woolgatherer's review against another edition
2.0
My opinion certainly changed, but it was for the worse. This book did not age well by any means with all its racism, ableism, and classism. Tartt certainly writes with eloquence, but her writing is steeped with issues that left me cringing and frustrated. Something that caught my attention was the near absence of nonwhite characters in New York City, of all places, unless they were "the help." I'm not sure how I didn't catch this years ago, considering how glaring these details were.
I also found it even harder to sympathize with the protagonist, Theo, during this reread. The messiness of grief was well presented—even if it was a bit extreme with the addiction and alcoholism—but I was really unhappy with how Tartt went about Theo's relationships in such a dismissive way. He was so wrapped up in his own world that it negatively affected how he treated the people around him. Pippa is objectified in a Manic Pixie Dream Girl kind of way, while Kitsy was treated terribly. The queer experience that Theo had with Boris also went completely unaddressed, which makes me wonder why Tartt bothered adding this detail other than to shock the reader.
A disappointing reread, to say the least.
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Grief
Moderate: Classism, Racism, Ableism, and Bullying
Minor: Child abuse
venice_the_vampire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment
lily_eames'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
glasshalffull713'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: Abandonment, Violence, Murder, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
azureumbreon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Child abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
vinniee'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: Violence and Drug use
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
httpspuppy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
this book follows a painting but with the help of this stolen painting we discover theos life. we struggle with him throughout his childhood and teenage years, and adulthood. we grow up with this character and learn to love his flaws as they are.
i must admit i like movie boris so much more, he is not problematic and not a terrible person.
it took my quite a few months to finally finish this book but it was so worth it, every single part of it.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Racial slurs, Drug use, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
maedavage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Drug use, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
syd4panda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Death of parent, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Vomit
ellieisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Mental illness