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mayawyp's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 - this is the second Brit Bennett book I’ve read and it doesn’t disappoint. A story about love, loss, and family - and the tough decisions we make that define our future.
laurabishopha's review against another edition
4.0
This was a book of well developed flawed human characters with pain that was easy to understand. The Upper Room as a church was basically a character if it’s own and it was fascinating to see how the author tried to bring the “mothers” of the upper room into the book with their voice. It was reminiscent of church as I know it- well meaning at times but also often brutal and drama inducing. Unfortunately, I think the execution and use of that voice could have been better. The chapters where the mothers talked felt abrupt both in timeline and character… and it was hard to follow of feel any particular way towards them.
jheher's review against another edition
4.0
2016/17 Bookshop Santa Cruz Winter Reading selection.
After the election I read that if I really wanted to understand people of other cultures and perspectives I should watch what they watch and read what they write. So when I saw that my local bookshop had this book as part of their winter reading program I chose it because if the folks at Bookshop Santa Cruz found it to be compelling I could trust there would be something for me in the text too.
I found the study of a young black girl/woman's struggle to survive the path laid out for her - some of her choosing, some not - convicting. It caused me to think more deeply about why she was in the situations she was in and what needs to change to improve those catalysts. I learned a lot - especially that there's a lot I don't understand.
If found Bennett's writing easy to read and could easily envision many of the characters and their voices. It was a great story for me to read. This was bordering on 5 stars until the last sentence. More proof there's so much I don't understand.
After the election I read that if I really wanted to understand people of other cultures and perspectives I should watch what they watch and read what they write. So when I saw that my local bookshop had this book as part of their winter reading program I chose it because if the folks at Bookshop Santa Cruz found it to be compelling I could trust there would be something for me in the text too.
I found the study of a young black girl/woman's struggle to survive the path laid out for her - some of her choosing, some not - convicting. It caused me to think more deeply about why she was in the situations she was in and what needs to change to improve those catalysts. I learned a lot - especially that there's a lot I don't understand.
If found Bennett's writing easy to read and could easily envision many of the characters and their voices. It was a great story for me to read. This was bordering on 5 stars until the last sentence. More proof there's so much I don't understand.
msneon's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book in one day. It was a heartbreaking yet captivating story of love and loss and growth.
marbravo's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Suicide
aliciasewell's review against another edition
4.0
I can definitely see the growth from this novel to The Vanishing Half. This one lacked development. Even with that, it was still a good book.
missduh337's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beautifully written, but I'm not usually drawn to this type of character-driven story. I'm glad I was able to read it on audio because the passive listening really helped me get through the slower parts. And while I am capable of loving a complex character who makes questionable choices, it was just too much to make basically every character an adulterer and then ask me to keep caring about them.
I enjoyed the writing style, the Greek-chorus of church ladies, and how the community of Upper Room acted as the beating heart of the novel. The complicated nature of motherhood was a binding thematic thread that kept me engaged despite my ambivalence towards these characters. Although this wasn't a standout read for me, it was a deeply reflective one.
I enjoyed the writing style, the Greek-chorus of church ladies, and how the community of Upper Room acted as the beating heart of the novel. The complicated nature of motherhood was a binding thematic thread that kept me engaged despite my ambivalence towards these characters. Although this wasn't a standout read for me, it was a deeply reflective one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide, Abortion, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
jenammenwerth's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Flat prose, slow plot. Interesting setting