![]() RATING: 5/5 GENRE: British, Fiction, THEMES: Death, Loss, Persevering Fiona Williams' "The House of Broken Bricks" intricately weaves together the narratives of Tess, Richard, Max, and Sunny, providing readers with a poignant exploration of race, family dynamics, loss, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of a blended family, Williams delves deep into the complexities of identity and belonging. At the heart of the novel is the discourse surrounding race within the family unit. Tess, a black woman, grapples with raising her twin children, Max and Sunny, who navigate their mixed heritage in contrasting ways. Through their alternating perspectives, Williams skillfully unravels the intricacies of racial identity, shedding light on the challenges and nuances faced by each family member. The beauty of Williams' prose lies in its ability to evoke powerful imagery and capture raw emotions. Scenes are painted with vivid detail, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the crumbling yet resilient landscape of the family home. Williams masterfully incorporates poignant quotes and authentic feelings, eliciting both empathy and introspection from her audience. Despite the weighty themes of racism and loss, "The House of Broken Bricks" is ultimately a story of hope and healing. As the seasons change and cracks in the family's facade begin to let in light, there is a palpable sense of renewal and growth. Through acceptance and vulnerability, the characters embark on a journey towards reconciliation and self-discovery. In conclusion, "The House of Broken Bricks" is a beautifully written and heart-wrenching novel that leaves a lasting impact on its readers. Fiona Williams' adept storytelling and profound exploration of family dynamics make this a compelling read. I eagerly anticipate delving into more of Williams' works in the future. *** I received this book as a gift from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
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![]() GENRE: Historical Fiction, Magic Realism RATING: 5/5 We’re they Greeks? Turks? They were islanders… like us. I think this may have dethroned “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry as my favourite book of 2022; and with end of the year looming, I can say that with confidence. I approached this book with uncertainty and caution. There is a 400 dark history between Greeks and Turks. Formerly the Ottoman Empire, occupying and enslaving the Greeks, and its history is still felt to this day, especially on the island of Cyprus. Whenever I read something from Turkish creators, often times it is portrayed in a way that lies about the history, or glorifies what was done to Greece… I was so surprised and happy to read how Elif Shafak addressed the conflict, the people and the island itself; never really blaming one side of the other, but rather focusing on what unites the people. It is an idea that I have often held to heart of people not being their governments. The Turkish people are not their government or the choices that government has made. We are similar peoples, with shared traditions, shared foods, desserts, etc. and this story very much reflected the people themselves within a tremendous and sad conflict. The story had so many layers to it that it is hard to break it down. I loved the stories of love and perseverance. Whether is be the love between Yussef and Giorgio; Defne and Kostas or the love of a Ficus carica (a fig tree). I loved the narration, either from the perspective of young Ada Kazantzakis or the Fig Tree herself. I loved how history was intertwined within the story. I loved how nature was alive and played an active roll in their lives; moving the story along in ways one might not have ever thought… Elif Shafak is an exceptional writer and story teller. ***Some Spoilers Below*** Not only that, but the story itself felt so deeply personal to me. There were so many details that I related to, although I doubt Shafak meant those things to be… like Kostas’ mother (Ada’s Grandmother) being named Panaghiota, how tough and resilient the woman was, and how she too, like my own grandmother Panaghiota, died of cancer… How she stayed tough til the very end, and not wanting to let those around her even know she had cancer… I miss my giagia so much, and this story, so similar to her own, left me feeling touched. Obviously, Shafak did not write this FOR me and my grandmother, she does not know us and probably never will; but it does feel like the universe almost gave me this. A small gift, just for me. ***End of Spoilers*** The Island of Missing Trees, left me with so many memorable quotes, and so many feelings, I am writing out this review and all I want to do is sit with these feelings. Someday this pain will be useful to you. I am in awe of this book, this story. If you are looking for a story to move you, this is a great choice. NOTE: This novel took me quite a long time to get through, it is a very slow read, and at times I found myself not quite understanding WHY there were certain details and at times found myself to be a little bored… Understand that there is a reason for this, and I promise it all makes sense in the end. ![]() GENRE: Contemporary, French, Moody RATING: 3/5 So this book is the shortest novel, that has taken me the longest to read ever. This should have been an afternoon but I couldn’t get through it. It was so hard to read. Growing up in Quebec, the education system here has always been super forced and intolerant. So when I started reading this, it really reminded me of those books. The dialogue isn’t clear, and the progression of the store is anything but linear. It explores many themes, like familial drama, growing up, trauma, relationships, which is not the vibe I was looking for, but that is my fault. Like the novel is called “ I Think My Pain Interests You” - what did I expect? Although… I thought it was going to be a sad breakup book but again, I sometime pick up books without reading the synopsis because I liked to be surprised. This book is objectively good. Like I know it is. I know the style is good, and it is imaginative and interesting. I know not all stories need to be told in linear ways. I know dialogue doesn’t need to be completed. I know that this is a good novel. I just did not like it. |
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