jg34's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Dementia, and Death
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Vomit, Xenophobia, Medical content, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Certainly some violence and injuries described in some detail. This is about a circus so some animal cruelty should be expectedbookcaptivated's review
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Death, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Murder, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Excrement, Antisemitism, Confinement, Ableism, Fatphobia, Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Dementia, Misogyny, Racism, Trafficking, and Death of parent
veronicachp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book has been on my TBR for literally 10 years, and on my bookshelf at home for jist about as long. I honestly assumed I wasn't going to like it and kept putting off reading it, so consider me pleasantly surprised. My main gripes are that a lot of the "gritty" scenes and dialogue feel like they're tossed in there for shock value and not really blended in, and I wish there was a little more emotional development for everyone. The whole novel, including some pretty major character deaths, just reads as kind of stiff, impassive. I would have liked for there to be a little more insight to the characters reacting/processing things and some more focus on the side characters. BUT since it is written from Jacob's perspective and he is not omniscient I can somewhat forgive the whole book being the Jacob and Marlena show. Also TW: If you, like me, struggle with emetophobia, many scenes in this book will make you uncomfortable. Lotta throwing up in this bad boy.
Graphic: Vomit and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Murder
planetshelf'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
The way Jacob — 90 (or 93) — is written is wonderful. I don’t know exactly what elders think, but I grew up with grandparents as my guardians and I feel an oddly sentimental connection with the more utilitarian thoughts that were written.
I feel this may be worth mentioning: the author uses non-colloquial vocabulary when referring to a body. If that might be uncomfortable for you, you probably should let this one go.
Nonetheless, I liked it and thought it was a fun journey to read.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Rape, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Death, Animal death, Infidelity, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Blood, Car accident, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
cammiem8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Sexual content, Racial slurs, Classism, Death of parent, Murder, Antisemitism, Cursing, Car accident, and Gore
Minor: Sexual harassment, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Animal abuse is constant in the book, but it is very clearly condemned by the protagonisttisdianes's review
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Racial slurs
Biblicalreya145's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Vomit, and Domestic abuse
longlostmarchsister's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit and Animal cruelty
elthechameleon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Spoiler
This author didn't treat any of its characters well. Jacob and Marlena are positioned as the two most important, while Walter and Camel don't get any fully-fleshed out stories. Their deaths were shocking, quick, and poorly done. It was truly frustrating, especially with the overwhelming attitude of privilege of Jacob Jankowski.Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Vomit, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident and Dementia