moodreader89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
beeeverly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Hate crime, Racism, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
serendipitysbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a book I really enjoyed. Ella was such an engaging character, intelligent and curious, but having to deal with a lot of issues I wish children didn’t have to face. The setting was well drawn and some of the secondary characters like elderly Mr Macabe and Nate, owner of the Black diner, were wise and delightful. The book covers many themes - racism, colorism, child abuse, mental health, father-daughter relationships, and coming of age, and it does them all well. One thing that really stood out for me was the character of Katherine St James. It’s impossible to discuss her without getting in to spoiler territory. What I will say is that she is a white woman with a complicated history who wanted to overcome her past and do better, and probably believed she was. Nkrumah portrayed her with so much nuance, providing background to put her actions in context, but neither excusing not condemning her, simply presenting her and her actions as they were - those of a flawed woman who was trying but not succeeding at being better; deluding herself and damaging others along the way. It was fascinating watching her wrestle with her conscience, and try to justify actions, thoughts and beliefs. At one level this book was exploring the long tail of racism and the difficulty surmounting it. It was set in 1982 but felt very relevant to more recent events. Katherine St. James’s legacy can surely be seen in the many white people who feel that not being openly, blatantly racist is enough and struggle with the concepts of micro aggressions, anti-racism, and becoming an ally.
“The only things I can see are good people, bad people, and those in between. The bad ones you can easily avoid, but those in between people are the worst because you never know whe when they’ll help you up and when they’ll kick you in the teeth.”
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Murder, and Slavery
emyrogers's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Hate crime, Murder, Pedophilia, Slavery, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Rape
cc_shelflove's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Slavery, Cursing, Racial slurs, Murder, Sexual content, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Self harm, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
kathrynclaire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Slavery, Classism, Violence, and Sexual assault
Racial violencejoyfulfoodie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death, Racism, Rape, Murder, Hate crime, Slavery, Classism, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Blood, Infidelity, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Police brutality
Minor: Antisemitism