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A review by blendedbydesignreads
Swift River by Essie J. Chambers
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
Diamond Newberry broke my heart and lifted my spirit, all in one big emotional read.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the eArc of this novel and the opportunity to share my honest opinion.
Based in the 80s, in small town America, Diamond's a young girl who's future is based on her mom's ability to prove her missing Pop's is dead. Bi-racial in a town where she's the only Black person, poor, overweight and friendless, Diamond's story is one that showcases the shades of resilience and self-preservation. In an effort to create a future for herself, Diamond secretly goes against her mom's rules and pursues her drivers licence. That same summer, she makes her first real friend, smashes her way through summer in a way that only teens can and is reunited with an Aunty from her Pop's side of the family, giving voice to her Blackness and ancestral lineage.
What I loved - Diamond's patience and love for her mom nearly did me in. This sweet baby, she just cared for her momma so much. Her ability to love on a mother that had all but dissociated from real life and scrape some semblance of a life, regardless of the humiliation, was hard to read... and yet so relatable.
What didn't land - two things, really. I wasn't a big fan of how much was left unanswered when it came to Pop's. I'm also not sure I'm okay with Mr. Jimmy and Shelly's relationship.
Favourite character - I mean, I'm obsessed with Diamond (I grew up in a small town in the 80s as the only Black person and am a biracial adoptee to a white family, so...). Shelly, however, was everything for me. She just kinda showed up, loved on Diamond in away that allowed her to believe in tomorrow. It was so simple and effortless, uncomplicated. Two broken young souls, helping each other put the pieces back together.
Least favourite character - I really really really want to hate her mom, but I can't. I get it. And I'm just so sad for her, but I also just wanna give her a big shake and tell her to stop making her baby hitchhike through life.
Favourite scene - Diamond and Shelly sneaking in a swim at work after hours. Everything about that moment was written in a way that felt like a long lost memory, and exercise in hopefullnesss. I didn't want that moment to end, for either girl.
Last impression - Diamond sharing her letters from Lena with her mom and what that meant for her future. And the gift her mom had waiting for her... insert ugly cry.
I would recommend this for anyone likes Summer Sisters, Dumplin' and Lullibies for Little Criminal
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the eArc of this novel and the opportunity to share my honest opinion.
Based in the 80s, in small town America, Diamond's a young girl who's future is based on her mom's ability to prove her missing Pop's is dead. Bi-racial in a town where she's the only Black person, poor, overweight and friendless, Diamond's story is one that showcases the shades of resilience and self-preservation. In an effort to create a future for herself, Diamond secretly goes against her mom's rules and pursues her drivers licence. That same summer, she makes her first real friend, smashes her way through summer in a way that only teens can and is reunited with an Aunty from her Pop's side of the family, giving voice to her Blackness and ancestral lineage.
What I loved - Diamond's patience and love for her mom nearly did me in. This sweet baby, she just cared for her momma so much. Her ability to love on a mother that had all but dissociated from real life and scrape some semblance of a life, regardless of the humiliation, was hard to read... and yet so relatable.
What didn't land - two things, really. I wasn't a big fan of how much was left unanswered when it came to Pop's. I'm also not sure I'm okay with Mr. Jimmy and Shelly's relationship.
Favourite character - I mean, I'm obsessed with Diamond (I grew up in a small town in the 80s as the only Black person and am a biracial adoptee to a white family, so...). Shelly, however, was everything for me. She just kinda showed up, loved on Diamond in away that allowed her to believe in tomorrow. It was so simple and effortless, uncomplicated. Two broken young souls, helping each other put the pieces back together.
Least favourite character - I really really really want to hate her mom, but I can't. I get it. And I'm just so sad for her, but I also just wanna give her a big shake and tell her to stop making her baby hitchhike through life.
Favourite scene - Diamond and Shelly sneaking in a swim at work after hours. Everything about that moment was written in a way that felt like a long lost memory, and exercise in hopefullnesss. I didn't want that moment to end, for either girl.
Last impression - Diamond sharing her letters from Lena with her mom and what that meant for her future. And the gift her mom had waiting for her... insert ugly cry.
I would recommend this for anyone likes Summer Sisters, Dumplin' and Lullibies for Little Criminal