carolbsmith's review against another edition
4.0
This book was difficult to read, and even more difficult to put down.
sullyvan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
ob_ledbetter's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This book haunted me and I’m sure will continue to do so. This is a must read as it captures poverty, the Deep South, and the grief attached to racial violence so well. I only subtracted a star because I wanted more character development, but don’t let that sway you. This is a must.
tayloreve07's review against another edition
I quite liked it. Some of the mystical elements were sometimes a little confusing for me but I thought they added to the story so I enjoyed it. Beautiful writing
almo389's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
2.75
something about this doesn’t quite feel complete. maybe it just wasn’t for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Grief
alanathehangry's review against another edition
5.0
What a heavy, heart-wrenching, important book. The writing was devastatingly beautiful. Ward was careful with her writing, used images that tied directly to the characters, their environment, their emotional state, or the political state of systematic racism. It seemed to pour right from her gut, from the characters' guts, punching into my gut.
The plot was captivating, if sometimes hard to bear regarding characters' choices. I wanted to scream at them, sometimes, tell them not to fall back into the same mistakes again and again. I loved JoJo and his fierce love for his sister, his desire for the truth, his quiet strength.
This book is important. It's intense. It's beautiful. It's devastating. It's poetic. But it's important. It paints the story of a family broken by racism, by violence, by the slavery by which our country grew. It paints it with blood and you feel every cut. Every American should read this. Slavery wasn't long ago and the racism that flourished under that abomination still rages rampant, perhaps under a nicer-looking visage.
The plot was captivating, if sometimes hard to bear regarding characters' choices. I wanted to scream at them, sometimes, tell them not to fall back into the same mistakes again and again. I loved JoJo and his fierce love for his sister, his desire for the truth, his quiet strength.
This book is important. It's intense. It's beautiful. It's devastating. It's poetic. But it's important. It paints the story of a family broken by racism, by violence, by the slavery by which our country grew. It paints it with blood and you feel every cut. Every American should read this. Slavery wasn't long ago and the racism that flourished under that abomination still rages rampant, perhaps under a nicer-looking visage.
pinkbuttafly200's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
miriamberger's review against another edition
5.0
Haunting. Beautiful. An amazing piece of literature although so hard to read.