Book Review SONS OF IRIE Asha Ashanti Bromfield
Thank you to the author Asha Ashanti Bromfield, publishers Wednesday Books and #SMPInfluencers, for an advance hardback copy of SONGS OF IRIE. Thank you also to Scrib'd, now Everand for books, for an accomanying audibook. All views are mine.
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. I love the chant competition scenes with the singing, which on the audiobook, are sung by the author. It adds a really interesting depth to the medium.
2. I love the Rasta element, love the opportunity to learn more about this culture.
3. I really enjoy stories about empowered and activist teenagers, they feel optimistic to me, even when they deal with challenging subject matter. SONGS OF IRIE is like this.
4. I love stories that center and empower black communities: Black bodies fill every corner of the space, the energy grimy and raw as they move in time to the dancehall beat. p199
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. I think it's interesting that the book shows how strong the family ties are in Irie's family, which is something that anchors her. Both in a good way, keeping her feet on the ground, and a bad way, as the book depicts clear patriarchal abuses in the home, which keep Irie from striving for her goals.
2. I loved so much about this book, but I just didn't love the shape of the plot. It was layered but not nuanced, and I struggled at points to see how the different moving points connected to each other.
3. In the story of sapphic love, the story of great friendship shines through: "I love you so much Jilly," I whisper again. "Thank you for being there for me tonight. Having you as a friend it's...it's really changed my life. And I'm so, so grateful." p218
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. I love the chant competition scenes with the singing, which on the audiobook, are sung by the author. It adds a really interesting depth to the medium.
2. I love the Rasta element, love the opportunity to learn more about this culture.
3. I really enjoy stories about empowered and activist teenagers, they feel optimistic to me, even when they deal with challenging subject matter. SONGS OF IRIE is like this.
4. I love stories that center and empower black communities: Black bodies fill every corner of the space, the energy grimy and raw as they move in time to the dancehall beat. p199
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. I think it's interesting that the book shows how strong the family ties are in Irie's family, which is something that anchors her. Both in a good way, keeping her feet on the ground, and a bad way, as the book depicts clear patriarchal abuses in the home, which keep Irie from striving for her goals.
2. I loved so much about this book, but I just didn't love the shape of the plot. It was layered but not nuanced, and I struggled at points to see how the different moving points connected to each other.
3. In the story of sapphic love, the story of great friendship shines through: "I love you so much Jilly," I whisper again. "Thank you for being there for me tonight. Having you as a friend it's...it's really changed my life. And I'm so, so grateful." p218
Rating: πΆπ΅πΆπ΅ / 5 freedom songs
Recommend? Yes
Finished: Nov 11 23
Format: Gifted hardback, audiobook, Everand
Read this book if you like:
π©πΎ❤️ππ©πΏ forbidden sapphic romance
π¨π©π§π¦ family stories, family drama
ππ½ teenage girl friendships
π♀️ girl's coming of age
π£ singing, music
⚔️ stories about revolution
π class disparity
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