Scan barcode
A review by clarereadstheworld
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This is definitely a Bookstagram made me do it read, and wow did it blow me away. For a debut novel, Cherie Jones writes beautifully. The characters are of vivid and real, and their story is so moving.
It all takes place on Baxter's Beach in Barbados. Two women, Lala and Mira, both suffer unimaginable losses within a couple of weeks of each other. Although they come from very different worlds, and move in very different circles, their fates are set on a collision course.
The narrative changes to a different character each chapter, and plays around with 2nd and 3rd person narrative voice, and different narrative styles, which I really enjoyed. I also loved how characters which at first appeared to be secondary were given a back story, and we got to know them better.
Not an easy read, and this book definitely covers some difficult topics, but these subjects are very well dealt with. I was not surprised to learn that Cherie Jones herself had experienced some on what Lala went through. Her writing felt very genuine.
It all takes place on Baxter's Beach in Barbados. Two women, Lala and Mira, both suffer unimaginable losses within a couple of weeks of each other. Although they come from very different worlds, and move in very different circles, their fates are set on a collision course.
The narrative changes to a different character each chapter, and plays around with 2nd and 3rd person narrative voice, and different narrative styles, which I really enjoyed. I also loved how characters which at first appeared to be secondary were given a back story, and we got to know them better.
Not an easy read, and this book definitely covers some difficult topics, but these subjects are very well dealt with. I was not surprised to learn that Cherie Jones herself had experienced some on what Lala went through. Her writing felt very genuine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Grief, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Child death