greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
It could also be frustrating; despite how much I loved the book, I often felt like the characters were almost too naïve deliberately so the author could use them as a mouthpiece for philosophical arguments; i.e. Huong being 15 and not understanding what rape is so that the book can make the argument that no one should be shamed for violence inflicted upon them. There were other instances of this that tested believability, but for me it didn't drag down the impact of the novel. I'd recommend this to anyone and it will have a permanent place on my bookshelf and rotation of revered books.
Spoiler
I will say that I almost, almost knocked this down one star because I thought it was so unbelievably stupid that Tam's grandfather was Wicked Ghost. That was too much for me, too 'connected', and even though it resolved well, I hated it.Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Cancer, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
now_booking's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Abortion, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Classism, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Colonisation, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, and Child abuse
annorabrady'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: Violence, War, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, Blood, Hate crime, Classism, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Confinement, Vomit, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Infertility
singout'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Colonisation, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, War, Murder, Gore, Abandonment, and Body horror
carlafiorenzo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Child death, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Racism, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Vomit, Abandonment, War, Body horror, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Blood, Chronic illness, Classism, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Excrement, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
nibs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was immersed in the Trần family's story and transported into their world, which tbh is all I really want in a book. I learnt a lot about the history of Việt Nam.
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual violence, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
bookswithgeorgia'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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and War
timesnewromance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, War, Rape, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, and Colonisation
thomasdj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence and Mental illness
Minor: Xenophobia
feralbookwife'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
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Blood, Sexual violence, Cancer, Alcoholism, Abandonment, War, Death, Grief, Colonisation, Abortion, Violence, Torture, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical trauma, Medical content, Drug use, and Child death
Moderate: Sexism, Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Xenophobia