We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carr is a moving multi-generation novel about trauma and grief.

Canadian born Evelyn (who is white) and her husband Jamaican Kingsley Jackson leave Jamaica with their young son Antony due to extreme political unrest. Resettling in Toronto, Kingsley finishes his education then becomes a much-loved professor at a local university. Evelyn works full-time and they raise their son Antony who views their world through a very different lens. Unlike his father who never rocks the boat, Antony becomes very involved in civil rights (mostly the unjust killings of brown and black people). Their daughter Kareela is a late in life baby who grows up in a family traumatized by grief.

Twenty-four-year-old Kareela has just realized she is pregnant with her (white) boyfriend Thomas’ baby. Uncertain of her place in the world and her relationship with Thomas, she is wracked with indecision about whether she wants a child at this time. Kareela is also attempting to discover who she is and exactly what she wants for her life. Her relationship with her mother is strained and she longs for Evelyn’s love.

Kingsley’s mom Violet has seen plenty of trouble in her life. Yet she does not allow these events to prevent her from loving her children, daughter-in-law and grandbabies. Violet is much loved by Kareela but will her granddaughter understand her role in long ago events?

We Rip the World Apart features a compelling storyline and captivating characters. The pacing is sometimes a bit slow as key players grapple with tragedy and its aftereffects. The chapters alternate between different perspectives and time periods. Real life events add depth to the unfolding story. Although there are a few loose ends, Charlene Carr brings this intense novel to a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. This book was so amazing, so moving, and so emotional. It deserves a 5 stars. I could relate to the part where the main character was pregnant and was not sure if she wanted to keep it. You really feel for her and the challenges she faces throughout the book.

Charlene Carr’s We Rip the World Apart is a masterful and gut-wrenching novel that takes readers on a raw, emotional journey through the deeply intertwined themes of race, motherhood, police brutality, and trauma. This multi-generational, deeply personal story delves into the complexities of biracial relationships and the unique burdens placed on families navigating systemic racism. It is a novel that moved me to anger, brought me to tears, and left me profoundly changed.

At its heart, We Rip the World Apart examines how grief and trauma ripple through a family after tragedy strikes, affecting each member in ways that are both unique and universally heartbreaking. Carr’s storytelling is as intimate as it is unflinchingly honest, exposing the raw nerves of loss and the fierce love that drives parents to do anything to protect their children. The quote, “I’d rip the world apart to keep her safe,” is a poignant refrain that resonated deeply with me, encapsulating the lengths to which we would go to secure a better, safer world for our children. Readers should be aware of potential triggers, including racism and abortion, as Carr does not hold back from confronting these issues in a deeply affecting manner.

PHENOMENAL!!! I could not put this down and I am already upset that I finished reading it. It’s raw and gut-wrenching that it forces us to confront the deepest parts of ourselves. This book did just that—and more. From the very first page, Carr weaves a powerful, unflinching tale of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of redemption.

Carr did a great job!!!! I loved it!!!

A moving story about race, motherhood, culture, community, and how those themes intersect with one another. This is the first book I’ve read by Charlene Carr and I will absolutely be picking up another one. The first half was a little slow and I found it difficult to feel really invested in the story. However, things really picked up in the second half and I flew through it. The ending was a little abrupt and though I wanted to know more, it didn’t feel incomplete. Overall, an incredible story that should be on everyone’s list this year.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All of the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel should be made required reading for all ages. I know that’s a very short review, but that’s all I can think to say. This novel should be made required reading for all ages.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carr. This is a multigenerational family story, that explores the joys and issues of being mixed race. It goes between Canada and Jamaica, as the family tries to find a place where a black man can be safe and have equal opportunities. But that is much easier said than done. The grandson is killed in a political protest, after years of the parents trying to keep him out of a situation where this could happen. And now his sister is pregnant and not sure if she wants to bring a baby into this world. As the story goes on, a lot is revealed about the parents and grandmother, that make some things easier to understand. This is a really thoughtful novel, with a great family story and timely subjects. Very discussable and makes you think. #weriptheworldapart #charlenecarr #netgalley #bookstagram #advancedreadercopy #takeapagefrommybook #familystory

I randomly had checked Hold My Girl out of the library and found it to be such a beautiful, touching, well-written book. So I automatically wanted to read Charlene's next book but unfortunately I didn't read the synopsis before requesting. I know race relations are extremely important and I'm sure Charlene has done an excellent job writing this. But when I read for pleasure in my free time, this serious subject is just not what I want to focus on. Especially over the December holiday break.

