alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Grief
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: Vomit, Racism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Police brutality, Hate crime, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Child death
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Murder, Terminal illness, and Cancer
cathrynveronica's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
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: Physical abuse, Police brutality, Terminal illness, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Murder, Death, Hate crime, Child death, Vomit, Addiction, and Grief
Intergenerational traumagabyk_lib'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
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
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: Racism, Death, Vomit, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Drug use
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
rexpostfacto'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
4.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Hate crime, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Racism, Pregnancy, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, and Addiction
Incarceration and servitude related to jail timedistancebetweenhunterandprey's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, Police brutality, and Addiction
Moderate: Death
Minor: Rape
ekmook'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
3.25
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Rape, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
quicksilver's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I think I loved its strong sense of place most and what it means to belong is threaded throughout. The natural elements and how it ties to the theme of nature vs. nurture was extremely impactful. The idea that nature heals and the importance of a balanced ecosystem is paralleled with the importance of a balanced internal world. I could read this over again.
This intergenerational saga is also key - this novel really brings Southern rural black life to light in a way I haven’t seen before, while exploring the theme of multiracial children and how they find their place in that backdrop.
The descriptions are dynamic: they made me sad and made me hopeful and taught me some perspective on common themes. The dynamic of struggle in relationships and the emotions people feel but don’t speak are laid out for examination.
It was a good read, deserving of all the praise heaped on it. Why are you still reading this? Go get your hands on it and read it!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, Toxic friendship, Rape, Physical abuse, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, and Drug abuse