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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
struggled with this book, a lot, to understand what was goong in. in 2 dif ways, bc the beginning is very different from the end. the beginning was quick to get used to (just the mysterious pov and lack of para breaks) but the end had many many references to other works, at time recounting them, and i feel that reader experience is greatly reduced if unfamiliar
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
sad
Diego Garcia is one of those books which is a one of a kind read but it also, for me, falls into the ‘admire but not love’ category.
The titular main character is a person that a couple meet in a library. We find out that Diego is named after an island in the Chagos archipelago, which is near Mauritius and was part of a British colony and had a turbulent history.
The couple then want to atone for this gross chapter in history and want to tell the story, yet this brings up a paradox as it’s technically not their story to tell, which is where the book goes into a lot of interesting territories.
Using interviews, simultaneous conversations and reports. Natasha Soobramanien and Luke Williams create a mind warping read which surprises the reader with each page turn. On top of that there’s a lot of references to both popular and underground bands ( kudos for mentioning Big Joanie, who released a new album the week I read Diego Garcia).
Unfortunately the book didn’t grab me. I understand it is a post modern look at colonialism and it is definitely a unique read but I just couldn’t get invested and got bored quite a few times. I know it’s just me and it’s a pity as there’s a lot to admire here.
The titular main character is a person that a couple meet in a library. We find out that Diego is named after an island in the Chagos archipelago, which is near Mauritius and was part of a British colony and had a turbulent history.
The couple then want to atone for this gross chapter in history and want to tell the story, yet this brings up a paradox as it’s technically not their story to tell, which is where the book goes into a lot of interesting territories.
Using interviews, simultaneous conversations and reports. Natasha Soobramanien and Luke Williams create a mind warping read which surprises the reader with each page turn. On top of that there’s a lot of references to both popular and underground bands ( kudos for mentioning Big Joanie, who released a new album the week I read Diego Garcia).
Unfortunately the book didn’t grab me. I understand it is a post modern look at colonialism and it is definitely a unique read but I just couldn’t get invested and got bored quite a few times. I know it’s just me and it’s a pity as there’s a lot to admire here.
Although I appreciate that there is merit and purpose to the alternative grammar and structuring of this book. For me it took away from the telling it the actual story and therefore the story's importance.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this one for an upcoming book discussion in class, and I came to it with an open mind, ready to enjoy the way it’d break boundaries to win the Goldsmith’s award. What I found with this was a blend of conversation and journalism, of speculation and hard fact.
I really enjoyed the first 2 thirds, with some fascinating use of pronouns and perspective shifting. While I wasn’t so tied to it I couldn’t put it down, I was engaged enough to get through it in a week. The last third, however, that is the exchange of letters between Damaris and Oliver, I became lost in their constant information streams. I wasn’t connected with the referenced texts and I honestly skimmed quite a bit of it.
Overall I’m glad I gave it its full chance and finished it, but I couldn’t say I’m keen for a reread. I’d love to find some analysis of it and see what the general consensus is, because I do note how interesting this piece of work is, I just don’t fully grasp everything in it.
I really enjoyed the first 2 thirds, with some fascinating use of pronouns and perspective shifting. While I wasn’t so tied to it I couldn’t put it down, I was engaged enough to get through it in a week. The last third, however, that is the exchange of letters between Damaris and Oliver, I became lost in their constant information streams. I wasn’t connected with the referenced texts and I honestly skimmed quite a bit of it.
Overall I’m glad I gave it its full chance and finished it, but I couldn’t say I’m keen for a reread. I’d love to find some analysis of it and see what the general consensus is, because I do note how interesting this piece of work is, I just don’t fully grasp everything in it.