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The Handsworth Times
Mukesh Agarwal sits alone in the Black Eagle pub, unaware that a riot is brewing or that Billy, his youngest son, is still out on his bike ...A mile away in the family home in Church Street, Anila, one of the three Agarwal girls, is reading Smash Hits and listening to Radio One as she sprawls across the bottom bunk, oblivious to the monumental tragedy that is about to hit her family ...
It is 1981 and Handsworth is teetering on the brink of collapse. Factories are closing, unemployment is high, the National Front are marching and the neglected inner cities are ablaze as riots breakout across Thatcher's fractured Britain. The Agarwals are facing their own nightmares but family, pop music, protest, unexpected friendships and a community that refuses to disappear all contribute to easing their personal pain, and that of Handsworth itself.
THE HANDSWORTH TIMES is a story of loss and transition, and pulling together because ultimately, there is such a thing as society.
It is 1981 and Handsworth is teetering on the brink of collapse. Factories are closing, unemployment is high, the National Front are marching and the neglected inner cities are ablaze as riots breakout across Thatcher's fractured Britain. The Agarwals are facing their own nightmares but family, pop music, protest, unexpected friendships and a community that refuses to disappear all contribute to easing their personal pain, and that of Handsworth itself.
THE HANDSWORTH TIMES is a story of loss and transition, and pulling together because ultimately, there is such a thing as society.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2016
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About the author
Sharon Duggal
5 books44 followersSharon Duggal's debut novel, The Handsworth Times was The Morning Star's 'Fiction Book of the Year 2016' and Brighton City Reads 2017. Her short stories appear in anthologies and her second novel, Should We Fall Behind, came out in Oct 2020 to critical acclaim.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 29, 2016
The Handsworth Times is a raw and emotional read that draws you in from the very first page. Set in the early 80's, we are taken back in time to when there where no smartphones, internet and when people relied upon their local community and newspapers to find out the local gossip and news stories of the day. I loved this book for its nostalgia, lyrical storytelling but ultimately because at its heart was the story of a family learning to live with loss and prejudice.
The story opens with the father and head of the household, Mukesh Agarwal, sitting alone in a pub in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. He appears to be a lonely man, sat alone with just his thoughts and as the story progressed, my sorrow for him grew. It is while he is sat in the Black Eagle pub, that the riot begins and which ultimately leads to a tragedy within the family.
Although set in the 80's, this book could very well be set in modern day Britain. The issues that surround migrants, post Brexit and how we are now a nation that both embraces and fights against ethnic diversity, could be transferred so easily into this book. The problems within society have not changed, they have just been given different labels.
So the Agarwal family live in the Handsworth area of Birmingham that is home to many different cultures and belief systems, and it is because of the tragedy that the family endures, that these different cultures come together, in a way that would not have been possible before. This is a book about community, about how a community can divide itself because of its different belief systems, race, culture etc., but that at the end of the day, when a tragedy occurs and that particular community is on the brink of collapse, the only way to fight and to stand up for what you believe in is to stand together.
This book is full of wonderfully captured characters. The mother, who keeps the home together is a strong and independent woman who finds her inner strength when those around her lose their focus and love of life. She was by far my favourite character. However, I also thought that all of the children in the book had their own distinct voice and story to tell. Together through all of the various different storylines that run throughout the book, we get a glimpse into a life that was dominated by prejudice, social insecurity and poverty. On paper, you would think that this would mean that the book was somehow despondent and a tale of how life used to be for those who where less well off - living hand to mouth, but this is not the case.
Handsworth Times is an uplifting book about the importance of family, friendships and community. Above all else, this book makes you think about what you value most in life - and the answer should always be that of family.
The story opens with the father and head of the household, Mukesh Agarwal, sitting alone in a pub in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. He appears to be a lonely man, sat alone with just his thoughts and as the story progressed, my sorrow for him grew. It is while he is sat in the Black Eagle pub, that the riot begins and which ultimately leads to a tragedy within the family.
