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Chariandy, David John
Story of the sons of Trinidadian immigrants in Canada and their struggle to battle against prejudices and live a better life.
Publisher: [Toronto] :, McClelland & Stewart,, 2018
Edition: Paperback edition
Branch Call Number: FIC CHARI D
Read more reviews of Brother at iDreamBooks.com
Plooch Jun 21, 2019
Not sure why people love this so much. Definitely some deft moves: the way siren lights distort the neighbourhood, the dangerous electrical pole to agency on the first page, some aspects of the relationships. But the story's catalyst (drug dealer is shot dead, drawing harsh police attention to the neighbourhood) doesn't really work because it's never made clear why this particular violent episode inspired the cops to be dicks rather than some previous episode. Aren't the cops endlessly dicks in places like Scarborough? Shouldn't their oppressive behaviour have been a steady part of the setting rather than something Chariandy needed to trigger?
Language is also a huge issue. The voice doesn't make much sense, like why does the narrator use near-Victorian English to tell his story, fetching this, placing things upon that, and pausing to guffaw? And how, exactly, do you fumblingly put a condom on inside out? There are a lot of clumsy sentence fragments that don't add the depth the author intends (a tinfoil-in-the-window entry is so clunky it's funny), and the overall story is more a collection of immigrants-in-Canada tropes than anything else. The police shooting at its heart definitely makes it topical, but there's no way this book is worth the $200,000 in prize money showered, um, upon it.
spiridiona Jun 13, 2019
What a great book! What I find valuable about this story is that it gives you a glimpse of the unprivileged realities that are often hidden in a privileged country like Canada. It touches on politically charged topics such as racism, police brutality, discrimination, priviledge, immigration and even mental health, in a subtle -and not so much- ways.
This book won't make you smile,please know that it's emotional and if you are connected enough to the story, it's even enraging and frustrating.
daysleeper236 May 18, 2019
Loved it. Kind of like a Canadian version of "The Hate U Give". Highly recommended.
blcwrites Apr 30, 2019
My thanks to the library for ordering this remarkable book from a Canadian author. We know in the beginning that things may not turn out well and yet we find so much dignity in the observations made by Michael and Aisha and Jelly. What a wonderful book and no wonder it is considered a gem here and in Canada. A must read.
mclarjh Apr 20, 2019
For teenage reader; more popular than literary.
dirtbag Feb 13, 2019
Canada Reads 2019
Covers the visible minority experience in a rough neighborhood in Toronto.
becker Feb 02, 2019
This was well written and the author nailed the sense of place and time.
Sarah_R33 Jan 25, 2019
While it's true that this book is sad, it's an essential read to understand what life might be like for those living in less privileged conditions. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something light and uplifting, but if you're looking to expand your horizons and step out of your comfort zone, I'd highly recommend this book. It's about loss and hopelessness, but it's also about family, love and the power we have to overcome great suffering.
That being said, I didn't find the ending of the book that sad. Without spoiling the plot, I felt it ended on a hopeful note.
hamerkop Jan 15, 2019
Clearly should have been shortlisted for the Giller. This portrayal of
brotherly love, and of the despair and hopelessness of marginalized communities is fashioned with honesty and delicacy. This author holds great promise!
uncommonreader Jan 13, 2019
This is quite a perfect book about "complicated grief", systemic racism and brotherly love.
csrestall Jan 24, 2018
Sexual Content: sexual awakening and homosexuality
Violence: fight scene, and violence/ murder
Coarse Language: various swears
Sarah_R33 thinks this title is suitable for 13 years and over
csrestall thinks this title is suitable for 16 years and over
Michael and his older brother Francis live in Toronto with their single mother. They are from Trinidadian decent. The story begins with a grown Michael welcoming a visting friend into their home, you can tell from the beginning that somthing is not right in the home. There are various stories relayed from the boys youth. Discussing when they used to play by the creek, a trip to the mall gone wrong, Michael going with his brother to the barber shop, fights and some abuse from their mother, the sexual awakening of Michael, two boys afraid of criminals, a one time trip to Trinidad, a failed reunion with their father, and a failed audition resulting in a brawl. There are also glimpses of the present. Michael talking with his friend Aisha, a rememberance party stopped abruptly, the injury of his mother and her hospitalization. The story comes to a close when the reader learns of Francis' death at the hands of the police. The death of her son causes the mother to have a mental break, and Michael to shut himself off from the world. The ending is quite abrupt as we dont see how the mother copes with the death and what happens to Michael.
Trinidadians — Canada — Fiction
Children of Immigrants — Canada — Fiction
Brothers — Fiction
Prejudices — Fiction
Police Brutality — Fiction
Police Shootings — Fiction
Families — Fiction
Scarborough (Ont.) — Fiction
BPL owns a similar edition of this title.
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