Three stars for literary qualities, four stars for FUN!

Being a happy and motivated teacher, this novel has a special meaning to me. I wish every child on earth a decent and rich education. Thank you, Mrs Westover!!

Too much repetition of boring details, round/dynamic characters (but the way in which they are described just made me yawn), cliché literary techniques ... And most importantly: no story, while a strong plot is, according to me, the very essence of fiction.

A compelling family saga, a sublime and important epic!! And so much more!
Reading this novel felt like travelling. To Uganda. Where the 21th century characters try to come to terms with their colononial past, the independence and the violence that came with this. And how can they reconcile the deeply rooted belief in an ancestor's curse and the western explanations for the mental and other disasters that chase Kintu Kidda's offspring?

Heartbreakingly moving. Two boys growing up, learning about love and friendship.

On top of my summer stack! Just looking at it makes me happy 😃😎

My next one waiting for me ... very promising start!

The Friendly Ones ... Who are they? In Pakistan they are the bad guys. Definitely. What happened there in 1971 made my blood run cold. In England they are the type of neighbours who don't mind the spicy odours that come from the kitchen of the Bengali family next door. Hensher wrote a psychological novel, Dickensian style. A slow but compelling read about two dysfunctional/traumatized families. But he also wrote a historical novel. A masterpiece!!

By telling het daughter Paula's story Allende changed my life. I was only 25 years old at the time I was reading it. It was a difficult time in my life and I had been pitying myself (too much). Reading along I realized life was a gift. And that it was up to me: to be or not to be? I went for "to be". I took up my studies and moved on. And today I still feel Allende's power. The power of her storytelling, which feels like the power of life itself.

One of my favourite authors, but this novel is incredibly boring. The story drags itself along, the characters are superficial. What a pity, since this novel's theme is a very relevant one ...

My favourite novel by my favourite author. Coe's characters are interesting people who represent the society they live in perfectly well, no matter whether they are well regarded members, outcasts or anarchists.

While reading Harris' trilogy I fell in love with Cicero. He accompagnied me everywhere I went for a long time. I miss him very much ...

Lahiri pulls you into her characters' life and culture like no other!

Compelling story ...

A real treat if you like a good story with characters who are dynamic and worked out in depth.