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danparrock's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Racial slurs
samants's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Dreamy and poetic, but also hilarious and incredibly dramatic. Surprisingly thoughtful in its approach to gender and sexuality given the time.
Note that the star rating has been docked by half a star due to the unnecessary use of racial slurs (the n-word and the g slur referring to Romani people). I try to take a measured approach to unnecessary (I emphasize this because some books do comment on racism and thus utilize the full effect of the slur; this is not one of them) racial slurs in older books, as they are often simply a product of their times, by not completely writing off the book (in fact, I enjoyed Orlando) but by lowering its rating, as there are simply other books out there that do not use such terminology. It's a work in progress.
Note that the star rating has been docked by half a star due to the unnecessary use of racial slurs (the n-word and the g slur referring to Romani people). I try to take a measured approach to unnecessary (I emphasize this because some books do comment on racism and thus utilize the full effect of the slur; this is not one of them) racial slurs in older books, as they are often simply a product of their times, by not completely writing off the book (in fact, I enjoyed Orlando) but by lowering its rating, as there are simply other books out there that do not use such terminology. It's a work in progress.
Graphic: Racial slurs
alexblais8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
tiffanyg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs
tamara_joy's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
As an overall fan of Virginia Woolf’s writing, i came away from this book disappointed. While I enjoyed her writing, i found it hard to engage with it the way a more contemporaneous reader probably would. some of the broader themes around gender identity and gender roles were accessible, but the nitty gritty of english and turkish society were less so, which took away from my enjoyment. ultimately, i came away from this book respecting the superb and courageous choice to write a story like this, but am likely to be very selective about how i recommend this book to
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
williamgideon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Racial slurs
melancholymegs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Violence and War
aisabel's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Misogyny
unfortunatecircus's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
2 uses of the n word - it was written by a white woman in the 1920s - but otherwise a really lovely book, and a surprisingly easy read!
Minor: Racial slurs