bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters are complex and well written! I didn’t always like them but that’s what made them more interesting at the same time.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Slavery, War, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Child death, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, and Animal death
betsyhokamp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Child death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Slavery, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Animal death, Death, Slavery, War, Violence, Mental illness, and Child death
shearfeather's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: War, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
mysterymom46's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death, Infertility, Slavery, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body shaming, Death of parent, Infidelity, Medical content, and War
Minor: Ableism and Sexual violence
Spoiler
several mentions of mobs and rioting; bigamyserendipitysbooks'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found myself slightly underwhelmed by this book. The family history was interesting, but not necessarily worthy of nearly 500 pages. The particularly interesting and unique aspects - how John Wilkes moved so far politically from the rest of the family, his radicalisation, the impact this had on the family, and the way they reckoned with their own levels of culpability (should they have taken his talk more seriously?) - were there but not the focus of the story. There are good reasons for that as stated in the author’s note but for me I’m not sure the book as a whole fully came together. As a family saga it was fine but nothing outstanding. The more political aspects were a little too diluted and underplayed to be fully effective. Possibly it will hit American readers differently since they may find issues like attempted political rebellions and the rights and responsibilities of shooter’s families are more immediate and relevant.
Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Alcoholism, and Child death
Moderate: Slavery
wrestleacademic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, War, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
amykwrites'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Child death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Classism, and Blood
ghoulscoutcamp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, and Child death
Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, War, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Racism and Homophobia
oceanwriter'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm a sucker for slower-paced, character-driven historical fiction like this. The story mostly centers on Rosalie, Edwin, and Asia. They all have distinct personalities and perspectives that make the story rich from start to finish. The writing is lovely and sad rolled into one. I liked Rosalie the best with Edwin not too far behind. Lincoln is also inserted throughout the story, though it is usually brief. It adds a good build-up to his fate.
I do wish that authors would refrain from inserting modern-day politics at the end of books — especially in fiction which this book ultimately is. I've complained about this in too many book reviews these past two years and I'm weary of it. I'm sure I'm not only speaking for myself when I say that I read to escape current events. Nothing spoils a book I so thoroughly enjoy quicker than a politically charged author's note whether I agree with what's being said or not. I will not deduct a star from this as at least the story itself remained intact, but I can only wish that authors would consider the type of alienation these messages bring on. In my experience, it almost always ends up being hypocritical to the content.
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Murder, Animal death, Infidelity, Slavery, and Racism
Minor: Chronic illness and Animal cruelty
jessgreads'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? It's complicated
4.25
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com/website
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Racism, Slavery, Murder, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Infidelity
Minor: Ableism, Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, Classism, Abandonment, Animal death, Child abuse, and Chronic illness