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lpdx'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
sgrifgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Racism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
fuguballoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I'm happy for Rebecca Makkai that she's reached the level of success where she doesn't get edited anymore, but it massively sucks for her readers. This book was way too long, with nothing to show for it. There was so much navel-gazing that did not enhance the plot or characters. There were so many named characters who did not need to be named, it was hard to keep track of everyone (easily 25 with big speaking parts, where 10-15 is average).
With all of that extra material floating around, you'd think there'd be an interesting twist nestled in there somewhere, but there wasn't. The whole thing was predictable from the first time the murder was described in detail. I hoped that the choice to have Bodie talking to someone would ultimately lead to something compelling, but it didn't.
Bodie being a crummy person didn't bother me as much as other readers, but I was put off by Makkai's MeToo subplot. I am old enough to remember being extremely online in 2018, and the whole thing was unrealistic to me. I agree with the other reviewers who said her Makkai's engagement with the serious issues in this book (criminal justice, racism, etc) are superficial.
Lastly, and because I haven't seen it written about on here, I am getting tired of able-bodied authors writing about people cheating on their disabled spouses using language that makes it seem like it's okay because the spouse is sick, with no interrogation or examination of the characters' ableism. I don't care if it's supposed to make us dislike a character--it's lazy character building and gross.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gore, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, Gaslighting, and Classism
jessieraeyo's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, and Pregnancy
alyssaakdefusco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
maddysoup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, and Sexual harassment
mmackay375's review against another edition
3.75
Overall, really enjoyed it, and it's time period, and a lot of the themes and conversations it brings up. The narration style was fun and inventive for a true crime/ thriller book.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Eating disorder, Suicide, and Death of parent
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Transphobia, Vomit, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and War
gondorgirl'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: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
earthie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think some of that is because I stopped near the end and spent the time contemplating what I wanted for the book ending, I suppose. I didn't know what would make me feel satisfied, which was good.
The book also stuck with me more than I expected it to. I've found myself referencing some of the prose just in my day-to-day life and thinking about it.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Stalking, and Suicide attempt