Although set in the 80's, this book could very well be set in modern day Britain. The issues that surround migrants, post Brexit and how we are now a nation that both embraces and fights against ethnic diversity, could be transferred so easily into this book. The problems within society have not changed, they have just been given different labels.
So the Agarwal family live in the Handsworth area of Birmingham that is home to many different cultures and belief systems, and it is because of the tragedy that the family endures, that these different cultures come together, in a way that would not have been possible before. This is a book about community, about how a community can divide itself because of its different belief systems, race, culture etc., but that at the end of the day, when a tragedy occurs and that particular community is on the brink of collapse, the only way to fight and to stand up for what you believe in is to stand together.
This book is full of wonderfully captured characters. The mother, who keeps the home together is a strong and independent woman who finds her inner strength when those around her lose their focus and love of life. She was by far my favourite character. However, I also thought that all of the children in the book had their own distinct voice and story to tell. Together through all of the various different storylines that run throughout the book, we get a glimpse into a life that was dominated by prejudice, social insecurity and poverty. On paper, you would think that this would mean that the book was somehow despondent and a tale of how life used to be for those who where less well off - living hand to mouth, but this is not the case.
Handsworth Times is an uplifting book about the importance of family, friendships and community. Above all else, this book makes you think about what you value most in life - and the answer should always be that of family.
October 25, 2016
The relationships entwined within this gem of a book are so delicately beautiful that The Handsworth Times becomes a truly sublime read. First there are the obvious relationships between the family members, but in a way the genuinely lovely bond that Usha and her neighbour Brenda share throughout the book is probably what shines through for me.
Set eponymously in Handsworth in 1981, the unrest of the country as a whole is juxtaposed with the chaos that descends in the Agarwal household. The results of the riot are brought into the Agarwal home and the devastation it creates is achingly poignant. The way the family learns to cope and deal with this is of course different for each person, but then each coping mechanism has its own knock-on effect.
I don't want to gloss over the history running through the book, but neither can I claim to be any sort of expert in the political history of Britain. The knowledge I do possess I'm sure has all been learnt as I've gotten (rapidly!) older, considering I wasn't quite into double figures yet, and I was probably more concerned with how many sweets I could buy with my 10p pocket money and playing outside on my bike. As a result I found the whole social history aspect really interesting to read, and I loved the musical references scattered throughout.
However it was, as I initially touched upon, the relationships that made this book for me. It's not the differences between the community of Handsworth that stand out, instead it's the similarities that unite them all. It's hard to say too much without spoiling the plot, but the inner battles each of the Agarwal's faces are realistic and at times heartbreaking. This isn't a book of sadness though, there are very painful moments yes, but there is also a heap of happiness and laughter too.
I so enjoyed reading this book, the writing is as joyous as the story itself. Totally recommended.
Set eponymously in Handsworth in 1981, the unrest of the country as a whole is juxtaposed with the chaos that descends in the Agarwal household. The results of the riot are brought into the Agarwal home and the devastation it creates is achingly poignant. The way the family learns to cope and deal with this is of course different for each person, but then each coping mechanism has its own knock-on effect.
I don't want to gloss over the history running through the book, but neither can I claim to be any sort of expert in the political history of Britain. The knowledge I do possess I'm sure has all been learnt as I've gotten (rapidly!) older, considering I wasn't quite into double figures yet, and I was probably more concerned with how many sweets I could buy with my 10p pocket money and playing outside on my bike. As a result I found the whole social history aspect really interesting to read, and I loved the musical references scattered throughout.
However it was, as I initially touched upon, the relationships that made this book for me. It's not the differences between the community of Handsworth that stand out, instead it's the similarities that unite them all. It's hard to say too much without spoiling the plot, but the inner battles each of the Agarwal's faces are realistic and at times heartbreaking. This isn't a book of sadness though, there are very painful moments yes, but there is also a heap of happiness and laughter too.
