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crows_in_a_trenchcoat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide
miahenry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Maame, the character, is so rich, her struggles are relatable even though her circumstances are specific and she is so young. I usually have a hard time relating to stories of twentysomething’s coming-of-age, but Maame’s honesty and confusion made me look back on my younger self with compassion. Also, since she had to grow up so fast, it felt like she was both very young and very old, which made me want to just hug her. I also felt very protective of her, as maybe I would myself.
The writing style makes this a swift, but not an easy read. Maame narrates her life in a way that is both distant and self-aware. It includes text message exchanges that help us get to know other characters and her google searches for (often conflicting) guidance on her problems, the results of which were hilarious and sad and real.
All of the characters were well drawn and complex enough. We see Maame navigate friendship, romance, and family relationships the way we all have to at some point, with messy boundaries and later learning who to keep and who to let go.
Maame’s role as a caregiver elevates the quality of this read because I feel like the emotions and sense of responsibility tied to this part of her identity is handled with such beautiful and respectful nuance.
Also after really rooting for Maame for most of the book, I found the final chapters deeply satisfying. This is a strong work of literary fiction that I deeply enjoyed, an impressive debut novel I highly recommend. It’s really a 4.5.
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
lisettemarie's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
kelsylee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
karlymarcy'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
machenn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Alcohol
madmollyann's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
samanthabryan34'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
lucymbriggs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, and Sexual content
bombshellbibliophile's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Vomit