenophobia

dnlrbchd's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Colonisation

Moderate: War, Grief, Gun violence, Alcohol, Violence, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Medical content, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexism, Cannibalism, Child death, and Genocide

gloomylamp's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation

Moderate: Miscarriage and Death