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booksarebrainfood
The Underground Railroad is careful with its optimism, there is a line that says “Cora didn’t know what optimistic meant”.
This book was written in 2016, a particularly important year in modern America concerning the Black Lives Matter movement and when the conversation about continuing institutional injustice was growing roots in our understanding of America’s history. Cora’s life sees some glimmers of hope and freedom, but the overall understanding of this is that a black person in America has to keep running from persecution, there can be no complacency because this can mean death. Having that retrospective look at history gives this book a particular weight, as we know that slavery would soon morph into the Jim Crow laws, the prison-labour complex, discriminative police violence, and disproportional representation of black people in positions of power.
In this way, the ups and downs of Cora’s freedom represent the ups and downs of black history in America, with brief interludes of hope in instances such as the Civil Rights movement, the election of a black president, and growing liberal sentiments, however, it’s important that the momentum symbolised by the railroad keeps going so that America outgrows its violent conception.
This book was written in 2016, a particularly important year in modern America concerning the Black Lives Matter movement and when the conversation about continuing institutional injustice was growing roots in our understanding of America’s history. Cora’s life sees some glimmers of hope and freedom, but the overall understanding of this is that a black person in America has to keep running from persecution, there can be no complacency because this can mean death. Having that retrospective look at history gives this book a particular weight, as we know that slavery would soon morph into the Jim Crow laws, the prison-labour complex, discriminative police violence, and disproportional representation of black people in positions of power.
In this way, the ups and downs of Cora’s freedom represent the ups and downs of black history in America, with brief interludes of hope in instances such as the Civil Rights movement, the election of a black president, and growing liberal sentiments, however, it’s important that the momentum symbolised by the railroad keeps going so that America outgrows its violent conception.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Homophobia, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
Area X acts as a sort of warped Eden, its secrets the poisoned apple, the biologist a tempted Eve figure.
I think this is the kind of book I want to integrate into my reading more often, a fast-paced thriller with philosophical questions about the world we live in. I found it to be really captivating and thought-provoking while also entertaining.
Full review :
https://www.booksarebrainfood.org/home/annihilation-jeff-vandermeer-review-analysis
I think this is the kind of book I want to integrate into my reading more often, a fast-paced thriller with philosophical questions about the world we live in. I found it to be really captivating and thought-provoking while also entertaining.
Full review :
https://www.booksarebrainfood.org/home/annihilation-jeff-vandermeer-review-analysis
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t normally review books on Goodreads but since I enjoyed this so much I wanted to give it a good send off before it goes out into the world!
The troubles with us is a brilliant blend of northern irish history and the life of Alix growing up and going out into the world - being from NI myself I felt a strong connection with her story and also filled a few gaps in my own knowledge about the history of NI and Belfast.
It is accessible, funny, educational, and just so compelling I read it in just over 24 hours - I found the writing well balanced in terms of giving life to the events of NI through the events of Alix’s life and importance is carefully placed.
It never feels overwhelming in its approach to history and I think it would be a great springboard for someone interested in learning a bit more about NI and why the recent events here have been so scary - if you are like me and get your history through anecdotes then this is perfect.
It was also so refreshing to see elements of my own time growing up in a Catholic school in NI and all of the underage drinking and debauchery that came with. Alix’s connection with those around her and her drive to sponge up more of the world were healing to read about, and the story of her mother was deeply touching and an honour to the lives of Irish mammies everywhere , dutiful daughters and silent soldiers that they are.
I just really loved this with my whole heart , I will be pushing it into the hands of my friends and family until Alix writes something else! Very enjoyable.
The troubles with us is a brilliant blend of northern irish history and the life of Alix growing up and going out into the world - being from NI myself I felt a strong connection with her story and also filled a few gaps in my own knowledge about the history of NI and Belfast.
It is accessible, funny, educational, and just so compelling I read it in just over 24 hours - I found the writing well balanced in terms of giving life to the events of NI through the events of Alix’s life and importance is carefully placed.
It never feels overwhelming in its approach to history and I think it would be a great springboard for someone interested in learning a bit more about NI and why the recent events here have been so scary - if you are like me and get your history through anecdotes then this is perfect.
It was also so refreshing to see elements of my own time growing up in a Catholic school in NI and all of the underage drinking and debauchery that came with. Alix’s connection with those around her and her drive to sponge up more of the world were healing to read about, and the story of her mother was deeply touching and an honour to the lives of Irish mammies everywhere , dutiful daughters and silent soldiers that they are.
I just really loved this with my whole heart , I will be pushing it into the hands of my friends and family until Alix writes something else! Very enjoyable.
