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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I have to be honest, first things first; I liked this novel. I did not really like this novel, but I wanted to really like this novel. One of the aspects I enjoyed the most was the characters. All of the characters lifted right off the page, they felt real and whole, and layered in a way that can be hard to convey, and I feel Zoboi did this exceedingly well. Perhaps it was something about the interjection of each main character's inner thoughts/personal narratives that helped to give dimension to everyone, which also served a dual purpose in demonstrating to readers that Zoboi was not relying on stereotypes, lest readers draw the wrong conclusions. I also really enjoyed all the spiritual elements of the novel as well.
But this book could have easily been another 100 pages. First of all, what we believe to be one of the driving conflicts ultimately gets resolved, but in such a quick, overlooked manner that it feels almost disingenuous to the rest of the story as we thought we knew it. But our preconceived notions are not quite on target, because all along we've been barreling towards a climax that I certainly did not see coming. Perhaps I am naive, or did not know enough about the book, but I was completely blindsided. And then, shortly after the climax, the novel is done. It's just too quick, or at least to quick for me. In my opinion, the last 50 pages of the story, in terms of plot, are completely underdeveloped, but maybe that's just me. Nonetheless, this is an extremely important addition to YA literature in 2017/2018, so I am glad that it is getting the right attention.
But this book could have easily been another 100 pages. First of all, what we believe to be one of the driving conflicts ultimately gets resolved, but in such a quick, overlooked manner that it feels almost disingenuous to the rest of the story as we thought we knew it. But our preconceived notions are not quite on target, because all along we've been barreling towards a climax that I certainly did not see coming. Perhaps I am naive, or did not know enough about the book, but I was completely blindsided. And then, shortly after the climax, the novel is done. It's just too quick, or at least to quick for me. In my opinion, the last 50 pages of the story, in terms of plot, are completely underdeveloped, but maybe that's just me. Nonetheless, this is an extremely important addition to YA literature in 2017/2018, so I am glad that it is getting the right attention.
I learned a lot from this novel, and it was very moving.
I specifically appreciated how large a role Fab's faith played, and how it was this integral part of her being.
I specifically appreciated how large a role Fab's faith played, and how it was this integral part of her being.
medium-paced
Unsure what happened to the plot ?! It got lost. A lot happened in the last little bit of the book. Decent story though.
10/04/2017
Should've been a great story, but suffered from terrible execution.
Fabiola is such a bland and flat character. Her narration reads as though it is stage cues from a screen play. There are no senses beside sight and no emotions, and this in turn makes the story very tiresome to read. She makes careless mistakes and her assimilation into American culture is unbalanced and forced. Her cousins are left as archetypes with no development, and Kasim, though sweet, I had no feelings towards him because of the choppy writing. Basically no character grows throughout the story — not even the protagonist. It makes Fabiola's goals and actions seem spontaneous because we as the reader never feel the same desires as Fabiola is supposed to. We never stan for her and her family. The author tries to blend voudou and the lwas into the story but it ends up being dry and even though it is something I'm very interested in, I just skipped over it most of the time. The anecdotes done by the supporting characters were terribly done and it felt like a cheap way to give other characters backstories. The author simply should've found a way to intergrate it into the main story.
I'm really disappointed. We need more diversity in books, and a book about immigrants and drugs and those who struggle in Detroit should be read by many, but not if the book is sloppy and shallow.
25/01/2016
First three chapters here: http://www.epicreads.com/blog/read-the-first-three-chapters-of-american-street/
Seems very interesting, and I like Fabiola's voice. Oh, my heart bleeds for her!
Should've been a great story, but suffered from terrible execution.
Fabiola is such a bland and flat character. Her narration reads as though it is stage cues from a screen play. There are no senses beside sight and no emotions, and this in turn makes the story very tiresome to read. She makes careless mistakes and her assimilation into American culture is unbalanced and forced. Her cousins are left as archetypes with no development, and Kasim, though sweet, I had no feelings towards him because of the choppy writing. Basically no character grows throughout the story — not even the protagonist. It makes Fabiola's goals and actions seem spontaneous because we as the reader never feel the same desires as Fabiola is supposed to. We never stan for her and her family. The author tries to blend voudou and the lwas into the story but it ends up being dry and even though it is something I'm very interested in, I just skipped over it most of the time. The anecdotes done by the supporting characters were terribly done and it felt like a cheap way to give other characters backstories. The author simply should've found a way to intergrate it into the main story.
I'm really disappointed. We need more diversity in books, and a book about immigrants and drugs and those who struggle in Detroit should be read by many, but not if the book is sloppy and shallow.
25/01/2016
First three chapters here: http://www.epicreads.com/blog/read-the-first-three-chapters-of-american-street/
Seems very interesting, and I like Fabiola's voice. Oh, my heart bleeds for her!
Decided to read because it was a national book award finalist for young people's literature. It was Well written, I guess; but something about how the story was handled bothered me.
Fabiola Toussaint arrives in the United States with her mother, from their hometown of Port-au-Prince. Her mother is detained by immigration authorities, but Fabiola is sent on her own to family in Detroit. Waiting with four suitcases holding all their belongings, she is picked up by her cousins: Chantal, Donna, and Princess. They are known in their west Detroit neighborhood as the 3 B's: Brains, Beauty, and Brawn, respectively. She is quickly introduced to all that Detroit and America has to offer: education, money, friendship, family, and romance. But she's also introduced to the other side of life in Detroit: drugs, crime, and violence.
Fabiola is approached by a police detective who offers her what ends up being a Faustian bargain - if Fabiola can give information on some bad drugs being sold in a nearby neighborhood, her mom can be released from the immigration detention center. Fabiola ends up giving more than she can ever imagine.
Zoboi does an excellent job developing characters that the reader will become invested in, and a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. She calls attention to the plight of families torn apart by immigration policies, as well as families torn apart by the illegal drug trade. In Fabiola, Zoboi juxtaposes the competing impulses of assimilating to American ways versus adhering to her Haitian way.
The audiobook was wonderfully narrated, and brought the characters and the story to life. Definitely recommend!!
Fabiola is approached by a police detective who offers her what ends up being a Faustian bargain - if Fabiola can give information on some bad drugs being sold in a nearby neighborhood, her mom can be released from the immigration detention center. Fabiola ends up giving more than she can ever imagine.
Zoboi does an excellent job developing characters that the reader will become invested in, and a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. She calls attention to the plight of families torn apart by immigration policies, as well as families torn apart by the illegal drug trade. In Fabiola, Zoboi juxtaposes the competing impulses of assimilating to American ways versus adhering to her Haitian way.
The audiobook was wonderfully narrated, and brought the characters and the story to life. Definitely recommend!!
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Zoboi's subtle choices with magic are stunning. I love how she interweaves the vodoun beliefs with the narrative at large. A lovely, heartbreaking story.