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sarahryoung's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I listened to the audio book, which was well since, but I wish I had actually read it. I know I missed a lot of nuance and details because I listened.
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt
elizaeaa22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
alemm's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This novel starts off incredibly slow and then is fast for the last 30-40%. He pays homage to the “Great” American authors like Whitman, Emerson, Steinbeck, Twain, etc. in particular use to character development and plot.
My main critiques are his uneven pace. Perhaps beyond me, the author goes out of his way to make his one female character a strong woman, but doesn’t have the gumption to pass the Bechdel test.
I also don’t understand why he uses the “Magical Negro” literary trope without expanding on it or turning it on its head. If the irony is that he uses it exactly how it was historically used, then it is utterly lost in translation.
My main critiques are his uneven pace. Perhaps beyond me, the author goes out of his way to make his one female character a strong woman, but doesn’t have the gumption to pass the Bechdel test.
I also don’t understand why he uses the “Magical Negro” literary trope without expanding on it or turning it on its head. If the irony is that he uses it exactly how it was historically used, then it is utterly lost in translation.
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
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