Noughts and Crosses

by Malorie Blackman
Noughts and Crosses cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Technical:
  • ID: 1639
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
thebooksareeverywhere.com · Unknown · 2025-10-08
powerful 4.50

Noughts & Crosses is a gripping exploration of race and love, with a compelling narrative that challenges societal norms. The characters are deeply developed, and the story's emotional depth makes it a standout.

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of race, love, and societal inequality. The story follows Callum and Sephy, whose forbidden love challenges the deeply ingrained prejudices of their world. The characters are richly developed, and their emotional journeys are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The narrative is compelling, and the exploration of complex issues makes it a standout read. The book's emotional depth and the way it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society make it a must-read. While some might find the plot predictable, the depth of character development and the bold themes make it a memorable and impactful story.

Quick quotes

    The story is a powerful exploration of race and love

    The characters are richly developed, and their emotional journeys are both heart-wrenching and inspiring

    The book's emotional depth and the way it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society make it a must-read

storgykids.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2018-11-14
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found Jennifer Egan's 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' to be a unique and challenging read with a gritty, film noir style. They appreciated the complex character perspectives and the exploration of taboo topics but struggled with the lack of a cohesive plot and the depressing tone.

The reviewer was initially excited about 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' due to its awards and the author's charming personality. They found the book's structure and exploration of taboo topics impressive, with a rich, musical prose that captures the essence of different characters' lives. However, they struggled with the lack of a traditional plot and the overwhelming number of characters, which made it hard to follow. The depressing tone and the absence of clear redemption for the characters also left them feeling unsatisfied. Despite these issues, they acknowledged the book's literary merit and unique style.

Quick quotes

    Structural dissatisfaction: Returning to circumstances that once pleased you, after having experienced a more thrilling or opulent way of life, and finding that you can no longer tolerate them.

    I liked that it touched on more ‘taboo’ topics usually absent from mainstream lit such as hard core drug use, offensive language, homosexuality, mental illness, and suicide, this gave the novel a whole new level of perspective.

    I was impressed by the complex point of views, character, and mixing of culture and social taboos but I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed the book.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2013-11-14
great 4.00

A Visit From The Goon Squad is a well-crafted but challenging novel that reads like a collection of interrelated short stories. The book explores themes of time, loss, and the passage of life through diverse characters connected to a record company executive.

A Visit From The Goon Squad is a unique and meticulously crafted novel that defies easy definition. It reads like a collection of thirteen interrelated short stories, each following different characters connected to record company executive Bennie Salazar. The stories span various locations and time periods, creating a puzzle that takes time to come together. The book explores themes of time, loss, and the passage of life, with each character experiencing a loss of innocence, relevance, or success. While the writing is excellent and the stories are engaging, the book can be frustrating to read due to its complexity and the need to keep track of numerous characters and connections. It's a book that deserves multiple readings to fully appreciate its depth and intricacies.

Quick quotes

    How did I go from being a rock star to being a fat fuck no one cares about?

    A Visit From The Goon Squad is a great book in the sense that it’s incredibly well-written and meticulously crafted.

    It’s one I’d only recommend picking up if you’ve got the time and brain space to dedicate to it, as it deserves no less.

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