eirianz'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? It's complicated
5.0
So many twists and turns; the plot unleashes emotional turbulence like nothing else. The characters are fantastic - so much depth and subtlety. The perspective-play is rewarding.
I cannot recommend this book enough!
Moderate: Death, Bullying, Ableism, Blood, and Child abuse
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wasn't on board with the perspective change mid-book during reading it but now recognize the complexity it allowed the book to portray.
It really kept me guessing and kept me invested in Sue's and Maud's life. The twists and turns and the character development had me picturing this as a movie in my mind.
It's really giving on so many fronts: there's a queer love story, a betrayal plot, a mystery, mistaken identities, an asylum, a murder.
This is definitely for fans of Frannie Langton and Sally Lockhart.
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Medical trauma, Confinement, Alcohol, Classism, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Transphobia
auri_underthing's review
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
anacereading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
Minor: Vomit
kpwxx's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Outing, Violence, Abandonment, Ableism, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexism, Grief, Torture, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Child death, Animal death, Rape, Self harm, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Stalking, Dementia, Deportation, and Eating disorder
bruisedtigers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I understand why some people would find it slow or hard to get through. It did drag in certain spots, and likely could've been edited down. However, I adored all of these characters, the twists and turns, and felt so much of it in my gut.
Graphic: Confinement, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, Sexual content, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization
zoiejanelle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i definitely would have enjoyed this more if i read a physical copy, but the audiobook was also very good!
this is a fantastic lesbian classic that really appealed to my historical fiction fan brain. the details of the culture/customs era and setting were really fun and added some levity to the darker plots.
Sue’s perspective in parts one and the end of part three were hilarious, but the scenes at the asylum were honestly nauseating at times. Maud’s point of view was less funny, more thoughtful and romantic. I loved that she had feelings for Sue before Sue realized her own feelings.
several of the plot twists were brutal, though i admit i spoiled many of them through impatient googling. the pacing was about right, and the romantic element kept me on my toes the entire time. although i really liked living in each character’s head, some parts did drag on and on, which is why this only gets a 4/5 from me.
overall, i enjoyed the complexity of how each woman felt about themselves and each other, their clear motivations, their unique histories, and their satisfying, poetic ending.
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Ableism, Child death, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Grief
clovelatte's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Ableism, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Pregnancy, Addiction, Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexism, Violence, and Abandonment
garibae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Confinement, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Murder