Girl, Woman, Other - Chapters 1 & 2

[Marc]

Initial impressions of the characters, the writing style, etc. Please limit comments in this thread to chapters 1 and 2.

[Bretnie]

Starting the book I remember feeling surprised the writing style. I was sure the lack of punctuation and the sentence structure was going to be really distracting to me, but it didn't take long before I didn't notice anymore.

What do you think her intentions were in using such a specific style?

[Nat]

Bretnie wrote: "Starting the book I remember feeling surprised the writing style. I was sure the lack of punctuation and the sentence structure was going to be really distracting to me, but it didn't take long bef..."

Yes, I also took some time to get used to the style, but once I did I really liked it. I think she may have used this style to better represent the personality and thought pattern of each main character of a chapter, as the style and the language changed from one chapter to another. Overall, I thought the poetic style (I thought some passages made good use of enjambements) helped in underlining the major emotions the characters were feeling or the pivotal moments in their stories.

[Marc]

The only thing that somewhat threw me off about the style was that I expected I might have to read it a little differently... maybe more like a poem, but after a few pages, I was mostly oblivious to the style and enjoying the characters. I agree that some of the enjambments, as well as the line breaks (especially where creating very short one-to-two word lines) helped emphasize/punctuate certain scenes/sentiments.

I thought it also gave a kind of informal fluidness and a nice sense of pace to things. I'm only through chapter 1 at this point.

Initial thoughts on any of the characters from these first two chapters (Amma, Yazz, Dominique, Carole, Bummi and LaTisha)? I started cringing just as Dominique and Nzinga moved to America. I think I wrote something in the margins along the lines of "this feels like an abusive relationship." I like how Evaristo plays around with stereotypes---it's like she teases the reader into thinking they know a character and then opens up all these quite human contradictions.

[Sue]

I'm almost finished with chapter 2.

I'm really enjoying the format. I also love the interplay with how the characters see each other sometimes (often) more clearly than they see themselves.

I also am picking up a clear generational divide more so than a racial divide. Amma is pitch-perfect baby boomer, and her daughter Yazz seems so clearly a millennial. I felt like this was jumping off the page at me - probably because as a gen-xer I'm used to rolling my eyes at both generational groups. Both characters, in fact all the characters are very relatable.

The author shows great sympathy to these ladies. It feels like she's writing about friends she loves, flaws and all.

I have to agree with Marc about Dominique and Nzinga. I was horrified as their relationship played out. And I was actually a little sad that Dominique didn't return to London.

[Emmeline]

I enjoyed the style. It was strange because it did read like prose, but it also seemed to give the book a lightness and fluidity that I wasn't sure it would have if it was prose.

[Bretnie]

I really liked the format of sets of three women with their connections.

The Dominique and Nzinga was a hard chapter to read, but it's the one that's stuck with me the most from the book. It really showed how hard it is to leave an abusive relationship.

[Marc]

I wanted Dominique to return to London, too, Sue!

"Lightness and fluidity" really captures the impact of the prose-poetry type style Evaristo employs, Bretnie. Just finished chapter 2 and I noticed Bummi's section has fuller, almost-paragraphs (gave it more weight and felt like it matched her personality and position in terms of age/family dynamics) I also hadn't realized that punctuation is sometimes used, especially question marks, but the occasional period, as well. Not impacting my reading much in any direction, but curious that I had gotten so used to the style, I just assumed there was no punctuation.

Bretnie, the connection you mentioned just seem to get more interesting and complex in chapter two.

Thoughts on chapter 2's characters (Carole, LaTisha, Bummi)? What sorts of themes or trends do you see emerging at this point in the book?

[Pamela]

Interesting to read all your views on the writing style. As our physical libraries are still closed, I borrowed the audiobook and as you'd expect that aspect is lost in the narration. In fact, it is read in a very prosaic and matter of fact way, so I may take a look at the physical book when the libraries reopen to get that poetic sense you mention.

Just about to start Chapter 2 so will be back later with thoughts on the characters.

[Bretnie]

Pamela wrote: "Interesting to read all your views on the writing style. As our physical libraries are still closed, I borrowed the audiobook and as you'd expect that aspect is lost in the narration. In fact, it i..."

Oh that's interesting Pamela! You made me curious about the audio and I might have re-read it just to hear the difference, but 120 holds changed that idea. :(

[Pamela]

I've really enjoyed these first two chapters - I like the way the stories in each chapter are linked, but also some connections appear between the chapters like Carole mentioning the play at the National.

This book seems a kind of panorama of Black British experience - the different backgrounds and heritage, different attitudes to class, education and sexuality. There are lots of interesting secondary characters too who could all have had their own chapter if Evaristo had chosen to make them the focus.

Carole was the only character who hasn't totally convinced so far, but I think this may be because her experiences have made her put on a kind of mask and 'become' a different person.