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valeriabee's review
- 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
5.0
The book walks the line between memoir and novelization, reminding me a bit of Capote's In Cold Blood. It was stylistically reminiscent of Toni Morrison's Beloved, in particular the tone and the use of magical realism.
I loved the way the narration of this novel played with time. There were many instances in which Echo is recounting the details of various moments at the same time, as if they are happening at the same time. The style and format reminded me of cuts in movie scenes where it jumps from one scene to another by panning similar environments or movements. Or when two different conversations are being had in a movie and the scene jumps between them smoothly by connecting their words so it is as if the dialogues complete each other whilst being completely independent of one another. The fact that Brown created that visual effect in literature is astounding and incredibly powerful.
I love this book for its style and for its content. I love that it is set up in lessons and each chapter could be a stand-alone, it could be a short story but they work together to tell Echo's story. I love that the book is not shy, the characters are not shy. It is all very real and very forward and written so beautifully.
I found myself thinking about the ways that this book could be taught in the classroom, especially because of the way it is chaptered off and written into lessons, one wouldnt have to use the whole book (because you know how some schools are mad sensitive about the content they share with their students despite their willingness to require books about white supremacy, imperialism, and the enslavement of black people).
One of the most appealing things about this book is that it dares to show the bad with the good, show that greatness can be achieved. It provides hope whilst remaining honest about the pain.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
readandfindout's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Themes: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
teri_reads'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Rape
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
samvanz12's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
beauty_andbooks's review
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
rachelsbusyreading's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Mental illness
Minor: Death
booksteaandchocolate's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The content is very serious. I knew what this book was about and knew it could be very difficult for me to read with the triggers in it, but felt it was a story that I needed to know. I'm glad I pushed myself even with my struggle. I had to give myself what I refer to trigger breaks to keep myself reading. If you have anxieties like me or have problems with triggers (such as, drug usage, alchoholism, abuse, rape, talks of suicide, and near death experiences) please try to push through to the end. It is genuinely worth the read.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts