clunttoo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child death, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, and Murder
mhairicorinne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Ableism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Racism, Addiction, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Classism, Death, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Confinement
petrichorandcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A compelling, painful, dark, beautifully written, unpredictable book. I am very glad I read it. There were some points in the book where I felt upset by racist language used, but I realized as the book progressed that we (readers) are meant to be upset by it and to see it as commentary on the time and place. It is not quite as resolved at the end as I personally would have liked - but that serves the story well so I don't mind. This is a story about loss, pain, growth, inherited trauma, structural classicism, structural racism, childhood, grief, dreams, and family. I would say it is southern gothic despite the fact that is lacks the supernatural/magical realism I feel is required for that genre because the text feels haunted and in the service of ghosts despite their lack of presence in the story itself.
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Murder, Car accident, Animal death, Gun violence, Vomit, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Gore, Classism, and Addiction
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