Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

10 reviews

micaelamariem's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• 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

3.0

I did not know about the controversy around the author when I picked up this book so this review is solely about the book and not the author.
It was an okay read. Definitely quick and easy to read. I liked the exploration of what it means to be Native American and how the individual is always struggling with the community. There was some stuff that was uncomfortable—I can see why it’s a banned book—and some issues I wish were addressed better than they were, but overall it was an enjoyable read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Racism, Suicide, Bullying, Car accident, Colonisation, Alcohol, Death, Blood, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Violence, Vomit, Ableism, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Cultural appropriation

rhiannon814r's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Death, Alcoholism, and Grief

Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Animal death, Genocide, Bullying, Car accident, and Child abuse

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

brookey8888's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• 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

3.5

I appreciated this book, but I’m not the target audience. I just can’t stand teenage boy humor and this book is full of it(which is fine because that’s the target demographic). I did love the discussion about the cycles they face and talk about friendships and race. I think this is a good book for discussion and learning for kids. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Colonisation, Cursing, Death of parent, Bullying, Classism, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Alcohol, Death, Car accident, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Classism, Cursing, Alcohol, Grief, Bullying, Alcoholism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Vomit and Religious bigotry

Minor: Homophobia, Murder, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Eating disorder, Gun violence, and Suicide

directorpurry's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Violence, Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Car accident, Classism, Drug abuse, Racism, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Suicide, and Body shaming

Minor: Colonisation

sophietoes's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Alcoholism, Ableism, Bullying, and Death

Minor: Car accident

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

• 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? N/A

4.0

 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by the one and only Sherman Alexie was a quick, one day read. When I picked this up, I didn’t expect to fly through it, but the comedic/casual tone for such serious topics really drew me in and propelled me forward. Though it’s not a long book, I think it handles really important and intricate topics through the lens’s of a child trying to better himself. Though some moments can be a little harsh, I think this is a great read for young adults, especially those who have limited to no knowledge about the issues that can plague life on native reservations, including poverty and addiction. Overall, I really enjoyed this read, and I think you will, too, despite the language being a bit dated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Addiction

vixenreader's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

With the allegations against Sherman Alexie, this book may be forever tainted by his legacy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Ableism, Mental illness, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and Classism

Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Cursing, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Blood, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Abandonment and Medical content

There is also death of and , as well as a huge focus on the effects and shame of poverty.

jhbandcats's review

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• 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

5.0

A devastating semi-autobiographical story of a teenaged Spokane Indian who leaves the reservation to break out of the rez cycle of poverty and alcoholism. 

This book isn’t very long and it’s very funny, and it has short chapters that move really quickly - but it seemed to take me forever to finish it. I’d put it down and then I’d procrastinate rather than reading more. It was because it’s about the most painful story I’ve read in I don’t know how long. It would be sad enough anyway, but the fact that it’s based on Alexie’s experiences makes it heartbreaking. 

I know about Alexie’s sexual abuse of women and the harm that he caused. That infuriates me. For someone so talented and so representative of a minority to take advantage of his position in this way is worse than appalling because it gives a bad name to all in that minority. In addition to my anger, I have mixed feelings about recommending his book. It’s the same with Woody Allen and Roman Polanski movies - how do you separate the reprehensible artist from the spectacular art? Is that even possible? 

I don’t know the answer. I just know that this was a phenomenal book that makes me want to read everything else by Sherman Alexie. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Classism, Grief, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Colonisation

michaelion's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• 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

3.25

I started and finished this book in 6 hours. Now why did it take us like 2 weeks to read it in high school? That's how you know high school is an evil place! Insufferable institution!

Great book, though. I'm glad I reread it.

But I had to take away points for use of the n word. Like damn even if it's not from our main character, it's very disappointing the author wrote that in.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Ableism, Death, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Medical content, Grief, Homophobia, Child death, Addiction, Racism, Xenophobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Genocide, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcoholism

Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Eating disorder