A gripping, poignant story about grief, identity, family, racism, injustice and healing told by three generations of women.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC.

I dnfed this book at 60 percent just because of personal reasons. It was really negatively affecting my mental health. Some of the conversations the characters were having just hit me harder than I expected and I tried to push through but couldn’t.

That being said, I think this is a beautiful story about different generations and how different things affect them. I can see myself recommending this to my audience because I know exactly what type of reader would enjoy this.

I think anyone who enjoyed The Hate You Give but wanted a more complex, adult story would love this.

When I saw this author new cooking coming I know after reading Hold my Girl. This book tore my heart apart as it was emotional and beautifully written.

This was a compelling, emotional, and thought-provoking novel. We Rip the World Apart follows three generations of Jamaican-Candian women through their journeys with motherhood, grief, and trauma. The story's pacing was a little slow at times, but the writing style felt like I was reading a "day in the life" about these characters, which I appreciated.

Please check the content warnings before reading. This book is beautifully written but deals with heavy subject matters. I think this would be a great pick for a book club discussion or for anyone who is looking to diversify their bookshelves. Read if you enjoy:

-Books set in Canada
-Complex characters
-Books that explore race and identity
-Complicated mother/daughter relationships

CW: discussions about abortion, racism, police brutality, loss of a child, sexual assault, death of a parent, COVID pandemic

The sense of belonging we all hope to find but some of us have it stripped from us because of who we are and what we look like.

This book will eat at your heartstrings while taking such a hard look at who we are and what biases we posses. What does it mean to be a mother? What does it mean to be black? What does it mean to protect your family? There are so many poignant questions asked in this book, that a reader can't help but be reflective and introspective on the ways in which we live in society.

This is a multi-POV and multi-timeline book which keeps the reader engaged throughout. The characters are deeply complex and also products of a deeply racist societal structure. It's so deeply personal that I felt compelled to tears during reading. There are so many moments when all it lost except hope. We cling to it while still trying to find a place to belong.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC of this absolutely phenomenal book.

Spanning multiple timelines and mother's stories and touching on a lot of heavy themes, We Rip the World Apart would be a great book for a Book Club or a book discussion. I especially liked the historical timeline.

‘We Rip the World Apart’ weaves together alternating timelines and perspectives to follow three women: Violet, the matriarch of a family; her daughter-in-law Evelyn, a white woman; and Kareela, Evelyn’s estranged daughter. We also follow Evelyn’s husband, Kingsley, a Black Jamaican man as they raise their mixed-race children, Kareela and Antony, in Canada after fleeing Jamaica in the 90s due to political violence. Early in the story we learn that Antony is tragically killed by police in Toronto while participating in a Black Lives Matter rally, setting the stage for a multi-generational exploration of grief, identity, and family. The narrative unfolds as the family grapples with loss and struggles to understand their place in a society that perpetually marginalizes them.⁠
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Carr’s novel is a deeply emotional journey, confronting issues of racism, trauma, and belonging with sensitivity and depth. It’s a story that, at times, feels like it’s tearing your heart apart, yet, it’s one that demands to be read.⁠
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Books like this, even if fictional, are vital because they offer a space for empathy, allowing us to see each other through a shared, human lens. In times of rising hatred and division, we must embrace stories like this to counteract the darkness with compassion and love. Grab your tissues because this one will make you shed a few tears.

A beautifully written and emotional, poignant tale filled with grief and immense heartbreak. The story has torn my emotions into tiny pieces. It's characters face much turmoil and I felt every challenge that they braved. The captivating story is moving, touching and leaves you with a lot to think about. It's about family, racism, grief, motherhood and finding your own true self. It moved me in a way that no other book has and it's thought provoking!

I was not prepared for the emotions that this book brought out of me. It is sooo beautifully written. This is my first book by this author, and would LOVE to read more of her work. It deals with alot of issues that sadly aren't talked about enough. Keep up the good work.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

This is such a beautifully written story with an important message. It's emotionally charged and impactful, covering issues of motherhood, loss, racism, grief, and trauma. The story unfolds through the perspectives of three generations of women, each grappling with their own struggles and interconnected lives.

The narrative dives into the lives of a grandmother, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter, exploring how significant events shape their relationships and influence their views. As these women navigate their individual and shared experiences, the book tackles heavy topics such as racism, abuse, alcoholism, masking, abortion, sexual assault, and police brutality. Despite these challenges, it emphasizes the complexities of love and the effort required to understand and support one another within a family.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was an amazing book that deals with issues of race in Canada, including BLM, and how racial injustices drastically changed the course of the lives of everyone in a multi-racial family.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****