56 pages • 1 hour read
Dionne BrandWhat We All Long For
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
What We All Long For by Dionne Brand intertwines the lives of four young friends in Toronto as they grapple with their identities as queer individuals, people of color, and children of immigrants. Tuyen, an artist, struggles with her family’s search for her long-lost brother Quy. Carla deals with her brother Jamal’s legal troubles, Oku navigates life after dropping out of grad school, and Jackie manages her boutique and relationships. Sensitive themes that appear in the book include the loss of a child and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dionne Brand’s What We All Long For is celebrated for its lyrical prose and compelling depiction of multicultural Toronto, its characters revealing the nuances of immigrant experiences. However, some critics note the complexity of its narrative structures may deter general readers. Overall, it remains a poignant exploration of identity and belonging.
Who Should Read What We All Long For?
A reader who enjoys exploring themes of identity, immigration, and urban life will appreciate What We All Long For by Dionne Brand. This novel appeals to fans of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth or Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, as it delves into diverse, multicultural experiences set in Toronto.