Far-fetched coincidences with an incident which changed everything that didn’t quite ring true with a glib ending.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Joanna Glen has weaved a really intricate and endearing story through Augusta Hope. I didnt enjoy the dual POVs but to be honest it helped make this story more impactful. I don't believe the book needed it's length as I became disinterested when I hit a lull half way through.
After powering on though, I did enjoy the book overall, I just didn't love it.

The Other Half of Augusta Hope is a novel that explores the complex relationship between two sisters, Augusta and Julia Hope. The story is told from the perspective of Augusta, who is reserved and introspective, as she tries to come to terms with the loss of her parents.

Overall, I found the pace of the book a little too slow for my liking - the plot took a long time to develop. As the story unravelled, it felt a bit too predictable, and I thought of several other books which had taken on a similar character journey. Augusta is an interesting protagonist, but there just wasn't enough drive to keep me interested. I also felt the reliance on metaphors was a little heavy-handed.

What an interesting book, and so confident and deft. I was shocked to learn it was a debut. There's definite shades of Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, and the characterisation is beautiful. I'll definitely check out future books but Joanna Glen.

Simply just loved this book! Stunningly beautiful, fantastically written, wonderful characters and thought provoking! Easily 5 stars

Actual rating: 3.5/5

It took me a while to get to this book, so that once I did I had basically forgotten the synopsis entirely and went in almost completely blind. I have to say, it was probably for the best, as I probably would have ended up expecting something different!

The Other Half of Augusta Hope is a bittersweet story about love, grief and finding your place in the world. Augusta is an endearing main character, even though she's not always likeable (but then again, who is?). She is brilliant and curious about the world, loves Burundi despite having never been there, and struggles greatly with life in her small town, despite her deep, deep love for her twin sister Julia. In parallel, the story follows Parfait, a young man from Burundi whose life is very different from Augusta's. When tragedy strikes both of them differently, each will have to work out where they belong.

I really liked the characterisation in this novel: every character was beautifully drawn, imperfections and all, and felt like truly individual, even the minor characters. The characters' feelings and emotions were particularly well fleshed out, which is something I always appreciate. The parallels between Augusta's and Parfait's lives flowed smoothly for most of the novel, and the transitions were handled very well. There were a few times when the move felt a bit clunky, but overall these were few and far between enough to ignore. The story development was engaging, though I won't go into too much more detail to avoid potential spoilers. I will say though: that ending was everything!

I had some issues with the pacing in this book though: at times it felt like it was really dragging along and not much was happening either in terms of plot or character development. The parts where things got moving made up for this, but it was still tough to wade through those parts. There was also a heavy reliance on miscommunication/lack of communication as a plot device, which is something I personally dislike, so my enjoyment of this novel was affected by how annoyed I was getting at the characters for not talking to each other. This is purely down to personal preference though!

Overall, this book was fairly engaging to read and definitely had some memorable characters. I'll be looking out for more books by this author!

How has it taken me this long to read this novel?!

Augusta Hope had always been different to other little girls - she has been devouring information ever since she can remember. Naturally that didn't make her the most popular person at school, and she finds that she never truly fits in. Her beloved twin, Julia, couldn't have been more different; sociable, lots of friends, a boyfriend - and an unwavering love for her sister Augusta.

When tragedy strikes her family, Augusta finds herself feeling more lost than ever. Her childhood fascination with the country of Burundi may just lead her to find her place in the world.

This is a dual story novel - Augusta Hope is of course our main character, but we also find ourselves following Parfait, a young man from Burundi who has to navigate a very different world to the one that Augusta finds herself in. This is a rich story of love, life, tragedy and overcoming adversity. Two wildly different stories interwoven together, it really draws you in. Neither Augusta or Parfait are characters that I can relate to in my every day life that but that doesn't stop you wanting more for them both. I was utterly engrossed in this novel from start to finish - the characterisation is excellent, and the dual storyline means you really get to immerse yourself in two worlds that are so distant from one another yet so perfectly linked. My first thought when reading about Augusta was Eleanor Oliphant - I can definitely see a parallel between these two quirky, awkward characters. That's where the comparison ends though, with this novel focusing on love, grief and really finding your own path in life.

I have no hesitation in recommending this novel - it is not a light, easy read but it is a novel that really seeks to immerse you in the story of these two rich characters. Let yourself be drawn into their stories, and let me know what you think!

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

Wow, this was the book to finally get me out of my reading slump.
Beautiful writing and a beautiful story. Well two stories, which become one story.
I loved Augusta's character, and the way we watch her grow from childhood, into adulthood. There was so much of her character I could relate too, she seemed so much more real than most characters you read about in books. I especially the little details, like writing on her converse trainers, which I had completely forgotten was ever a thing!
Highly recommend this sad but beautiful book

Unfortunately this book just did not grip me and I did not finish it. Other readers may enjoy this one more

A great read, told by Augusta and Parfait as they grow up in totally different environments, and then meet in Spain.

This is a wonderful story, beautifully told. It is all of life, everyone you know and the deepest part of yourself rolled into a single narrative.

