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I put a hold on this on my Libby app on a whim, and wow... What a decision.
I love historical fiction. It is probably one of my favourite genres, but this story of a country I know very little about during a time in the UK I very much understand (even if I wasn't born) really hooked me.
Neema Shah's talent is on every page. From the way she writes from multiple characters POV to the colour of the food on the plates, to the desperate pain a whole race were experiencing - I felt every word in my bones.
Asha could be one of my favourite characters I've discovered this year. Strong willed and in love but not so much that she doesn't know and believe in herself.. And Jaya, the mother in law who you might tire of but just sees the light in people. Two fantastic women of fiction.
I love historical fiction. It is probably one of my favourite genres, but this story of a country I know very little about during a time in the UK I very much understand (even if I wasn't born) really hooked me.
Neema Shah's talent is on every page. From the way she writes from multiple characters POV to the colour of the food on the plates, to the desperate pain a whole race were experiencing - I felt every word in my bones.
Asha could be one of my favourite characters I've discovered this year. Strong willed and in love but not so much that she doesn't know and believe in herself.. And Jaya, the mother in law who you might tire of but just sees the light in people. Two fantastic women of fiction.
Part memoir, part reflection on the institutionalised racism of the police force, Lee Lawrence takes us through not only the story of what happened to his mother, but his fight for justice following her death.
It is a fight for justice, but also about giving his mother the opportunity to have a real day in court even after her death. The fact she was mistakenly shot by police looking for someone else draws such parallels with Breonna Taylor in the US. The fact that the Met say their police practice has changed since 1985 isn't a huge comfort I'm sure to Black families who know the risk to their life remains higher than their white neighbours.
Yes there are clear issues which remain in the police force (and of course wider society) but Lee Lawrence isn't trying to tear down the institution. The key point of his fight was accountability. Making someone take responsibility for the actions which left his mum paralysed, and then killed her. Yes, it is easy to say ACAB.. But it is harder to stand up against the police and fight when you know they are wrong and come away with justice. Absolutely outstanding.
It is a fight for justice, but also about giving his mother the opportunity to have a real day in court even after her death. The fact she was mistakenly shot by police looking for someone else draws such parallels with Breonna Taylor in the US. The fact that the Met say their police practice has changed since 1985 isn't a huge comfort I'm sure to Black families who know the risk to their life remains higher than their white neighbours.
Yes there are clear issues which remain in the police force (and of course wider society) but Lee Lawrence isn't trying to tear down the institution. The key point of his fight was accountability. Making someone take responsibility for the actions which left his mum paralysed, and then killed her. Yes, it is easy to say ACAB.. But it is harder to stand up against the police and fight when you know they are wrong and come away with justice. Absolutely outstanding.
