From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

My Sister, the Serial Killer

Oyinkan Braithwaite

Start date: April 15, 2020

Finish date: May 15, 2020

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

Why we're reading this: April 2020 selection for World Mystery theme
[close] April 2020 selection for World Mystery theme

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Group Reads Discussions

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last updated Jan 18, 2013 07:12PM

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What Members Thought

May 31, 2019 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: library, 2019, cultural, library-request, contemporary

3.5 stars. This is a book whose cover doesn't really help the reader assess it. I've learned that sometimes you can tell a lot from the cover. This one led me to think this book was a lighter read than it really was. (Ok, the title helped.) Maybe focus more on the title than the cover, if you're trying to make a reading decision here.

Although there is a lot of dark humor, this isn't a light book. There is domestic violence, abuse, death. It was definitely unique because of the mix and I enjoyed 3.5 stars. This is a book whose cover doesn't really help the reader assess it. I've learned that sometimes you can tell a lot from the cover. This one led me to think this book was a lighter read than it really was. (Ok, the title helped.) Maybe focus more on the title than the cover, if you're trying to make a reading decision here.

Although there is a lot of dark humor, this isn't a light book. There is domestic violence, abuse, death. It was definitely unique because of the mix and I enjoyed seeing a bit of Nigerian life and culture here. (I'm finding myself drawn to a wide range of countries and cultures in my reading lately, and really enjoying that.)

It would be hard for me to recommend this book to others because it is so different. I could see different aspects of it appealing to different people but as to the book as a whole, it's a little harder to make a recommendation. I'm happy to answer questions though if you're considering it. It's not a murder mystery, it's not for the humor genre, it's not light/chicklit and I wouldn't call it literary either.

Saying all that though, I'll be looking for the author's next book, because I enjoy her writing style. I like the short chapters, which made this book easy to gobble down quick. It's a bit hard-hitting though, and so the mix was a bit......in some ways, off-putting, IMO. She doesn't want the reader to get too relaxed, for sure.

A political PS (because I can't resist): (view spoiler) ...more

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