city_girl_writer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
itsgeesus'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
3.5
I would say, however, that the way Hella was written in was fairly misogynistic, whether by accident or not. At times, it felt as if her absence was used by David to justify his affair with Giovanni, rather than David wanting to explore because he genuinely felt attracted to Giovanni. Even with Hella around, the way David spoke about her and other women felt weird, like even for 1956 society. The vibe I got was "men are superior, women are just mistresses". That was the only thing to have pulled me away from such a story.
Minor: Sexual content, Transphobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
biblioghoul'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: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Outing, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Classism, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
readingjaunt's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death
ozioma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The writing is great and it would make a good reread.
My main problem with the book is that it took me too long to get into it. I don’t know why I couldn’t connect with any of the characters until the halfway point of the book and my rating reflects that.
I definitely enjoyed this book but I am an emotional reader and I don’t think it fit with the emotional state I was when I read it. Nevertheless great book.
P.s I really loved Hella and her whole dialogue about womanhood.
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
addyruth17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Cursing, and Miscarriage
laurendenton'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
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, and Misogyny
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Cursing, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, Violence, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Minor: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
crowdenks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Fatphobia, Transphobia, and Miscarriage
orchidd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Spoiler
highlights: definition of woman—of gender—through sexuality, reveals of the complex interiority of other characters through dialogue, arguments, mirror scene in last chapterGraphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Outing
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Murder, Sexism, Child death, Misogyny, and Sexual content
danaaliyalevinson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Death, and Outing