We Rip The World Apart by Charlene Carr
Narrated by Tebby Fisher

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Mountain Leopard Press and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When 24-year-old Kareela discovers she's pregnant with a child she isn't sure she wants, her struggle to understand her place in the world as a person who is half-Black, half-white—yet feels neither—is amplified.

Her mother, Evelyn, fled to Canada with her husband and their first-born child during the politically charged Jamaican Exodus in the 80s, only to realize they'd come to a place where Black men are viewed with suspicion—a constant and prenicious reality Evelyn watches her husband and son navigate daily.

Years later, in the aftermath of her son's murder by the police, Evelyn's mother-in-law, Violet, moves in, offering young Kareela a link to the Jamaican heritage she had never fully known. Despite Violet’s efforts to help them through their grief, the traumas they carry grow into a web of secrets that threatens the very family they all hold so dear.

In the present day, Kareela, prompted by fear and uncertainty about the new life she carries, must come to terms with the mysteries surrounding her family's past and the need to make sense of both her identity and her future.

My Opinion

Following Evelyn and her daughter Kareela this is a hard-hitting novel. It is a very emotional read but it has been written in a beautiful way. I definitely was not prepared when I started listening to this book. With a lot to discuss this is going to make for a great book club read.

Rating 4/5

This book gave so much. It really enjoyed that it was multi-generational, and I liked that it showed how trying to withhold the pain of your generation from your children can cause rifts and more problems. It was a really real look at race and gender equality. The more we got to know the characters and what they’ve been through the more we understood and related to them.

This book came at a beautiful, yet difficult moment in my life and I couldn't be more grateful. As someone who has had to process grief, I could relate to each of the characters in the book and it was a beautiful story. The multi-cultural story is one that resonates with so many people and I was unsure at the start but truthfully enjoyed it. The dynamics of interracial relationships, immigrant stories, being visibly Black in North America, and more are things a part of my day-to-day life, and this book really pushed me to think about my world and how much it impacts my health and relationships.

I really enjoyed reading the relationship between Evelyn, Kareela, and Violet and how their lives were so different, yet similar. I also really appreciated that the book warned me of the content before it started, so I was prepared when triggering things happened. I took my time with the book and processed as I needed and I just really appreciate it wholeheartedly. This is a must-read and was beautifully done.

A moving, multi-person look at race, culture and family.

Spanning three generations, we follow three women - Violet, Evelyn and Kareela as they each look to overcome (and live with) the consequences of a number of tragic events in their pasts which have a significant influence on their future.

Violet fell in love with a man who didn't see her as marriage material, meaning that she was often left to raise her growing brood of children alone. When one 'flying visit' from the children's father sees him taking their only son back to the city with him, Violet is left trying to rebuild the hole this leaves in her heart and her remaining family.

Having sought to escape a violent father, Evelyn appears to have found safety and love in Jamaica with Kingsley. Growing racial tensions, however, cause them to look to take their young son to Canada, where Evelyn lives in fear of seeing her father and must adjust to their previously accepted relationship being constantly questioned and remarked upon.

Following a childhood overshadowed by the death of her brother, Kareela's mixed-race heritage means she's spent most of her teens (and early adulthood) feeling that she doesn't belong. Finally seeming to find a 'place' within the local chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement, Kareela is given access to information about her brother's death which causes her to question everything she has previously believed about her choices and those of her parents.

Thought-provoking and engaging, We Rip the World Apart, blends real-life events, including the murder of George Floyd and the covid-19 pandemic within a beautifully written tale of self-discovery and exploration.

This was positively heartbreaking, gut wrenching and just so so good!
I loved everything about it - the story, the characters and everything.
I would definitely read more from this author.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. It read too much like a non-fiction book and I felt as though the author’s opinions were being forced on me - this had a lot to do with the narrator, who I did not enjoy. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

While this was a heavy read, it was necessary. The dual narrative of a white mother and her mixed race daughter both sharing their experiences was stunning, understanding how the actions of the generations affect those born even after they took place was pivotal to the narrative of this book and the way that the story was told.

Charlene Carr did an exceptional job with this, and I look forward to reading any of her future work.

This book had me utterly engrossed from the very first page, evoking feelings similar to the joy I experienced while reading Black Cake. Delving into the lives of three generations—a mixed-race daughter, her white mother, and their Jamaican grandmother—this multigenerational tale intricately weaves together their personal narratives and the impacts they have on one another.

Against the backdrop of issues like police brutality and the resounding calls of the Black Lives Matter movement, the family grapples with the haunting loss of their son and brother years prior. Through their perspectives, the book offers an exploration of Black Caribbean-Canadian and interracial experiences, bringing light on the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience.

Listening to the audiobook, I found myself instantly transported by the rich Jamaican lilt, which resonated deeply with my own familial connections. However, while the narrative predominantly focuses on the three women, I couldn't help but want a deeper exploration of Kingsley, the father figure. His story felt somewhat relegated to the sidelines.

Overall, this book is a powerful testament to the strength of familial bonds and the enduring legacy of heritage. It offers a fresh perspective on familiar themes and so happy I was able to read this.

This novel should be required reading.
A beautiful, eye-opening and heartbreaking story told by three generations of women, one black, one white and one mixed-race, which examines the events that bring them together as a family, and those that drive them apart.
It deals with racism, abuse, alcoholism, masking, abortion, sexual assault and police brutality, amongst other sensitive and emotive topics, so please check the trigger warnings.
As a white woman living in the UK (married to a white man), I’m very conscious of the privilege and advantages this has given me. These stories are important reminders that prejudice and ignorance (whether intentional or not) still exist in abundance, and need to be challenged when they’re encountered, not ignored. It’s particularly important that those who enjoy positions of privilege are allies and speak up, adding their strength to these important voices, that need to be heard.
It’s a compelling read/listen (I listened to the audiobook which was wonderfully narrated by Tebby Fisher) and published earlier this month.
I encourage you to grab a copy if you get the opportunity - it’s beautifully written and its message is important.
Five stars from me with thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio for the chance to listen to an ARC.

Can’t recommend this book enough!!! A beautiful and emotional story following three generations of women navigating life.

The book addresses difficult topics around race, gender and generational trauma in an engaging and informative way. It gives different POVs of the 3 leading women, giving you insights and the struggles they each had to go through at different points in time allowing you to see how things have changed in society (or not).

It deals with loss & grief, and the way the relationships between Grandmother, Mother & daughter develop as they navigate the aftermath. Showcasing how each women deals with the trauma that their lives have brought, as well as how much someone is able to withhold from those they love in the hope of sheltering them.

5* read and definitely a book that stays with you.

You know I’m always on about content/trigger warnings?
Here 👏 is 👏how👏it👏should👏be 👏done👏

Wow!! 5 stars and a review is never going to do justice to this piece of work. It’s emotional, thought provoking, vivid and vital.

A story of 3 generations of woman. Grandmother, daughter in law and granddaughter. Split over each of their lives time span, a story of racism, abuse, love, lies and motherhood, daugherhood, family and the complexities of loving and understanding your family.

This is a must read. Breathtaking!

All the stars 🌟 #Jorecommends

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.