Reviews

Banana Heart Summer by Merlinda Bobis

alpheaa's review

emotional inspiring reflective slow-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

everbooked's review

4.0

This is a very beautifully written story about a girl growing up, learning about herself and the world, and how she changes as she learns all this. There were a lot of nostalgic moments especially when Nenita, the mc, talks about food and her love for cooking and eating. But there were also heavier themes that deal more on the realities that girls face, especially for her circumstances.

The other characters were also written so well. They were essential too, to Nenita's growth. And even when they weren't the main character, I was still waiting for how their life would turn out to be.

This is a very good and insightful book.

charleygonzaga's review against another edition

5.0

an atmospheric commentary on the complexity of “simple life” in the Philippines. this book felt like home– what a wonderful read.

kittoo's review

emotional funny medium-paced

4.0

francisgregdc's review

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

romaverse's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative reflective

4.0

mixeterna's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am shattered

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Suicide

circehighgarden's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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? Yes

5.0

Speechless. I wasn't expecting that ending. How can a book hurt a reader's heart that awfully? I would never be able to pick up this book again. But I am very certain that this story will remain forever imprinted in my heart.

gunita's review

dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

exitwound's review

adventurous emotional reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5