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shimmery's review against another edition
4.0
I go in to every Ali Smith book I read thinking she is the greatest living writer and I finish every one with that thought confirmed.
This latest edition to her seasonal series is a bit all over the place, a bit disjointed and fragmented, but I love that. I like how vital her work is, it feels like she isn’t being precious about her writing or trying to create perfect art or even conscious of it, she is just telling stories and writing about things that actually matter — in this book, the plight of refugees and immigrants and the awful conditions they face in detention centres.
The book has some horrific content in it — all stuff that is actually going on now, in Britain — and yet Ali Smith forgives every character and shows hope by uncovering the humanity among all the awfulness.
This latest edition to her seasonal series is a bit all over the place, a bit disjointed and fragmented, but I love that. I like how vital her work is, it feels like she isn’t being precious about her writing or trying to create perfect art or even conscious of it, she is just telling stories and writing about things that actually matter — in this book, the plight of refugees and immigrants and the awful conditions they face in detention centres.
The book has some horrific content in it — all stuff that is actually going on now, in Britain — and yet Ali Smith forgives every character and shows hope by uncovering the humanity among all the awfulness.
ksreads93's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maryvdb2024's review against another edition
4.0
Another brilliant book in series of 4 with many references tonSpring and focused on refugees in detention. Powerful prose . Reader is rewarded with each story joining to an inevitably predictable and sad event which plays out in way too many refugees lives. Poignant.
jh1980's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
allisonreadsabook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
janadej's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ermw0's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I enjoyed parts of this more than others, but Ali Smith is one of those authors who I just love. Ali Smith feels so familiar and instantly captivating, so even if I am not totally enamored with the story I still take a lot away.
luisn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
5.0
georgemayhew's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0