I so enjoyed reading this book, the writing is as joyous as the story itself. Totally recommended.
Read
February 7, 2017Slice of life in Thatcher's Britain. An Indian family deals with tragedy big and small, unemployment, assimilation, racism, and a lot of other stuff, to the backdrop of the 80s anti fascist riots and the misery of those years in deprived communities. Sounds gloomy, kind of is--a lot of bad stuff happens--and there isn't a big overarching plot with meaning or fulfilling character arcs. It is very much just a depiction of people getting on with living, and as such it's thoroughly compelling in a fly on the wall way. And, I thought, ultimately uplifting in that the sisters and mother refuse to be crushed in the end: they get knocked down but, sooner or later, with the help of family or community, they get up again.
What is depressing is how much it reminds you how unspeakable the Thatcher govt was. Shudder. Unusual read, glad I picked this up.
What is depressing is how much it reminds you how unspeakable the Thatcher govt was. Shudder. Unusual read, glad I picked this up.
did-not-finish
June 30, 2017I was really rooting for this one, but at the 35% mark it just wasn't holding my interest enough to continue. Neither the characterization nor the writing was quite good enough to keep me going.
October 22, 2016
This book is based in the 1980's during Thatchers Britain, there are riots and the National Front is marching, communities are having hard times. The family in this book is faced with a massive tragedy and each member struggles to come to terms with their grief in different ways. They feel marginalised by society because of their race and have no real expectations of a future, yet what shines through is how, in the story, as the society come together a better future seems to be on the horizon. Although the main theme of the book is quite sad, the story has funny moments and finishes on a positive note. I enjoyed reading this very much.
Many thanks to @theasianwriter for my copy of the book.
Many thanks to @theasianwriter for my copy of the book.
October 29, 2018
A vital and necessary account of one family's disintegration and recovery after one of them, Billy, is killed during the Handsworth 'riot' of 1981. Mukesh, the father slips into alcoholism and depression; Usha, the mother, becomes involved in the local community and is instrumental in progressing youth projects, including transforming a wasteland into a play area. Meanwhile one of the daughters gets involved in the more political Handsworth Youth Movement and goes on marches etc., while another suffers at college because of her sexuality. I got very involved in the various plots and movement towards resolution, particularly as I moved to Birmingham (UK) in 1982, and lived nearby and know many of the streets and areas depicted. The era - the music, newspapers, TV shows - is also very well evoked. I think though there was too much telling and not enough showing, and much repetition/redundancy: I think there was a much slimmer, fitter novel trying to get out.
May 27, 2020
I heard about this book a few years ago when Mercedes read it and have been wanting to own a copy since. I finally read it for the Asian Readathon this month and am so happy to have gotten to it. From the very first page I was invested in the Agarwal family; each family member had distinct personalities and roles to play in the story and through them I learnt about the experience of Indian families in Birmingham in the 1980s.
I grew up in a working class area of Manchester in the early 1990s and there were aspects of my childhood surroundings in this story, giving me a strange sense of nostalgia despite having such vastly different experiences to everyone in the book.
Each characters' story line is heartbreaking but throughout the book I was heartened to see that they were slowly helping to mend each other, slowly revealing each others' secrets and getting to know each other better through their shared tragedy.
5 out of 5 stars!
I grew up in a working class area of Manchester in the early 1990s and there were aspects of my childhood surroundings in this story, giving me a strange sense of nostalgia despite having such vastly different experiences to everyone in the book.
Each characters' story line is heartbreaking but throughout the book I was heartened to see that they were slowly helping to mend each other, slowly revealing each others' secrets and getting to know each other better through their shared tragedy.
5 out of 5 stars!
July 16, 2017
The Handsworth Times is the highly evocative story of an Indian family in Handsworth, Birmingham in the early eighties. At the time the factories were closing, unemployment was high and civil unrest was brewing. Racism was institutional - the sus law meant that nearly every other black and Asian youth had been stopped and searched for no reason. The National Front were marching and riots were inevitable. This is the backdrop to the Agarwal's life.
