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nicolaparty's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Abortion
babsbee's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I got pulled into this novel from the first page, and I stayed up late way too many nights telling myself I'd read just a few more pages. There were so many times reading the story of Akorfa and Selasi (and the various other people around them) that I wanted to scream my rage at the people who kept trying to silence them, to remind them that they should not bring dishonor or embarrassment to their families. A look into racism (for Akorfa in the US), into a corrupt government trying to silence Selasi when she stands up for another young woman (in Ghana), dealing with deaths and abandonment of family members, and the rape they both experience made me so angry for them. But yet, Akorfa and Selasi (especially Selasi) also gave me hope. They are strong women and they know their strength and will not be silenced.
It's a challenging read but also a very fast one, and one that I highly recommend for everyone to read.
It's a challenging read but also a very fast one, and one that I highly recommend for everyone to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
apicalyptic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Incest
baileyanabella's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Abortion, and Pregnancy
readalongwithyasmin's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
balladofreadingqueer's review
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. It was such an enjoyable and engaging read. It follows two young girls, cousins and best friends Selasi and Akorfa. Their lives start as close friends in the village of Ho, but as Akorfa moves to Accra and they go to boarding school and eventually to university their lives become more and more distant. An eventual confrontation and secret reveals truths about their past.
This story addresses friendship, family, reputation, expectations and life plans.
This story addresses friendship, family, reputation, expectations and life plans.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
amy_park's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Read this book via audio and really enjoyed the journey and writing style. We follow two cousins in Ghana for a span of 30 years and the fallout of their friendship break down and how their lives progressed separately and finally join back together. This book is very emotional and passionate which really resonated within the audio book.
I liked the originality of the book being separated by the first half being told by Akorfa and second half from Selasi's perspective. I found it engaging and having both perspectives you really digged deeper into the characters and storyline.
Many heavy areas were explored, which emotionally drew me in. I would read more from this author and definetly would recommend reading via audiobook.
I liked the originality of the book being separated by the first half being told by Akorfa and second half from Selasi's perspective. I found it engaging and having both perspectives you really digged deeper into the characters and storyline.
Many heavy areas were explored, which emotionally drew me in. I would read more from this author and definetly would recommend reading via audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Abortion
booksillremember's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
An interesting story, and I like the idea of showing it through two POVs. Complex family dynamics and intergenerational trauma were described in an insightful and mostly nuanced way.
The novel is a commentary on #metoo, racism and classism in Ghana and to a lesser extend the US. Towards the end, it feels really quite preachy, as if the author doesn't trust her characters to convey the message or she doesn't trust her readers to understand it otherwise (there's a few pages where Akorfa mentally lists all the pros and cons of living in Ghana vs the US as a black person, almost like a school essay).
I feel the author relies too much on 'tell, don't show' instead of letting the character's actions speak for themselves. I also wish more time had been spent on the main characters coming to term with their pasts.
That said, the writing style is very accessible and I enjoyed learning a bit about Ghana (and really want to try the food now), so I'd definitely recommend picking this up if you need a break from more challenging reads.
The novel is a commentary on #metoo, racism and classism in Ghana and to a lesser extend the US. Towards the end, it feels really quite preachy, as if the author doesn't trust her characters to convey the message or she doesn't trust her readers to understand it otherwise (there's a few pages where Akorfa mentally lists all the pros and cons of living in Ghana vs the US as a black person, almost like a school essay).
I feel the author relies too much on 'tell, don't show' instead of letting the character's actions speak for themselves. I also wish more time had been spent on the main characters coming to term with their pasts.
That said, the writing style is very accessible and I enjoyed learning a bit about Ghana (and really want to try the food now), so I'd definitely recommend picking this up if you need a break from more challenging reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Abortion, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
claire_p's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Read as longlisted for the Womens Prize for Fiction 2024. The novel explores the meaning of "There’s two sides to every story". Loved the concept and the unique narration of both girls as they embark on differnt journeys from childhood to adulthood. Wanted more from the section where both characters were reunited.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
linda_elaine's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault