Scan barcode
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
emakay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
nibs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I picked up this book because it was recommended by John and Hank Green on a podcast, as being painful but also super important to read. Seeing it was by Colson Whitehead and that it won the Pulitzer Prize in 2020 brought it to the top of my to read list.
This book was painful to read, but I knew that going in. It is so well-crafted - it could be twice the length if it wanted to be, there are so many stories to tell and the characters are so fleshed out - but condensing it makes it pack more of a punch. Elwood's fierce hope in people and justice is so relatable and powerful, with the words of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr echoing through his head. But we also relate to Turner's lack of trust in anyone, since when the world is against you that seems to be the safest option.
In the end, powerful people exert their power on vulnerable people, and they either don't realise, don't care or relish in it. And that is still very much happening today. American segregation is gone, but racism and the systemic echoes of it still exist.
When I first started reading it, I was so upset by the injustice of the whole situation. But as I got engrossed in the book, it switched to more directly empathising with the characters and their immediate emotions, which hits you in a different way.
This book was painful to read, but I knew that going in. It is so well-crafted - it could be twice the length if it wanted to be, there are so many stories to tell and the characters are so fleshed out - but condensing it makes it pack more of a punch. Elwood's fierce hope in people and justice is so relatable and powerful, with the words of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr echoing through his head. But we also relate to Turner's lack of trust in anyone, since when the world is against you that seems to be the safest option.
In the end, powerful people exert their power on vulnerable people, and they either don't realise, don't care or relish in it. And that is still very much happening today. American segregation is gone, but racism and the systemic echoes of it still exist.
When I first started reading it, I was so upset by the injustice of the whole situation. But as I got engrossed in the book, it switched to more directly empathising with the characters and their immediate emotions, which hits you in a different way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Body horror