A review by margardenlady
The Break by Katherena Vermette

dark emotional sad 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

Heartwrenching story of abuse, woven tightly with a story about the communal strength of women and their love for family. This novel is a complex quilt of life in a neighborhood populated primarily by indigenous families. Narrators of each chapter are identified by name and by  weaving their separate narratives together, we ultimately see the whole story. Lots of triggers: alcoholism, child abuse, abandonment, sexual abuse, discrimination. These are dealt with honestly and without flinching, while deep connections of love and cultural traditions provide a strong base for relationships [although sometimes ignored by the characters].
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