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rhall19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
florecita_lectora'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
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, and Police brutality
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, and Murder
christynhoover'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder
Intergenerational traumacrabbytaco'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
Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Vomit
Minor: Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Pregnancy
lorenag5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
lynettegabriella's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Racism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
bandysbooks'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
4.25
Jojo, a young boy, and his mother Leonie are introduced as the two focal point characters and I had immediate reactions to both. Jojo is likeable. Part of me wanted to shield and protect him as I dug into the things he was experiencing. And Leonie...she was tough for me. While I logically understand that addiction is an illness, I also grew up in a family with addicts. Having experienced the inconsistency, disappointment, and heartbreak that comes when dealing with an addicted family member made me feel so much for Jojo and honestly made it hard for me to like Leonie. Suffice it to say that both characters elicited a very visceral response from me.
One of the qualities that I really loved about this book was the very beautiful description used. This story covers some very dark themes and I loved the juxtaposition of the flowery prose against it. It created a very haunting atmosphere and for me, really added to what we were witnessing on page.
My only real critique of this book is that sometimes it is easy to get a bit lost. I think, for me, this was because I got wrapped up in the beautiful description and didn't always really take in what was happening. I did have to go back occasionally and re-read chapters...but I think that's sort of part of the experience here. It's confusing and at times a little chaotic, but that's also how I think things must feel for Jojo as he navigates the story.
All in all, an excellent book and definitely the first of many that I will read by Jesmyn Ward. If you like a Southern Gothic vibe, ghost stories, and the exploration of family ties, this should absolutely be on your reading list.
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, and Violence
reachingforstardust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Drug abuse, Racism, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Rape
abitbetterbooks'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, and Vomit
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
anniesher23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Violence