If that all sounds a bit bleak and depressing, think again. There is still humour to be had in this tale of working class life. Yes, it's about grief and conflict, but it's also about family and friendship - and a strong multicultural sense of community.
The characters are well-drawn and thoroughly believable - particularly the three sisters. I imagine that much of their dialogue is drawn from real life. The differences between the generations are especially realistic.
A totally enjoyable and interesting read from a talented new author.
If that all sounds a bit bleak and depressing, think again. There is still humour to be had in this tale of working class life. Yes, it's about grief and conflict, but it's also about family and friendship - and a strong multicultural sense of community.
The characters are well-drawn and thoroughly believable - particularly the three sisters. I imagine that much of their dialogue is drawn from real life. The differences between the generations are especially realistic.
A totally enjoyable and interesting read from a talented new author.
August 9, 2020
Absolutely loved this book and breezed through it in a day and a half, completely engrossed in it the whole time. Set in Birmingham in 1981, during Thatcher's reign of evil, with inner city riots and NF marches going on. It is the story of a working class Indian family, beset by an awful tragedy, and of how they cope (or don't cope), with loss, trauma, unemployment, racism, class and ultimately it is a story about community. The characters are just wonderful, and all totally believable and real. The writing is sublime, and written with such a deftness of touch, and such sympathy for the characters. There are a lot of parallels with what was happening in 1981 in this book, and with what is happening in society today. Another absolute winner from Bluemoose Publishing, who just never let me down. Am looking forward to the author's next book excitedly (out in a couple of months).
March 17, 2017
The book follows the story of an Indian family in the early 80s in Handsworth, Birmingham, through riots, unemployment, general dissatisfaction and lack of prospects... The first half of the book was quite slow to read, I had to make an effort to go on. However, things start to improve in the second half, for the main characters, but also in the style... many scenes are written like a theatre play, with Usha cleaning the kitchen and the various family members entering the room and having a short conversation with her. This scheme repeats itself several times, with slight differences that follow the evolution of their mood and lead to the resolution of the story. I really liked this idea. Overall an interesting read, and interesting topic nowadays.
February 5, 2017
All in all, this is a very interesting and authentic account of a working class Asian family living in inner city Birmingham in the early 1980s. Some strong female roles are evident throughout - namely the mother Usha with her obsessive house cleaning that has a Lady Macbeth quality to it, namely in terms of her trying to blot out a family tragedy. She is later shown becoming empowered as she helps to organise a residents' group seeking to transform a derelict area into a communal amenity. One of the daughters is also involved in an anti-Fascist group.
Structurally, "The Handsworth Times" is a loose assemblage, in the manner of say Pat Barker's "Union Street", where the subject of each chapter shifts as we progress throughout the novel. The paterfamilias Mukesh is shown to be a feckless character who is suffering from feelings of guilt engendered by two deaths which he feels were his responsibility. One of the daughters experiences an "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" moment which I felt could have been explored in much more detail. The villain of the piece - Kash - is somewhat one-dimensional in nature, as is his foil - the love interest, and all round good guy Marcus. One episode featuring Mukesh hanging from his bedroom window in his underwear has a whiff of a "Carry On" film about it!
The area of Lozells and its environs is well evoked. Having written about the same location myself the only thing I would mention is that one of the pub names is incorrect - it is called the Bartons Arms not the Barton Arms.
To conclude, then, a book worth investigating.
Structurally, "The Handsworth Times" is a loose assemblage, in the manner of say Pat Barker's "Union Street", where the subject of each chapter shifts as we progress throughout the novel. The paterfamilias Mukesh is shown to be a feckless character who is suffering from feelings of guilt engendered by two deaths which he feels were his responsibility. One of the daughters experiences an "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" moment which I felt could have been explored in much more detail. The villain of the piece - Kash - is somewhat one-dimensional in nature, as is his foil - the love interest, and all round good guy Marcus. One episode featuring Mukesh hanging from his bedroom window in his underwear has a whiff of a "Carry On" film about it!
The area of Lozells and its environs is well evoked. Having written about the same location myself the only thing I would mention is that one of the pub names is incorrect - it is called the Bartons Arms not the Barton Arms.
To conclude, then, a book worth investigating.
February 2, 2017
Brilliant. Beautifully written. Powerful narrative tale of a family of Indian extraction trying to make a success of life in Handsworth against the political and social challenges of the 1980s. A must-read.
December 12, 2021
Set in a very specific place and time (Handsworth, Birmingham, in 1981, with poverty and unrest spilling out onto the streets), The Handsworth Times is a beautifully observed snapshot of an Indian family, The Agarwals, who struggle to cope with a tragedy. It's a story about relationships, fractured lives and being trapped by circumstance. As in her other novels, Duggal includes an honest, beautiful friendship, in this case between Usha, the mother of the family, and her white neighbour Brenda, who simply refuses to allow her not to be there for her.
May 7, 2017
Enjoyable read about an Indian family in the 70s in Handsworth, struggling with a family tragedy in the context of Thatchers Britain, and the NF marching through Birmingham. It has a good sense of time and place, and engaging characters. I found the writing a little clunky at points, and felt that too many things happened to this one family - but perhaps that isn't unrealistic. I wanted it to continue, and know more about how everyone's lives developed - which is always a good sign.
May 16, 2017
Pretty boring, characters not particularly sympathetic. Very biased, suggests that only the black community suffered at that time. I am from Coventry and all of my uncles, then in their 50's were all made redundant after working in the car factories all of their lives, and were unable to get new jobs.
Would not bother to read one of her books again
Would not bother to read one of her books again
December 13, 2020
What a fantastic book. I bought it after loving Sharon's new book, Should We Fall Behind, which I also highly recommend. She draws you into the characters' lives with such ease, making you care about what happens to them long after you've finished the book. Such a fantastic writer - I'm now a big fan and will always look out for her new books.
February 15, 2017
Follows the lives of an Indian- British family who live in Birmingham in the seventies when there are riots going on. There is a family tragedy. We follow the siblings and parents through their lives for about a year. I was ultimately disappointed, as not much happened.
June 7, 2017
The theme of the novel is extremely interesting and relevant now. I appreciated the author's intention to shine a light on life in Birmingham in the early 80s and to witness the successes, troubles and tensions of an Asian family.
June 23, 2020
Beautifully written account of political community history in Brum
Evocative family snapshots of life in 1980s Handsworth from the perspectives of different family members. Weaves together migration, racism, trauma and resilience, gender, class and community .
Evocative family snapshots of life in 1980s Handsworth from the perspectives of different family members. Weaves together migration, racism, trauma and resilience, gender, class and community .
March 17, 2017
Fascinating, beautifully written with really well drawn characters, and so very important at the moment. Can't wait for the next book from Sharon Duggal
November 28, 2020
3.5 There were some great moments in this book, but some characters were better than others. Great description of what it meant to be Indian in Birmingham in 1981.
January 20, 2024
good contextually and i got really into the story and the characters but oh my god i could not deal with the dialogue. NO ONE SPEAKS LIKE THAT. also way too repetitive.
March 20, 2017
A tragic thing happens to a family during a very difficult time for their country. The story is very dark and sad but is a fantastic picture of what happens in real life. It paints an accurate portrait of life moving on in the face of great adversity and tragedy. It's messy and doesn't always get a perfect ending.
I was on the fence about how many stars this deserved because 3.5 isn't an option on here. I didn't love this book but it was incredibly readable. I gave it 4 stars because of how accurately it portraits grief and desperation and pain. We need more stories that don't hide how ugly life can be.
