Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I don’t really have similar life experiences to this book, but I can appreciate its insight without being able to relate. The writing was very good and compelling, and I think however you look at it, this was written by an honest writer. i think this is 3.5 stars rounded up for me
I finished it quickly, but to me, it wasn’t exactly gripping. It’s a well written story about life. About grief. About hardship. About race. About hope.
“Come home to The Park.” | Here is another fantastic read by David Chariandy, called, “Brother”. It is a coming of age story set in Scarborough - yes, another book from my local reads pile. It deals with brotherhood, family, race, community, culture, gun violence, police brutality… just to name a few. It’s emotional and heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s won and been nominated for countless awards…and rightfully so.
Lawdamassy. I managed to make this last 5 days but only because I'd purposely leave it at home so I couldn't gobble it up. This is a slim book but it's heavy like string shopping bags on market day and Dragon Stout. I cried too many times to count. How are we in 2018 and this story still feels so relevant? Beautiful and political and you will catch feelings when you read it.
This was such a sad, gentle read that sometimes felt distant, like the protagonist, even in the first person, didn’t want to let you in on his grief.
Brother by David Chariandy is a beautiful, emotional novel about two brothers growing up in Scarborough, Ontario in the early 90s. Michael is the younger brother, and the book is told from his perspective as he deals with a complicated and hard life. His mother, a Trinidadian immigrant, works long hours to try to give her sons a better life, while his brother, Francis, dreams of a future in music. But when Michael and Francis witness a violent shooting in their neighbourhood, their future changes irrevocably.
Brother is a short novel, but every word is meaningful. Chariandy tackles difficult and important issues like race, immigration, masculinity, and family. This is a powerful read and an important book; it would not surprise me to see Brother on the literary award nomination lists, an honour it certainly deserves.
Brother is a short novel, but every word is meaningful. Chariandy tackles difficult and important issues like race, immigration, masculinity, and family. This is a powerful read and an important book; it would not surprise me to see Brother on the literary award nomination lists, an honour it certainly deserves.
Maybe like a 4.7 or 4.8.
I was...mesmerized is the word, I think, by this book. I can't help but contrast it with Scarborough, which I finished just a few weeks ago - both are stories told about hard lives lived in this inner suburb of Toronto. But Brother is a different kind of book. There's poetry and imagery on nearly every page. I won't soon forget descriptors such as "rotted snow" or "eyes bleeding water." And it has an edge of darkness and mystery that Scarborough did not. There is no happy ending or neat conclusions to this book, just as there sometimes are none in real life as well.
I was...mesmerized is the word, I think, by this book. I can't help but contrast it with Scarborough, which I finished just a few weeks ago - both are stories told about hard lives lived in this inner suburb of Toronto. But Brother is a different kind of book. There's poetry and imagery on nearly every page. I won't soon forget descriptors such as "rotted snow" or "eyes bleeding water." And it has an edge of darkness and mystery that Scarborough did not. There is no happy ending or neat conclusions to this book, just as there sometimes are none in real life as well.
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos?disable_polymer=true
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
Michael and Francis, sons of a Trinidad immigrant, live in Scarbrough, Canada. Francis dreams of a future in music and Michael has his eyes set on Aisha, a smart girl from his high school. After a tragic shooting, police are suspicious of the brothers and those they associate with.
I loved how this was set in Canada and so close to where I am from! I haven't seen many books set here so it was nice to see! I really liked the family dynamics in this book. It was very clear that the brothers cared for each other deeply and I loved how they took care of their mother. The main issue I had with the book and the reason I rated it so low was that I just found it to be slow and boring in my opinion. I think that it is a very powerful story overall, and I can see why so many people enjoyed it... but it was just not my cup of tea.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
Michael and Francis, sons of a Trinidad immigrant, live in Scarbrough, Canada. Francis dreams of a future in music and Michael has his eyes set on Aisha, a smart girl from his high school. After a tragic shooting, police are suspicious of the brothers and those they associate with.
I loved how this was set in Canada and so close to where I am from! I haven't seen many books set here so it was nice to see! I really liked the family dynamics in this book. It was very clear that the brothers cared for each other deeply and I loved how they took care of their mother. The main issue I had with the book and the reason I rated it so low was that I just found it to be slow and boring in my opinion. I think that it is a very powerful story overall, and I can see why so many people enjoyed it... but it was just not my cup of tea.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had to read this book for class but as a standalone book i ended up enjoying it
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes