Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - The Little Friend

Okay so… I became really connected the characters (especially Harriet) as the book progressed, which I think DT has a talent for. It definitely felt like I was jumping into the LIVES of the characters, not just the plot, which I have felt reading all of DT’s books. The descriptions are beautiful and the writing is clever. Also, the child’s voice is used SO WELL and the shifting of narrative voice between characters is very very good, a great used of unreliable narration. BUT, there are some things that are kind of hard to ignore. There is a lot of using racist and ableist slurs, which I get is typical for the time period but DT really doesn’t make any meaningful comments condemning the prejudices of the mainly white cast. There are several diverse characters but they are not treated with the same depth or respect as the protagonists, and it feels like the issues of racism and ableism are brought up in passing but not discussed with the respect they deserve. I understand that these topics are not the point of the book, but then why bring them up SO MUCH (and it is a LOT)? The ending was also so abrupt and I felt like the book was soooo slow-paced until the last one hundred or so pages. I don’t mind slow books, but sometimes the pacing felt awkward. It was also just very cobfusing in parts, which might be my lack of understanding, but I guess the ending just annoyed me because it felt like it didn’t really resolve much. I think this book will definitely stick with me, especially the family and characters who I felt like I got so close to, and also because of the incredibly dark subject matter.

Content Warnings

another_dahlia's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional tense

Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

lilsta's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark slow-paced

1.0

Content Warnings

beatriceora's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

clunttoo's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

quinn24's review against another edition

Go to review page

I fell into a reading slump but i’m definitely going to come back to it at some point

Content Warnings

tsbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I really didn’t know what to except from this book. At first I thought it would be a more murder mystery type of vibe with Harriet trying to figure out who murdered Robin but it turns out to be more of a deep dive into their lives in a way. It’s more about Harriet’s journey and all the things she gets herself into etc.

The writing is extremely descriptive and I did find myself bored at times because the pace was slow, but at the same time I was infatuated. I have respect for writing that can take such a “small” thing, like this town and it’s people, and completely immerse the reader in it and make it feel “big”. I do just adore her writing.

As for the story itself. I enjoyed it a lot but like I mentioned earlier there were some parts that were slow but I pushed through them. However the EXCESSIVE use of racial slurs was literally shocking. That was not necessary at all to make a point on racism etc. That is definitely one of the major downfalls of this book.

Content Warnings

More...