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Should be required HS lit reading

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-16-23

Celeste Ng’s research and tribute to American resistance in the face of fear mongering brings a breathtaking and heart wrenching awareness to our nation’s history, present and potential future. It’s grim… only if we allow it. Thank you Celeste for this beautiful and painful testimony.

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Fresh, complex and powerful

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-29-22

I haven’t loved a book like I loved this one in a long time. I imagine part of that is because the timeline reflected my own life… youth college era and now this strange adulting. Im not a huge gamer, but I play enough to have been drawn into the experience. I found myself irritated with anyone who interrupted my listening! Friendship, love and the nuance of human nature. I loved how imperfect both Sadie and Sam are written. Two works in progress from egos and pride to growth and compassion… time can heal so much.

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Resistance and Community

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-07-22

While there’s a lot in this story that painfully illuminates the atrocities on women’s rights happening globally… the power of resistance movements, community and fighting for progress is undeniable. May this work of fiction be the Art that life imitates as we forge ahead.

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As relevant as it is heart-wrenching

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-18-21

In a time where folks in the US are defending the need for critical race theory and teaching a more complete and accurate history of our nation’s founding and coming of age ever since…. this novel drives straight to the heart of western colonization, extraction and extermination of African cultures. The extended chapters that illuminate the voices and private wonderings of each character are so moving, so insightful and passionate. Altho the story is fictional, we have too much information to deny the deep truth within it. As I finish the book this evening, I grieve for all the untold loss… of human lives, of homelands, of languages, music, the rituals. I won’t lie, this book was painful. Yet I’m glad to have “read” it for the belief that opening up to these difficult truths will allow me to tap the depths of humanity. My highest praise to you, Imbolo Mbue and thoughts of love and tenderness as you heal and emerge from the experience of the research and writing of How Beautiful We Were.

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10 people found this helpful

Intense yet so much tenderness

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-17-21

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a book rooted primarily in male characters. I’m so glad I chose to listen… while staying true to the era, the author weaves such meaningful and tender relationships - Bobby and Dodger’s friendship and the makeshift father-son bond between Dodger and Harley. Nothing about it felt forced and their connections didn’t break more traditional gender norms ans yet there was a window into the depth of connection that is possible between men… even when that’s not what we often see. Beautifully written and artfully performed.

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2 people found this helpful

Wanted to feel it…

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-29-21

But it never clicked for me. The concept of long-term friendship and the complexity of being women in America is appealing. But even had way in I just could find it in me to care deeply about the characters. At which point I decided to bail.

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1 person found this helpful

Entertaining but bummed out by Albanian stereotypes

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-21-21

In terms of a crime novel, this story is well written, entertaining and allows for both suspense and hints toward where things may turn. I enjoyed the story.

However, as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who lived in Albania for more than two years in the early 2010s... I’m bummed/disappointed that the author did not give more depth to the Albanian characters. The cold mother-in-law, the evil aunt and all the male characters as gang thugs. Is there organized crime on Albania? Yes. Are there elements of their culture that seem unusual to westerners? Yes. Is it fair to represent an entire nation as cold-hearted and criminal? No. And I’ll even say to do so as a writer is irresponsible. Especially a writer that has clearly done extensive research to infuse Albanian culture, history, food and rituals into the story.

I get it. Crime stories need to have their villains. However as an author from a country (my assumptions here) where they’ve had greater privileges and access to education, employment, opportunity than many Albanians ever will... Im disappointed that another peice of literature is now circling to reinforce the opinion that Albanians are criminals. For 2.5 years I was welcomed, befriended and honored by so many generous, kind, funny, loving and joyful Albanians. The world deserves to hear those stories too.

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1 person found this helpful

A swirling tale of intertwined lives

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-06-21

This book is like none I’ve ever read/listened to before. Not at al chronological but in and out of the past and present. I wouldn’t have thought I could follow it... but it was magical and I did. The characters are so incredibly defined that I could see and sense them in my minds eye. Their dreams, their fears, their flaws and souls.
I’m often a little sad when a book ends I’m not ready to leave these new people and places. Especially a story with so much pain and loss. The God of Small Things ends in such an way that left me feeling forever close to them, but able to say goodbye with peace in my heart. I loved this experience.

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1 person found this helpful

Like nothing I’ve ever read before

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-14-20

The first few chapters were so raw and gruesome, I found it difficult to continue. But i also felt obligated to continue, to listen and reckon with the violent history of white Englishmen (a part of my ancestry) associated with the African slave trade. As the story continued I found myself drawn to Wash and his experiences, the way he perceived the world and put together the pieces of others with little guidance and upbringing is a testament to the capacity of the human spirit, the yearning to understand, to know and to be known. This was a hard novel for me and I also found it deeply compelling. I imagine the learnings and processing of it will continue with me for some time.

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2 people found this helpful

A gift for all who grieve

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-27-19

For anyone who has lost - or is in the process of losing - a loved one, this story is a balm for your heart. In the midst of my own care-giver duties, I turned unwittingly to audible for an escape. This piece was anything but that... and yet it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear at a particularly befuddled time in our process. Ms. Lopez shares so honestly and vividly it was as if she were dropped into my very existence. Of course she wasn’t...rather her story is my story is your story is our story. Even in the depths of our struggles....this is not new or unique. Someone has been here before. And they made it through. So maybe... We will too.

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1 person found this helpful