Quick Reads Notting Hill Carnival

by Candice Carty-Williams

Notting Hill Carnival (Quick Reads): A West Side Story (Quick Reads 2020) [Paperback] Carty-Williams, Candice

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Fiction, Contemporary, London

102 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2020

About the author

Candice Carty-Williams was born in 1989, the result of an affair between a Jamaican cab driver who barely speaks and a Jamaican-Indian dyslexic receptionist who speaks more than anyone else in the world. She studied Media at Sussex because her sixth form teachers said that she wasn’t clever enough to do English, but she showed them all by first working at the Guardian Guide and then moving into publishing at 23.

Carty-Williams has worked on marketing literary fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels ever since; her first highlight was interviewing David Cronenberg and telling him that if she were a white man she’d like to look like him. In response he called her a ‘delightful person’. In 2016, she created and launched the Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, a prize that aims to find, champion and celebrate black, Asian and minority ethnic writers. She also contributes regularly to Refinery29 and i-D.

Reviews

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book because I figured it would be a quick read in between work on Sundays. I was delayed reading it due to the virus outbreak. I finally go the chance to sit down and read. I expected a colorful description of Carnival that painted a picture but instead everything was flat. I didn't get a true sense of the festival. It was just we saw some dancers in costume on floats. We ate some street food. I wined my waistline. And Sapphire and Appollo had barely an smidge of chemistry to make this love in one day story work. I was excited to read something by Candice Carty-Williams due to the mixed reaction to Queenie but instead was underwhelmed.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slowly working my way through a bunch of novellas i forgot i'd bought!
This was a good read but I had the same issue I have with most novellas in that i found it difficult to connect with any of the characters or their plight.
If this was a full length novel i'm sure I'd really enjoy it but as it was so small i found it a bit lacklustre unfortunately.

[Erica⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphire is the hot-headed leader of the Red Roses in an area where gang loyalty is all that matters. But after a tragic event, Sapphire vows to leave her old life, friends and her gang behind. Life without the Red Roses and the violence that always followed them is certainly quieter.

When she meets a boy called Apollo on her way to Notting Hill Carnival, she forms an instant bond with him. She thinks he could be the one. Until she discovers he's a member of rival gang, the Gold Teeth. Will she ever escape her past with the Red Roses, and how many lives will be ruined until she does?

[Andrea Shortridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been in a reading slump for quite a while now, so when I saw that Candice Carty-Williams had written a Quick Read, I instantly put it in my basket and eagerly awaited its arrival! Having LOVED Queenie, my favourite book that I have read this year, I was so excited to step back into Candice’s writing again and boy, I was not disappointed.
I really can’t say very much about this, as it is a quick read I will give everything awayif I go into too much detail, but the writing and the story we’re both captivating and incredibly well written. The story was just the right length and touches on family, friendships, relationships and rivalries.
Candice Carty-Williams is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!
If you are looking for a quick read to bring you out of a slump, definitely pick this up, it’s only £1 too! Bargain!

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It’s very difficult to get into a short story and invest yourself in the characters due to length of time it’s read in. This was an ok read and was entertaining enough but for me, not one of the best ‘quick reads’ I’ve read recently.

[S.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little story about how silly little disagreements can become something worse and a hint of romeo and juliet in modern times. Touching on knife crime in gang life.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this :)

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this an entertaining novella which makes good use of its West Side Story/Romeo and Juliet inspiration. It worked really well as a shorter story and kept me engaged due to the fast pace and tension in the plot. I would have liked to have seen the carnival used more in the story though, given that it is the focus of the title, but it was lacking in description and atmosphere to capture the spirit of the carnival and emphasise the contrast of the violent conflict between the two gangs.

I liked the character of Sapphire and thought she was well-developed as a voice of morality and maturity in the story. The love-at-first-sight dynamic between Apollo and Sapphire didn't quite ring true to me but actually the story was more about gang mentality and violence, consequences and escaping that life so the moral message there was the heart of the story more than the romance.

[Lisa Whittaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two rival gangs. The Notting Hill Carnival. Sapphire used to be the leader of the Red Roses but walked away for a better life. Apollo is a member of the Gold Teeth gang but isn’t fully invested like his sister, Zora. Sapphire and Apollo meet on the tube on their way to the carnival. It is love at first sight for Apollo. Neither know of each other’s gang history.

