A review by litgirlliv
Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks

reflective medium-paced

3.5

I love the idea of a novel that advances the reparations movement, but I don’t think this will be the novel that catalyzes change. First, only the latter half of the book appears meaningfully dedicated to reparations. Second, and relatedly, it misses numerous opportunities to inspire vision and reflection. What is the case for reparations? How does the movement gain traction? What are the results? This book likely would have benefited from an editor who more familiar with the reparations movement and better positioned to refine a vision for reparations. A stronger editor would have also pruned the meandering subplots that do not further the book’s thesis or resolve. That said, the writing still is lovely and engaging.