Fantastically written - I didn't want it to end. It's hard to write a review without giving too much away but Augusta Hope was just the perfect bedtime read. The mystery and intrigue, the cold hard facts - and the characterisation! I believed in every one of Glen's characters, even if I didn't like them, and felt like I wanted to ask them about things going on in my own life.
Joanna Glen is definitely one to watch out for!

I can’t review this book because I never read more than a few chapters... it was too different to what I thought it would be and I just couldn’t give it more of a chance because it’s not like what I usually read either.

I am in charge of the senior library and work with a group of Reading Ambassadors from 16-18 to ensure that our boarding school library is modernised and meets the need of both our senior students and staff. It has been great to have the chance to talk about these books with our seniors and discuss what they want and need on their shelves. I was drawn to his book because I thought it would be something different from the usual school library fare and draw the students in with a tempting storyline and lots to discuss.
This book was a really enjoyable read with strong characters and a real sense of time and place. I enjoyed the ways that it maintained a cracking pace that kept me turning its pages and ensured that I had much to discuss with them after finishing. It was not only a lively and enjoyable novel but had lots of contemporary themes for our book group to pick up and spend hours discussing too.
I think it's important to choose books that interest as well as challenge our students and I can see this book being very popular with students and staff alike; this will be an excellent purchase as it has everything that we look for in a great read - a tempting premise, fantastic characters and a plot that keeps you gripped until you close its final page.

Augusta is a weird child, always receiving odd looks from her family and her neighbours. Julia, her sister, born one day before her on the 31s July, is the normal one, the sweet one, the one her parents favour. Augusta loves words, and learning things, and can't wait to leave her tiny hometown for the rest of the world. And so she does, as soon as she can. Firstly for uni, and then forever, when tragedy strikes and Augusta doesn't know how to stay at home anymore. As she grieves and tries to move on, she learns about her families past and the things they've done which haunts them. And they start to haunt her too.

I ADORED it.

Firstly, the narrator of the audiobook (Augusta's chapters at least), Stephanie Racine was so utterly perfect. I feel like she really captured Augusta's spirit and her emotion and I am so very glad I listened to the audiobook of this to experience it the way I did. Jude Owusu narrated Parfait, who has alternating chapters, and is a young boy in Burundi who makes the perilous journey to Spain, to the same town where Augusta and her family holiday when she is a child. Miraculously, their paths cross, but in unthinkable ways. Again, Jude portrayed Parfait with real heart and love and I really enjoyed his chapters too.

Augusta really captured my heart though. There was something so enchanting about reading about her life, how she was so very different to me, but also, so very similar.

This book is full of emotion, and those small moments in life that make you so incredibly sad. It's also about the tiny moments that make you happy. It's about the small stuff, the mundane, but it's about beloning, family, feeling at home, trying new things. This book covers so much of Augusta's life, but there is so much detail contained within the pages. At the same time, we are learning about Parfait, the horrors he has seen, the losses he has suffered, but the joy he still finds in life, the hope he clings onto. As Parfait flees Burundi, his path is full of obstacles, but it is with determination and passion that he faces these, and the end result is an uplifting and heartwarming tale of resilience and connection.

After finishing this book, I immediately went out and bought a physical copy, because I know I will be rereading this many many times again. An absolutely gorgeous book that I will be recommending to everyone!

Very well written, and beautifully told. Keeps you enthralled and tied up in the characters right to the end. An enjoyable read, right to the end.

My expectations were too high and were a disservice to the book. I enjoyed it but will not remember much in a while.

In England, a young girl, Augusta, is growing up in relative comfort and privilege.

On the other side of the world in Burundi, a young boy, Parfait, grows up in poverty and fear.

The book tells the parallel stories of these two very different people as they travel the world each hoping to find something that is missing.

The story is beautifully written, and utterly compelling, with a warmth and gentle humour that flows through the pages. The parallel narrative is well plotted and cleverly done. It really helps to highlight the fundamental differences in the troubles facing both characters.

The two narrators are very engaging characters. There have been a number of books over the past few years featuring quirky protagonists and Augusta falls firmly within that category - she reads the dictionary, is inquisitive to the point of being a nuisance and generally feels that she does not belong in her small town life. I felt for Augusta and understood her loneliness. She dreams of exotic faraway lands and a more colourful life. I enjoyed witnessing the development of Augusta's character as she heads out to make her own path in the world.  Parfait, in comparison, dreams of peace and freedom. Born into poverty and living in the midst of a civil war, he holds on to the hope of crossing the ocean and finding safety for his family. Both characters display a curiosity and a courage that will appeal to the reader.

The story is observant and interesting. It considers the bond of sisterhood, family ties and friendship. It also explores some heavy themes such as war, death, grief, guilt and disability. It sensitively tells of Parfait's difficult and sometimes heart-breaking experiences as a refugee looking to make a better life for himself and his siblings - a particularly emotive and thought-provoking subject. 

All in all, The Other Half of Augusta Hope is a joy to read. It veers from sadness and tragedy to happiness and humour, taking the reader on an emotional and engrossing journey.  It  is an evocative story of bravery, hope and love. An accomplished debut from Joanna Glen and one which I am happy to recommend.