I enjoyed this one. An insight into gang life in south London. The author is new to me and has written the book Queenie. I’m pretty sure I have a copy of that so looking forward to reading it.

[carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is definitely a quick and easy read, but although the story did have some engaging bits, the ending ruined it for me. the time skip felt very rushed and i felt as if the book had simply finished in present time it probably would’ve been better

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read book

[Gail Wylde · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A nice quick read, a new take in West Side Story. I enjoyed it.

[Carys · Rating 2 out of 5]

big Book Fair energy

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars :)

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I felt invested in the story, and loved the relationship between Sapphire and Apollo. Loved the West Side Story elements. Would recommend it as a fun, quick read.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I was interested in this story but it lacked dept and emotion. I believe this would have worked better as a novel.

[Chandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars.

[Dana’s Swamp Monster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual read (Thriller/Horror/Mystery) but I’m making my way through all of the “Quick reads” from the reading agency. Nice story, romance readers would enjoy this book. Had a lot of potential for a novel.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 really enjoyed, quick short read.

[Loz Darwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and quick read with a few sweet characters but the way though spoke annoyed me, though that probably just shows my age 😂😂

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good short story and a good retelling of west side story

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's about two rival gangs in London. It has some emotional scenes, powerful messages, some likable characters, and a great ending. It was short, with just 102 pages, so it's great for anyone looking for a quick read.

Content warning: the book contains assault, violence and some somewhat graphic fight descriptions.

[Neha Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the review here:

https://storywala.blogspot.com/2020/1...

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is so great and this book packs a punch-full review to come!

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read but didn’t really make any sense.

[Kellie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In all honesty, this was fairly decent. Like others have said, I think I would’ve liked this better had it been a full length novel rather than a ‘Quick Reads’ story. More time to do some more world building and character development. But, as it is, there was still enough for me to be able to get into the story and enjoy it for what it is.

[Mrs Rebecca Myrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot packed into a short story

I have just finished reading Queenie (five stars🌟) and needed another Candice Carty-Williams fix. This short story packs a lot in and you quickly get to know and feel for the characters. I love CCW's descriptions of south London - it almost feels like another character that adds depth and brings to life the people in it. I can't wait for whatever CCW writes next - she's amazing :D

[Nicole Sweeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.

Rating: 2.5

Notting Hill Carnival is the story of a girl named Sapphire who has abandoned her life as a gang leader to the Red Roses and is working full time. When she meets a boy called Apollo on her way to the carnival, they instantly form a connection. She discovers he is a part of a rival gang and they have plans to meet with the Red Roses at the carnival. Can she escape her past before it destroys her?

I really wanted to love this one but I didn’t connect with it as much as I did the other two Quick Reads books I’ve picked up. I think if this had been a full length novel that really gave you the chance to get to know the characters I would have absolutely loved it. I thought it was a brilliant premise, but the story was just too quick for me. I enjoyed reading about the gangs and the friendships between them but I was less interested in the romance between Sapphire and Apollo. I did really like the writing style however so I would be intrigued to read a full length novel from Candice Carty-Williams.

[Lois Carr-Nieves · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Notting Hill Carnival’ is a short, sweet story full of a celebration of life and culture but it also demonstrates the reality of the tension between rival gangs and the repercussions that they can have.

I really loved the atmosphere of the carnival scenes and it made me feel like I was part of the joyous celebrations. When things started to take a turn for the worse, the tension was palpable and it made me think about how rival gang confrontations like these happen all the time and can end badly for everyone involved, including most of the innocent people caught in the crossfire.

My favourite part of ‘Notting Hill Carnival’ was the relationship between Sapphire and Apollo and how quickly they formed a strong bond. I’d really love to read a longer novel of the continuation of their story. I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for a quick read or if you enjoyed other work by Candice Carty-Williams.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick read follows two groups of school aged young adults who become rival gangs and their violence escalates as they grow up into adults. It discusses gang violence throughout as well as racial stereotyping by police. This book also has a Romeo and Juliet style romance blossom that is forbidden however this love helps to create something beautiful in the midst of tragedy. It is a really lovely read but personally for me it was too much of a YA romanace for my liking and the drama felt like school yard tiffs so it came across quite childish. However if you love romance and YA then I can imagine this will be a great read for you and shows some great representation from Candice Carty-Williams who is also the author of Queenie.