I was on the fence about how many stars this deserved because 3.5 isn't an option on here. I didn't love this book but it was incredibly readable. I gave it 4 stars because of how accurately it portraits grief and desperation and pain. We need more stories that don't hide how ugly life can be.
April 16, 2019
The story of the Handsworth riots in the 1970s. The title is significant because at the beginning, the Handsworth Times is a newspaper which blames the ethnic community for the riots but by the end, the residents have turned it into a story about taking responsibility for making their community a more positive place. Of course, inbetween these two events the story is much more complicated. The dialogue between the teenagers is a joy, sometimes bleak but often funny.
February 27, 2017
This novel is something totally different for me and came in a subscription box called Moth Box. I would never have chosen this book myself and was looking to expand my reading choices and it was a really worthwhile read.
We are transported back to 1981, a period of great civil unrest that I remember vividly. The author has done her research on what life was like then and drops the odd snippet about tv and radio shows that give the novel authenticity.
We follow the lives of the Agarwal family in how they deal, or do not deal, with loss. You get a real sense of Indian culture in their reactions and those of friends and neighbours. A huge emphasis is placed on keeping face in the community and this adds to their already overwhelming burden.
We see the children become activists and try to find a way through the appalling provocation of the National Front.
The novel ends while this process is still underway and I would really like to see a follow up novel bringing us up to date with the family and with the different pressures of 21st century Britain.
I would also like to thank the author for replying to me on Twitter when I was a bit confused about something.
We are transported back to 1981, a period of great civil unrest that I remember vividly. The author has done her research on what life was like then and drops the odd snippet about tv and radio shows that give the novel authenticity.
We follow the lives of the Agarwal family in how they deal, or do not deal, with loss. You get a real sense of Indian culture in their reactions and those of friends and neighbours. A huge emphasis is placed on keeping face in the community and this adds to their already overwhelming burden.
We see the children become activists and try to find a way through the appalling provocation of the National Front.
The novel ends while this process is still underway and I would really like to see a follow up novel bringing us up to date with the family and with the different pressures of 21st century Britain.
I would also like to thank the author for replying to me on Twitter when I was a bit confused about something.
November 18, 2021
Other contemporary novels use the 1980’s race riots at their climax. (Here, I’m thinking of Catriona Troth’s Ghost Town or Kit de Waal’s My Name is Leon.) The Handsworth Times kicks off with the Handsworth riot. Immediately the territory feels familiar. I grew up as one of five children and, like the Agarwal family in the novel, there were three girls and two boys. My father worked, my mother ran the household. I was a similar age to the Agarwal children in the 1980s. I lived in South London and, although I had no direct experience of the Brixton riots, I was in hospital for something unrelated and several people who were caught up in it were brought onto my ward. Not to mention the fact that on page 5 there is mention of the Finger of Fudge jingle, which featured my mother playing the recorder!
The Handsworth Times is a portrait of a family trying to survive the two-year period after the death of eleven-year-old Billy, who was out on his bike when the riot broke out. The portraits the author paints of individuals isn’t a sympathetic one. Family members do not pull together in their grief. Mukesh is head of the household. Like his wife and children, we don’t know what drives him to drink or why he walks out of a job when unemployment is so high. He doesn’t talk about what is tormenting him and, even if he were able to, bereavement counselling and mental health services were non-existent in the 80s. Usha, the mother, appears by today’s standards to be weak, obsessed as she is by cleaning, never asking any of her children to help with the housework and never pulling them up when they are rude or take her for granted. The oldest daughter Nina’s behaviour seems callous when, in the immediate aftermath of brother Billy’s death, she leaves the family home to take up a university place.
But this is a novel about things that families do not talk about. About sorrows that cannot be spoken of, and of secrets that must be kept. It is impossible for middle daughter Kamesh to admit she’s attracted to girls. It is impossible for youngest daughter Anila to admit that, after attending a meeting of the Handsworth Youth, she was flattered by charismatic Kash’s attention, not realising what his intentions were until it was too late. And we don't know how alone the only remaining son Ravi feels. (His sisters have each other but, alone in the bedroom he shared with Billy, he has no one.)
