laurenleyendolibros 's review for:

Hold by Michael Donkor

2.0

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Hold did sound good: Belinda a diligent housegirl from Ghana goes to live with friends of her employers in London as they think she’ll be a good influence on their daughter, Amma. They offer her an education in return, but Belinda struggles to adapt and become friends with Amma. However, the secrets of both girls are eventually revealed… 

It sounds interesting but unfortunately it’s really quite boring. There was a lot of potential for a good story but it didn’t hold my interest and it took me much longer than I expected to read. The part about the girls’ secrets is quite anti-climactic. I don’t know what I was expecting but I thought: is that all? (That’s not to say the issues are small to the people who deal with them, or insignificant in Ghanian culture, but in the context of the book I wanted something more.) 

Also, the ending dragged on for a long time. This is a pet-hate of mine, the ‘final event’ happens then takes a long time to end – if you know what I mean. Ultimately, I was confused by the very end of the book and I wasn’t sure what it all meant, which pulled my rating down a little more. 

There will be people who like this book but it’s not one I would recommend. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend another book set in Ghana as I can’t say I’ve read one… have you? (I have Homegoing on my TBR!)