bluenarcissus'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
5.0
Spoiler
I knew right away that this book would end with the star’s assisted suicide, and I want to emphasize that this is not a weakness or a flaw in this book. Being able to guess the resolution to a mystery simply means that one has correctly picked up on the author’s cues, that we both played our parts. It felt earned, like every good ending. Especially since, like Monique,In addition to its compelling heroines and excellent storytellIng, I’m rating this 5 stars because I so appreciated the complex representation of
Spoiler
queerness. Still women with a lot of privilege, mind, steeped in the self-centered glamour we might expect. But the abiding and contradictory love of two women and how they navigated it, and failed to… The wish and fear to give your all and show it to a world that might instantly reject you… I have felt that, in my own insignificant way. I have hidden from myself and the world be of the certainty I would be thrown away for who I am. It’s oddly impressive to feel so seen in a story so unlike my own.This is a powerful, imperfect, complicated book.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Cancer
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, and Biphobia
Minor: Abortion
mesta'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
kudos
Graphic: Grief, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Death, Cancer, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Moderate: Car accident, Suicide, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Biphobia
Minor: Abortion
smchampz's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Car accident and Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer and Abortion
jijithejo'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
2.75
Graphic: Abortion, Death of parent, and Death
tinyflame4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Suicide, Abortion, Cancer, Car accident, and Death
hayley98'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: Homophobia
Moderate: Abortion and Alcoholism
Minor: Blood
cheye13'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
3.0
For a story about the golden age of Hollywood, and for a story spanning decades, the narrative felt very unrooted from the time to me. I couldn't tell which decade we were in until Evelyn made a pointed comment, and when the time is the story, I'd rather it be more immersive. I also found the interviewer's storyline very weak and paint-by-numbers. The end also felt like a cop-out.
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, Biphobia, Cancer, Child death, and Infidelity
Minor: Classism, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Abortion, Infertility, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
kaynic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Car accident, Bullying, Biphobia, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Abortion, Misogyny, Child abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Miscarriage, and Addiction
sophie_hans's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abortion
rodent_scribbles'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
I was not a big fan of the voice in Monique's POV, especially at the beginning, but don't let that put you off. Once Evelyn starts talking, the pages just fly by.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Death, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Car accident, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Abortion