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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
Uniquely written. Deserves a second read after I do a bit of research on the author.
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Universality, for me, felt like a book written in three parts. The first is written as a longform article on an attack which took place during a national lockdown involving a bar of gold. the second the third parts then take characters from the story and expand on them.
I really enjoyed the opening article/story, it was captivating and fast moving. I found I wanted to keep coming back to it. Where I did find the book a let down was the rest which veered away from this plot and felt like it was really missing a plot. For me it just felt a bit directionless. Although I liked the style of writing I would have liked more of the story.
Overall not a book I'd recommend but on which does have some engaging and entertaining elements.
I really enjoyed the opening article/story, it was captivating and fast moving. I found I wanted to keep coming back to it. Where I did find the book a let down was the rest which veered away from this plot and felt like it was really missing a plot. For me it just felt a bit directionless. Although I liked the style of writing I would have liked more of the story.
Overall not a book I'd recommend but on which does have some engaging and entertaining elements.
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Universality is a really sharp and clever book. It’s not just about social issues like race, class, and media, but also about how people use stories to create division—or to gain power. Each character thinks they’re telling the truth, but you start to realize everyone’s shaping the story to suit themselves.
It made me think a lot about real-life figures who use controversy to stay in the spotlight. Unsettling but smart.