maxoliveira's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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? No
3.0
meganmalloy's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
seaswift14's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
‘A small delight, another lovely and brutal glimpse of female subtext, of the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters in a cruel and indifferent world.’
New York Times
‘Surreal and brilliant’
Times Literary Supplement
‘[An] unnerving little gem…Anyone who has suffered the pain of being cast aside in favour of a new love object will relate.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘A book that will charm younger and older readers alike.’
BookMooch
‘One for kids–probably older ones–who are fascinated by the morbid, the macabre and the ever-so-slightly strange…Cerri’s full-colour illustrations are bewitching; the story has poignant moments and, thankfully, a happy ending.’
New Zealand Herald
New York Times
‘Surreal and brilliant’
Times Literary Supplement
‘[An] unnerving little gem…Anyone who has suffered the pain of being cast aside in favour of a new love object will relate.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘A book that will charm younger and older readers alike.’
BookMooch
‘One for kids–probably older ones–who are fascinated by the morbid, the macabre and the ever-so-slightly strange…Cerri’s full-colour illustrations are bewitching; the story has poignant moments and, thankfully, a happy ending.’
New Zealand Herald
jerrylwei's review against another edition
4.0
Short and *slightly* sweet. The book hits many Ferrante themes: childhood, dolls, names, who gets to speak and who gets to tell their story. There is a dark, menacing quality to the book.
lydiature_'s review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a really quick and creepy read! at the onset , you can tell it’s a ferrante book because her fever-like and raw writing style is apparent. i didn’t think that a “children’s” book could be this interesting and disturbing, but here i am 🧍🏾♀️
like other reviewers have stated, i’m not really sure what the age demographic is. it’s a little too dark for young kids. the language choice is too simplistic for adults. plus, there are illustrations (and they added to the whole disturbing vibe). i personally liked the story a lot and the themes addressed, but i can see why someone wouldn’t like it. it’s less cohesive and focused compared to ferrante’s other books.
if you enjoyed “coraline” or other creepy stories for children, you’ll probably like this one.
like other reviewers have stated, i’m not really sure what the age demographic is. it’s a little too dark for young kids. the language choice is too simplistic for adults. plus, there are illustrations (and they added to the whole disturbing vibe). i personally liked the story a lot and the themes addressed, but i can see why someone wouldn’t like it. it’s less cohesive and focused compared to ferrante’s other books.
if you enjoyed “coraline” or other creepy stories for children, you’ll probably like this one.