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A review by lawbooks600
Irmina by Barbara Yelin
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Representation: Black character
Score: Seven points out of ten.
I saw Irmina as a new library arrival so I immediately wanted to read it. I glanced at the blurb which made me think it would be a heavy yet intriguing read. Afterward, I checked the high ratings and reviews so I headed in with high expectations. I soon read it, and when I finished it, I found it an enjoyable read.
It starts with the titular character, Irmina, moving to England from Germany where she comes across another person named Howard Green, one of the first Black students at the University of Oxford. It only took around 800 years. However, Howard's experience in England felt inauthentic as the author is dissimilar to him. They start a platonic relationship which lasts the opening pages when Irmina had to return to Germany since her funds stopped transferring. Back in Germany, I saw the chilling rise of fascism as Irmina had to start a deep relationship with another character, George. The narrative quickens its pace from here as Irmina has her first child. Here's the thing: how could Irmina be so defiant in England by starting a relationship with another person not of her race but blend in and do nothing rebellious in Germany? That is a question with no answer yet. The author sets part three of the story in Barbados, forty years from part two as Irmina meets Howard again, concluding it on a high note.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
I saw Irmina as a new library arrival so I immediately wanted to read it. I glanced at the blurb which made me think it would be a heavy yet intriguing read. Afterward, I checked the high ratings and reviews so I headed in with high expectations. I soon read it, and when I finished it, I found it an enjoyable read.
It starts with the titular character, Irmina, moving to England from Germany where she comes across another person named Howard Green, one of the first Black students at the University of Oxford. It only took around 800 years. However, Howard's experience in England felt inauthentic as the author is dissimilar to him. They start a platonic relationship which lasts the opening pages when Irmina had to return to Germany since her funds stopped transferring. Back in Germany, I saw the chilling rise of fascism as Irmina had to start a deep relationship with another character, George. The narrative quickens its pace from here as Irmina has her first child. Here's the thing: how could Irmina be so defiant in England by starting a relationship with another person not of her race but blend in and do nothing rebellious in Germany? That is a question with no answer yet. The author sets part three of the story in Barbados, forty years from part two as Irmina meets Howard again, concluding it on a high note.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Antisemitism
Minor: Death
Full trigger warnings: Fire, World War Two, military violence and war themes, racism, antisemitism, physical illness, death of a husband