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genabeckett's review against another edition
2.0
Could not get into the story or the characters. Cannot understand all the 4s and 5s! Tried twice, got 25% into this first book, just couldn't make myself care about these people!!
felynmarie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
lyndamr's review against another edition
3.0
It took a while for me to get into this book -- at the beginning I couldn't relate to the life of these very young girls (the book starts when they are about 4) in their violent post-WWII neighbourhood of Naples. But as they started to mature and compete in school and the characters filled out, it became more captivating. This is the first of a four book memoir and the writing and imagery are lovely. I finished and immediately downloaded the next book!
anima_vestaa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
crnnoel's review against another edition
3.0
I slogged through this. But I must have enjoyed it, because as soon as I finished I ordered the next in the series!
impatientmiss's review against another edition
3.0
After several attempts of trying to read this book I got the audio and finished it. It ended up being ok. My daughter loved these book and said the next are better so am giving it a try
libby_libaryon's review against another edition
3.0
This moved a little slow for me. It was 100% social and family interactions/drama. There's probably a lot the author could do as for feminist messaging, but she doesn't seem to go there in this book, except through just one character who kind of fails at it. I can't decide if I will finish the series, probably not.
dombossey's review against another edition
5.0
holy shit. what a book. that was some of the most gripping prose i’ve read in such a long time. i was sucked into the story and i can’t remember the last time that had happened. the narrator is such a beautiful character and i really see myself in her so much. the relationship she has with lila gosh that just feels like the relationship i had with my brother.
i still cannot understand why NYT would pick this as their best novel of the 21st century, it seems too much a YA book sometimes, but it’s certainly one of the best books i’ve read in a long long time.
i still cannot understand why NYT would pick this as their best novel of the 21st century, it seems too much a YA book sometimes, but it’s certainly one of the best books i’ve read in a long long time.
blisspriss's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This is the first book in a series following two girls growing up in post-war Italy, in the slums of Naples to be exact.
I fell in love with the characters, conflicts, friendship, and setting of this book, and the rest of the series.
I fell in love with the characters, conflicts, friendship, and setting of this book, and the rest of the series.