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A review by readingwithkt
Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"It was less about being chosen and more about their agency in allowing themselves to love and be loved" - Bolu Babalola.
This was a really enjoyable listen which I savored over the course of 6+ weeks. I've been wanting to read it since its release and thought it would be a good one to read alongside my partner who enjoys myths etc., but I got too impatient and ended up buying the audiobook. Maybe I'll revisit it together with him when the paperback comes out.
I love the centering of women in these tales. As a woman myself, I find a lot of the original myths really difficult reading and so I tend to stay away from them. Here, Bolu Babalola reframes classic tales with a feminist gaze. Maybe it's cliche, maybe it's been said before, but I felt understood in a very pure and wholesome way by some of the stories in this collection. Sometimes I even saw parts of myself in the characters, and other times it felt like I was listening to a friend recount their experiences.
My favourite story was Scheherazade (one that I'm certain I'll relisten to), but I enjoyed so many of the others.
Overall, this is a hopeful and varied collection that I'd really recommend. The audiobook narration made for lovely listening in my ears.
I can't comment on all content warnings as I read this over such a long period of time and I'm certain I've forgotten some - but I hope other readers have picked up what my memory has forgotten.
This was a really enjoyable listen which I savored over the course of 6+ weeks. I've been wanting to read it since its release and thought it would be a good one to read alongside my partner who enjoys myths etc., but I got too impatient and ended up buying the audiobook. Maybe I'll revisit it together with him when the paperback comes out.
I love the centering of women in these tales. As a woman myself, I find a lot of the original myths really difficult reading and so I tend to stay away from them. Here, Bolu Babalola reframes classic tales with a feminist gaze. Maybe it's cliche, maybe it's been said before, but I felt understood in a very pure and wholesome way by some of the stories in this collection. Sometimes I even saw parts of myself in the characters, and other times it felt like I was listening to a friend recount their experiences.
My favourite story was Scheherazade (one that I'm certain I'll relisten to), but I enjoyed so many of the others.
Overall, this is a hopeful and varied collection that I'd really recommend. The audiobook narration made for lovely listening in my ears.
I can't comment on all content warnings as I read this over such a long period of time and I'm certain I've forgotten some - but I hope other readers have picked up what my memory has forgotten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Car accident