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kmshobbs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Abandonment
rieviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
From a narrative standpoint, I think that Saul's story was very well structured and paced; also, his voice and emotional landscape were explored and captured on the page very vividly and movingly.
The writing is quite understated and matter-of-fact, and while I didn't mind this pared-back style and still found it impactful, it might not click with you if you usually prefer something more flowery and elaborate.
As you progress with the narration, you understand more and more clearly the significant role that hockey plays in Saul's personal journey. Still, I'm not really a sports person and, in all honesty, the parts with more detailed descriptions were not the most interesting to get through.
This is a very heart-wrenching book and it does not shy away from depicting horrific child abuse and its lasting impact or the pervasive societal racism, but it never does so gratuitously.
Despite all, it still ends on a hopeful note, focusing on the possibility of recovery and the healing force of a supportive community.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, and Abandonment
bookish_growler's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
wifeslife's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
pickett22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
julienicole1106's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Excrement, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lynneliu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness and Death of parent
maggieed'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Grief
maryjames's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Rape, and Death of parent