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Hearts And Minds is the story of five Londoners whose lives interact. A divorced human-rights lawyer, a South African supply teacher, a Zimbabwean cab-driver, a Ukrainian teenager trafficked into prostitution, and an American PA escaping a failed relationship in her home country. But as well as bein Leggi tutto

Ugh. What a disappointment. A lot of intriguing characters and situations, but then way too much telling -- and not enough showing -- about the social ills of modern Britain. In the meantime, basic writerly craft is often overlooked. Perhaps the most egregious example of the author's preference for

This book is a winner for a number of reasons. Firstly, it must be said that many books detailing the diverging lives of a number of characters seem to fall short in that they struggle to sufficiently carve out identities for each character that are ‘individual’ enough – they often fall into the tra Leggi tutto

Amanda Craig vividly portrays the complexity of modern-day London through the lives of a diverse group of characters, some British and others who have come to live here from abroad either legally or illegally. The novel was reminiscent of Charles Dickens, both in its interweaving of lives and its so Leggi tutto

In the backdrop of the recently conducted European election results, which have seen significant far right and conservatives gains, this story is very relevant. It is no less than Dickens for the voiceless immigrants of London, who like Dickens characters are only trying to survive best they can. Al Leggi tutto

A little torn between 4 and 5 stars here but I will give it 5 as it was so absorbing, with lots of fascinating characters, and covered such range. A portrait of modern London, a look at the immigrant experience from a number of perspectives, and an insight at some serious social/political issues. So Leggi tutto

Titolo originale: Hearts and Minds È un libro impegnativo, perché le storie che racconta sono molto vere ed è difficile ascoltarle, doloroso immaginarle, lancinante sapere che mentre leggiamo continuano ad accadere. È stato scritto più di 10 anni fa e oggi possiamo vedere il seguito reale di quello c Leggi tutto