"Remember we all have something in common, and that is the water that runs through us."
Each of the stories Christy Lefteri shares are going to stay with me forever, I will carry the tragedies and casual bravery in my heart and will likely never stop recommending her books. This novel is distinctly different from her first novel, which I absolutely adored, but still shares a lot of the themes and messages that I appreciated so much.
As I expected, the character work in this book is masterful. Our two perspectives are unique and distinctive and much can be learned from both of them. They are complex and flawed and have made so many difficult decisions and made mistakes that you cannot help but imagine them as real people. The journey these characters go through is eye-opening in many ways and opens up conversations about grief and loss, fetishization, classism, and racism. This book shows that oftentimes people are forced to do things in more subtle ways than it appears on the outside, but there is a desperation and overwhelming need there nonetheless. These individuals should not be looked down upon or treated differently because of this.
Seeing women that have been "forgotten" by history is one of my favourite tropes to see in books, however, I hate calling it that. These women who have been deemed expendable by society reclaiming their power in small ways gives me unexplained joy in the most bittersweet way.
Technically, the book is well written, paced beautifully and has an interesting structure to keep the reader engaged. I also loved how nature was used in this book as a larger metaphor which is something that I didn't expect and was a unique take. But more than that, this book forces you to empathise with these characters and rips your hearts to shreds in the process. Whilst there may not be happy endings always, there is always something to learn and grow from. And the promise to do better. Common ground can always be found.
People are people at the end of the day, we all have our stories. And to all the women that this book was inspired by, I carry your stories in my heart even if I don't know them entirely.
Rated:4.5 Stars
Each of the stories Christy Lefteri shares are going to stay with me forever, I will carry the tragedies and casual bravery in my heart and will likely never stop recommending her books. This novel is distinctly different from her first novel, which I absolutely adored, but still shares a lot of the themes and messages that I appreciated so much.
As I expected, the character work in this book is masterful. Our two perspectives are unique and distinctive and much can be learned from both of them. They are complex and flawed and have made so many difficult decisions and made mistakes that you cannot help but imagine them as real people. The journey these characters go through is eye-opening in many ways and opens up conversations about grief and loss, fetishization, classism, and racism. This book shows that oftentimes people are forced to do things in more subtle ways than it appears on the outside, but there is a desperation and overwhelming need there nonetheless. These individuals should not be looked down upon or treated differently because of this.
Seeing women that have been "forgotten" by history is one of my favourite tropes to see in books, however, I hate calling it that. These women who have been deemed expendable by society reclaiming their power in small ways gives me unexplained joy in the most bittersweet way.
Technically, the book is well written, paced beautifully and has an interesting structure to keep the reader engaged. I also loved how nature was used in this book as a larger metaphor which is something that I didn't expect and was a unique take. But more than that, this book forces you to empathise with these characters and rips your hearts to shreds in the process. Whilst there may not be happy endings always, there is always something to learn and grow from. And the promise to do better. Common ground can always be found.
People are people at the end of the day, we all have our stories. And to all the women that this book was inspired by, I carry your stories in my heart even if I don't know them entirely.
Rated:4.5 Stars