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msrae89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Overall I found the book filled with unlikable characters who I didn’t really care about and a story line that left me confused and underwhelmed.
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
bisexualbookshelf's review against another edition
A funny thing happened to me a few years ago: I love to read books that reflect my own experiences with trauma, which is why mommy issues books are some of my favorites. There was a point in my life where mommy issues books were essentially all I was reading. I was also finding myself having to pretty constantly pause my reading to vomit during these books. For some reason, I didn’t put two and two together myself, but my mental healthcare team did. My psychiatrist and therapist ganged up on me and told me I was reading too many books about trauma, physically hurting myself by inducing so much vomiting, but also limiting my healing journey by casting everything through other peoples’ perspectives, rather than just being with my experience and feelings. Since then, I’ve been limiting the books I read that might be a little too similar to my own trauma.
The only things I knew about this book when I picked it up were that it was by Melissa Broder and it featured Jewish characters. Digging into the book, it turns out the main character is dealing with severely disordered eating after a childhood of calorie restriction inflicted by her mother. This is a big no-no for me, and I had to immediately fly out of bed last night while reading to hurl.
I love Melissa Broder. I love her unhinged and unapologetic FMCs. I was really enjoying this one, especially the fat representation and the subtle pro-🇵🇸 vibes. But alas, the body keeps the score, and mine is saying no. Perhaps I will revisit this one when I have a healthier relationship with my nervous system.
Graphic: Child abuse and Eating disorder
linda_ws's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
ottercorg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I spent the whole book clinging to the development of Miriam and Rachel, begging for Rachel to heal, and craving frozen yogurt. I love the insight into Rachel's thoughts, the way Broder writes. The detail that makes it easy to imagine every moment, which is something I usually struggle with.
A story that truly exemplifies the notion that some people are not meant to be in our lives forever, and we are still able to - and should be - grateful for what they provide while they are here. The lessons they teach, the memories they create, and the person they shape us to be.
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
em111111ly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Physical abuse
lexkoi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Eating disorder and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Excrement, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
regent_ace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Dysphoria
majamatcha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Lesbophobia
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia, Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and War
faenth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Gaslighting