Reviews

i find the use of poetry in this so beautiful... so riveting. to say it simply, this book is like a collage of memories that evoke a range of emotions. kind of like a slice of life but from the perspective of the not-so privileged, a simple life. we get to see how maud martha grows up, and her various daily life challenges and joys, intricately and delicately described. a lovely book in general <3

anne_floor's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

arivnnv's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

dagdraumar's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad

4.0

siria's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

A novella composed of short, lyrical vignettes, Maud Martha follows the eponymous protagonist over some 20 years, from childhood through to marriage and motherhood from the '20s through to the end of WW2. Maud is bright and sentimental and imaginative, stuck in an unsatisfying marriage and a run-down apartment in a racist city, but perpetually full of day dreams and hope for the future. Gwendolyn Brooks' prose makes the everyday beautiful and conjures up vividly what life must have been like in a mid-century, predominantly Black and working-class community in Chicago. Definitely recommended.

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