_daireads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
tammylew40's review
5.0
This novel was deep. The author painted a horrific picture about functionally dysfunctional family struggles. Rape, molestation, murder.... and societies viewpoint of it during that time was an eye opener.
It was so easy for me to get caught up in the story and judge how each character chose to handle their situation.
The reality is, this is a very imperfect world with lots of sick and sadistic thinking people. We should teach our children about their bodies and the boundaries that must exist. Some parts of society still tend to minimize women values and violate without repercussion.
This elephant in the room must be consistently addressed.
Great book @Mary Monroe
It was so easy for me to get caught up in the story and judge how each character chose to handle their situation.
The reality is, this is a very imperfect world with lots of sick and sadistic thinking people. We should teach our children about their bodies and the boundaries that must exist. Some parts of society still tend to minimize women values and violate without repercussion.
This elephant in the room must be consistently addressed.
Great book @Mary Monroe
tatiana2207's review
2.0
This book was OK while the story content was good it was poorly written in my opinion.
fwoods's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tinajackson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Outing, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Racism, Rape, and Suicide attempt
nfinitepages's review
4.0
This first book was good. Full of surprises. I read it quickly and most times was like, NO! Are you serious? It's sad, funny and will make you shake your head in disbelief.
clombardi27's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow, one of those stories that is more about character development and the moral, rather than the plot. The end had a lot of hope - I felt that Annette had finally had some physical contact that wasn't just abuse/use. Her intimacy I felt was a sign that she was moving forward, and it was also with Pee Wee so that meant to me it was with her roots, someone she had known her whole life. I also thought it was interesting she ended up back in Richland, maybe again, something to do with roots and stability.
The most odd part of the story was she never hated Mr. Buttwright. He was also a father figure to her in some ways, even though he was also someone who made her extremely miserable. The fact the Rhoda rid her of him I felt made her a good friend, but it was also wild how she went about it. I feel that Rhoda was critical to Annettte's growing up and feeling strong. In fact, she literally saved her coincidentally with Annette's suicidal thoughts. I think Rhoda was Annette's savior, but once Annette was able to save herself, she no longer needed Rhoda. In some ways, Rhoda wasn't good for her particularly with the jealousy with Florence and sometimes in how she spoke to Annette. So it was important for her to be there, but also important for her to go...
I also don't feel that Rhoda's crimes were as abhorrent as Annette seemed too. Every person she killed she had a very legitimate reason too and except for April, the world seemed better off without them. Both Rhoda and Mr. Boatwright were extremely ironic characters, both bringing kindness and love into Annette's life with an equal amount of abuse and immorality.
Ultimately, I think these two things together helped Annette grow. She found value in herself in Erie, and then came home to live a life she wanted. She also sets out to find her family, which i feel sort of completes her. She fulfills an empty space she has always mentioned throughout her story by going to find her father. It is interesting that the story begins and ends with him leaving.
All in all, I think this book is full of lessons and richness. I feel I would like to have a discussion with someone about it in order to get all the richness out of it. Maybe it would be something good for a book club.
The most odd part of the story was she never hated Mr. Buttwright. He was also a father figure to her in some ways, even though he was also someone who made her extremely miserable. The fact the Rhoda rid her of him I felt made her a good friend, but it was also wild how she went about it. I feel that Rhoda was critical to Annettte's growing up and feeling strong. In fact, she literally saved her coincidentally with Annette's suicidal thoughts. I think Rhoda was Annette's savior, but once Annette was able to save herself, she no longer needed Rhoda. In some ways, Rhoda wasn't good for her particularly with the jealousy with Florence and sometimes in how she spoke to Annette. So it was important for her to be there, but also important for her to go...
I also don't feel that Rhoda's crimes were as abhorrent as Annette seemed too. Every person she killed she had a very legitimate reason too and except for April, the world seemed better off without them. Both Rhoda and Mr. Boatwright were extremely ironic characters, both bringing kindness and love into Annette's life with an equal amount of abuse and immorality.
Ultimately, I think these two things together helped Annette grow. She found value in herself in Erie, and then came home to live a life she wanted. She also sets out to find her family, which i feel sort of completes her. She fulfills an empty space she has always mentioned throughout her story by going to find her father. It is interesting that the story begins and ends with him leaving.
All in all, I think this book is full of lessons and richness. I feel I would like to have a discussion with someone about it in order to get all the richness out of it. Maybe it would be something good for a book club.
pammysue1957's review
3.0
A sad book about half a lifetime of sexual abuse. I was somewhat disappointed to find out that I had to read a sequel book to find out the ending. I think I'll just let it go.