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taliatalksbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
tanwe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Abortion, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Suicide
lilyblum's review against another edition
3.0
I felt so sorry for Edie and I would not have been able to handle her life circumstances. So in a sense this book was written so well that it made me feel a lot, even if negative emotions. Edie reminded me of that one woman in Cleopatra and Frankenstein and the dreamlike story telling of the one in Hot Milk. Messy, flawed and broken female characters seem to be on my radar lately. I despised Eric and felt ambiguous about Rebecca -as you are supposed to probably- but felt so much gentleness for Akila.
A short and confusing read, not sure if I’d recommend it but definitely look up trigger warnings in advance!!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Drug use, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Pregnancy
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Police brutality
whoisrois's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Suicide, Police brutality, Abortion, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
risqkae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, and Abandonment
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Luster" follows a young twenty-something Edie as she tries to make it in her life. Edie's life seems to be crashing down around her as she is trying to build a name for herself. The only good part of her day is painting, and the married man she has just started seeing, Eric. Eric has an open marriage with his wife and has a teenage daughter. When Edie really hits rock bottom and moves in temporarily with Eric's family while he is on a business trip, her life really becomes wild.
This novel eloquently explores the difficulties women face, especially black women, when they are first starting out in their life. Edie just does not seem to be able to catch a break, and she does not want to rely on Eric or his family, but she really does not have many options.
One aspect of the book I really enjoyed was Edie's relationship with Eric's daughter. Eric's daughter was adopted and is a black girl being raised by white parents. Although Eric and his wife love their daughter, there are just things they do not know, and it is difficult for them to always care for her in the best ways. Edie really steps up as an almost guide and helps the girl come into her own and embrace her blackness. I think this was great to see as a character growth, but I think this also helped Edie with her own life.
Edie is ruthless in her attempts to make it on her own. For example, when she needs to find a new job and nothing is panning out, she gets a bike and delivers food to people. She knows how to scrap by and hustle, but she also knows how to practice self-care and not run herself into the ground. Painting is her release, and she continues to allow herself to indulge in this to maintain her sanity.
I think this is an exceptional debut that explores how difficult it can be to start out in life. I definitely recommend this to anyone struggling to find who they are and who they want to be.
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Miscarriage, Racism, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
kalyaniwarrier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Let me go through the positives first: the novel focuses on underlying themes of racism and the struggles of the African-American community in a predominantly white neighbourhood. There is a relatability that can be found when the protagonist, Eddie appears to have problems that the youth of today face such as body shaming, lack of self-esteem, and hyper-fixating on the future.
But apart from these positives, the negatives weigh heavier: the plot involves polygamy in incomplete consensual manner, and presents weird living arrangements that question morality. The plot does not necessarily move forward, as the characters seem to be stuck in a loop of choices that prevents any major advancements in the plot. The characters do not seem to have no clear personality; it's not necessary for characters to have full-round personalities, but the plot, in my opinion, has no significant substance, therefore, it would have been better to have some improvement with the characters; to me, the characters kind of felt robotic.
Overall, it is not a bad book - a pretty average read.
Graphic: Addiction, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Racism
Minor: Body shaming
jkreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual content, Blood, Abortion, and Abandonment
growplantsreadbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Messy messy mess!!! So dark, so funny, (so relatable). My heart aches for the daughter character.
Can't wait to see where this author goes next!
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts