This novel by Bernardine Evaristo (Hamish Hamilton, 2019) is big but surprisingly light to read.
Its big size is because of many characters, mostly non-Caucasian women and their life histories in it and the style of writing.
While recounting their life's journey, these women comment upon every current, burning issue: racism, immigration, gender and feminism (now outdated). They narrate how they have overcome extreme odds in their lives.
The style of writing is elaborate with long sentences with minimum punctuation. A sentence typically extends to two or three lines and is then followed by a word or two on the following two or three lines. Small sections galore. A chapter is devoted to each woman. Trajectories of these women are connected.
It is a riveting, baffling, extremely clever book with a sweeping reach. It helps one to get a better connection with the world around.
Its big size is because of many characters, mostly non-Caucasian women and their life histories in it and the style of writing.
While recounting their life's journey, these women comment upon every current, burning issue: racism, immigration, gender and feminism (now outdated). They narrate how they have overcome extreme odds in their lives.
The style of writing is elaborate with long sentences with minimum punctuation. A sentence typically extends to two or three lines and is then followed by a word or two on the following two or three lines. Small sections galore. A chapter is devoted to each woman. Trajectories of these women are connected.
It is a riveting, baffling, extremely clever book with a sweeping reach. It helps one to get a better connection with the world around.
