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A review by megansoetaert
The Rest of You by Maame Blue
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Maame Blue’s second novel, The Rest of You, is an endearing and emotional story about Whitney, a 30 year old Londoner trying to find herself as an adult and understand the childhood she left behind in Ghana.
Throughout a very difficult year, Whitney tries to process death, a past abusive relationship, her family, her childhood, and maintaining friendships. I was so endeared to her, I wanted her to have all the tenderness and healing she needed.
There are also chapters throughout the book from the point of view of Whitney’s aunts in Ghana in the 90s that help us understand her family and childhood. I ate those up—I wanted to know more about Aretha in particular!!
Blue brings humor and love into every chapter, making a tough story lighter. There are some places that jump over big emotional events, to go back and process them later—it was a little jarring at first, but I think made sense in the context of how humans process our trauma and grief.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Throughout a very difficult year, Whitney tries to process death, a past abusive relationship, her family, her childhood, and maintaining friendships. I was so endeared to her, I wanted her to have all the tenderness and healing she needed.
There are also chapters throughout the book from the point of view of Whitney’s aunts in Ghana in the 90s that help us understand her family and childhood. I ate those up—I wanted to know more about Aretha in particular!!
Blue brings humor and love into every chapter, making a tough story lighter. There are some places that jump over big emotional events, to go back and process them later—it was a little jarring at first, but I think made sense in the context of how humans process our trauma and grief.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Murder