Reviews

Such an incredibly difficult book to read and review. It would have been interesting to come across this book without knowing its background (if you don't know it, read and then look it up), but knowing what I do made the graphic abuse scenes even harder to read. What kind of a mind makes these things up? Did she make them up...?
At points I considered giving up because the abuse is so distressing to read. I'm very much in favour of readers facing up to uncomfortable truths, but the perspectives at certain points were beyond discomfort. I couldn't give up though. The writing is incredible : despite the darkness and bleakness of the topic, it's incredibly compelling. Not for the faint of heart, but worthy of the adulation. I don't know enough to pass judgement on whether it's torture porn, but be warned.

Content Warnings

casspro's review against another edition

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4.0

Think of this as the darker, angrier, more heart wrenching, dysfunctional cousin to Janet Fitch's "White Oleander". A sad conglomeration of tales from a poor boy's maladjusted childhood. It's so brutally beautiful and shocking, it's not unusual to have to stop in between chapters to take a moment for reflection. This is not one of those stories that end happily or things seem to look up for the main character. But man does it have one hell of a ride.

oceanbreeze1111's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad tense

2.0

jupen's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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