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jamietherebelliousreader's review
4.0
4 stars. A very interesting and unique read. A mixture of mystery, self discovery and identity. The writing was good but the way the story was told was a bit much at times and I found that I got lost. Still, it was a really good read. I didn’t know what to expect going in which I think was for the best. I jumped in and enjoyed the ride. I don’t have much to say about this one but I would definitely recommend it.
iwanttoreadandgetpaid's review
5.0
Wow! This was exquisitely written, thought provoking, and just had all the elements of a great book! Highly recommend!
reneetc's review
5.0
What a gripping tale! Congrats to Samuel for winning the 2018 Ann Bannon Popular Choice award.
I'm not a fan of books that jump from past to present because I lose focus. However, in An Outsider Inside, the emotional connection between a past tale and the present one kept me glued to my seat til I finished the book—homework be damned. In addition, I like Samuel's pacing from the past to present (or scene to scene). Just about every character have a certain level of complexity that's engaging. The major and minor plots are well-developed and interestingly multidimensional. Samuel kept me guessing about Lana, Jaya, Ishmael, and what Chole would ultimately do. Towards the end, there's a turn of events I totally did not see coming. An Outsider Inside is one of those stories that stays with you.
Great book! I highly recommend it! Read it...like yesterday!
I'm not a fan of books that jump from past to present because I lose focus. However, in An Outsider Inside, the emotional connection between a past tale and the present one kept me glued to my seat til I finished the book—homework be damned. In addition, I like Samuel's pacing from the past to present (or scene to scene). Just about every character have a certain level of complexity that's engaging. The major and minor plots are well-developed and interestingly multidimensional. Samuel kept me guessing about Lana, Jaya, Ishmael, and what Chole would ultimately do. Towards the end, there's a turn of events I totally did not see coming. An Outsider Inside is one of those stories that stays with you.
Great book! I highly recommend it! Read it...like yesterday!
elvang's review
5.0
Full disclosure. I had the good fortune to be one of the beta readers for An Outsider Inside. I’ve watched this story morph and change into what I consider the author’s best work to date. This book has it all. Samuel examines prejudice in its many forms, the most obvious being skin colour and sexual orientation, the more subtle involving cultural diversity with underlying hints at domestic violence. She balances these darker themes with a message of hope, enlightenment, and opportunity for new beginnings. She adds humour to help diffuse the darkness. She writes with authority using her gorgeous prose and poetry to pull the reader into the lives of her characters both real and fictional. And yes, she even manages to fit in a bit of romance amidst the drama.
I am a huge fan of RJ Samuel because she continues to raise the level of literary excellence in lesbian fiction with her writing. Her plot twists are reminiscent of the works of Sarah Waters, her settings and understanding of the human condition rival the many books I’ve read by Emma Donoghue.
An Outsider Inside is a thought provoking read which will have you questioning your own bias and prejudices. It may also help you appreciate the privileges you take for granted.
ARC received from author for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of RJ Samuel because she continues to raise the level of literary excellence in lesbian fiction with her writing. Her plot twists are reminiscent of the works of Sarah Waters, her settings and understanding of the human condition rival the many books I’ve read by Emma Donoghue.
An Outsider Inside is a thought provoking read which will have you questioning your own bias and prejudices. It may also help you appreciate the privileges you take for granted.
ARC received from author for an honest review.
biblio_gabriella's review
4.0
4.5 stars. I wasn’t really attached to the storyline during the first half of the book...I liked Jaya, but I wasn’t sure how her biphobia would get solved. Then about halfway through, I suddenly found myself in the depths of frenetic obsession. Once we’re introduced to all the characters, it gets REALLY intense, REALLY fast. The second half of the book is at once deliciously frustrating, romantically tension-filled, and utterly horrifying. Like dang, this is one of those books I know I have to reread at some point. An Outsider Inside is great because it gives you room to theorize while you read. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be right about some things and completely taken aback by others!
lezreviewbooks's review
5.0
This book is in my list of recommended books of the month:
https://lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com/recommended-lesfic-books-of-april-2018/
In the run-up to Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage, Irish-Indian lesbian activist Jaya Dillon has to confront her unresolved issues on bisexualty and her mixed-race origin. When she discovers a manuscript while tidying a rental house, she finds herself emotionally invested in search for its disappeared author.
This is not a typical romance and definitely not an easy read as it touches difficult identity issues such as race, gender and sexuality. On top of that, the author deals with politics, feminism and arranged marriages as well. Some of the real events described in this book are close to my heart as I live in Ireland and witnessed the process of the referendum vote on same sex marriage which was a great advancement for the LGBT community. The myriad of characters - mains or secondary, heroes or villains - are well rounded and realistic and for once I've found a set of credible Irish characters in lesfic. There is a book inside this book and Ms. Samuel works well to set each different writing styles. Regarding the mystery disappearance that Jaya tries to solve, the author keeps the reader guessing how events are going to develop including an unexpected twist at the end. It is a testing read, not always pleasant but surely worth it.
Overall, a very well written book. Highly recommended if you are in the mood for a challenging read. 4.5 stars.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
https://lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com/recommended-lesfic-books-of-april-2018/
In the run-up to Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage, Irish-Indian lesbian activist Jaya Dillon has to confront her unresolved issues on bisexualty and her mixed-race origin. When she discovers a manuscript while tidying a rental house, she finds herself emotionally invested in search for its disappeared author.
This is not a typical romance and definitely not an easy read as it touches difficult identity issues such as race, gender and sexuality. On top of that, the author deals with politics, feminism and arranged marriages as well. Some of the real events described in this book are close to my heart as I live in Ireland and witnessed the process of the referendum vote on same sex marriage which was a great advancement for the LGBT community. The myriad of characters - mains or secondary, heroes or villains - are well rounded and realistic and for once I've found a set of credible Irish characters in lesfic. There is a book inside this book and Ms. Samuel works well to set each different writing styles. Regarding the mystery disappearance that Jaya tries to solve, the author keeps the reader guessing how events are going to develop including an unexpected twist at the end. It is a testing read, not always pleasant but surely worth it.
Overall, a very well written book. Highly recommended if you are in the mood for a challenging read. 4.5 stars.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
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