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A review by jaclyn_sixminutesforme
The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This was such a joy to read - just the right balance of quirkiness, social commentary and poignant reflection to make this a compulsive and unputdownable read for me.
I love stories about sisters and plots that incorporate food writing, so that a major part of this was an “IG-home cook seeking connection turned celebrity chef heralding local ingredients amidst the swirling politics of Brexit-Ireland” was like catnip for me. The sister, orphaned when their parents both died as they were growing up, come together in this for a collective finding of self and each other - relationship breakthroughs, deciding to embark on parenthood, living off the grid, crossing into Northern Ireland and the politics that still drives a voltage of divide at literal borders… there’s just so much in this. It’s unassuming, and a quiet read in its rumbling plot and heavy development of character, but its hands down one of my top reads of 2024.
I love stories about sisters and plots that incorporate food writing, so that a major part of this was an “IG-home cook seeking connection turned celebrity chef heralding local ingredients amidst the swirling politics of Brexit-Ireland” was like catnip for me. The sister, orphaned when their parents both died as they were growing up, come together in this for a collective finding of self and each other - relationship breakthroughs, deciding to embark on parenthood, living off the grid, crossing into Northern Ireland and the politics that still drives a voltage of divide at literal borders… there’s just so much in this. It’s unassuming, and a quiet read in its rumbling plot and heavy development of character, but its hands down one of my top reads of 2024.