43 pages • 1 hour read
Brother: A Novel
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Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
Scarborough, Ontario • 1990s
2017
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Brother by David Chariandy is a coming-of-age novel set in Scarborough, Canada, focusing on two Canadian Trinidadian brothers, Michael and Francis, as they navigate racism, poverty, and an uncertain future. After a family tragedy, Michael, the narrator, seeks to protect his grieving mother while exploring themes of identity, trauma, and community connection. The novel contains depictions of police brutality, murder, and racism.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Gritty
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
12,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
David Chariandy's Brother is acclaimed for its lyrical prose, emotional depth, and powerful exploration of themes like racial identity and brotherhood. Critics praise its intimate portrayal of family dynamics and resilience, although some feel the pacing can be slow. Overall, it's celebrated as a poignant and thought-provoking novel with rich character development and a compelling narrative.
Who Should Read Brother?
Readers who appreciate Brother by David Chariandy are likely to be drawn to poignant stories exploring themes of identity, family, and systemic injustice. Similar in tone to Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me, this novel resonates with those interested in contemporary social issues.
12,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
192
Novel • Fiction
Scarborough, Ontario • 1990s
2017
YA
18+ years
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