When revelations come, they are skilfully understated, so that the reader understands how much effort they take and exactly what they cost. By the end of the novel, the seemingly dysfunctional Agarwal family had started to feel like family.
The author leaves us with Usha taking a chair into the garden to escape her children’s bickering. It is a moment, if not exactly of optimism, then a real sense that life goes on, and will continue to do so.
The Handsworth Times is a portrait of a family trying to survive the two-year period after the death of eleven-year-old Billy, who was out on his bike when the riot broke out. The portraits the author paints of individuals isn’t a sympathetic one. Family members do not pull together in their grief. Mukesh is head of the household. Like his wife and children, we don’t know what drives him to drink or why he walks out of a job when unemployment is so high. He doesn’t talk about what is tormenting him and, even if he were able to, bereavement counselling and mental health services were non-existent in the 80s. Usha, the mother, appears by today’s standards to be weak, obsessed as she is by cleaning, never asking any of her children to help with the housework and never pulling them up when they are rude or take her for granted. The oldest daughter Nina’s behaviour seems callous when, in the immediate aftermath of brother Billy’s death, she leaves the family home to take up a university place.
But this is a novel about things that families do not talk about. About sorrows that cannot be spoken of, and of secrets that must be kept. It is impossible for middle daughter Kamesh to admit she’s attracted to girls. It is impossible for youngest daughter Anila to admit that, after attending a meeting of the Handsworth Youth, she was flattered by charismatic Kash’s attention, not realising what his intentions were until it was too late. And we don't know how alone the only remaining son Ravi feels. (His sisters have each other but, alone in the bedroom he shared with Billy, he has no one.)
When revelations come, they are skilfully understated, so that the reader understands how much effort they take and exactly what they cost. By the end of the novel, the seemingly dysfunctional Agarwal family had started to feel like family.
The author leaves us with Usha taking a chair into the garden to escape her children’s bickering. It is a moment, if not exactly of optimism, then a real sense that life goes on, and will continue to do so.
March 25, 2017
During the first 60 odd pages I was having trouble connecting to the story. The book sat in my house unread for a few weeks. But then on a sleepy Saturday I read the remainder of the book in one go.
I really connected to this story of a family that is suffering in many ways, but who are also taking care of one another even while they are hurting. Duggal wrote about the family's home being quiet not with peace but with boredom and grief. That line really struck me especially.
I appreciated that the issue of unemployment and government assistance was included. This is something my family went through for a short time as well, but it doesn't seem to be portrayed in the arts very often.
Also, the author included the topic of alcoholism as it affects children and families-- an issue that it is important to consider.
Overall, I appreciated that the author was bluntly honest about how unhappy a home can be, while also paying tribute to the blessings that come with family life.
I really connected to this story of a family that is suffering in many ways, but who are also taking care of one another even while they are hurting. Duggal wrote about the family's home being quiet not with peace but with boredom and grief. That line really struck me especially.
I appreciated that the issue of unemployment and government assistance was included. This is something my family went through for a short time as well, but it doesn't seem to be portrayed in the arts very often.
Also, the author included the topic of alcoholism as it affects children and families-- an issue that it is important to consider.
Overall, I appreciated that the author was bluntly honest about how unhappy a home can be, while also paying tribute to the blessings that come with family life.
April 2, 2017
3.5 stars
April 4, 2017
this was almost a five star read for me. I felt it was too short. I wanted more. but that's just because I liked it so much. this was a wonderfully well crafted book that touches on issues of race and the need to community. it was beautiful
April 5, 2017
I thought this was a great read, well written, memorable characters, captures an era and place vividly, with honesty and empathy, so pleased I discovered it via mothbox.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews