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miaajolinee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ardelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
rerosenthal85's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️ This is one of the most gorgeously written books I’ve read in a very long time (possibly ever). It’s also one of the heaviest in content. Not for the faint of heart (and, in places, stomach).
It’s set in the 80s and 90s in Chillicothe (“chill-ih-CAWTH-ee”, but the people I know from there just call it Chilly), along the Scioto River in Ohio about an hour south of where I live in Columbus. It deals with issues related to generational poverty, drug addiction (southern Ohio is a hotbed of the opioid crisis in our state), child abuse/neglect, and violence against women. It also boldly holds hope for the women trapped in this life in the treasure of their friendships, dreams, imagination, ancestors, nature (consider if you like books where the setting itself is a main character) and the bond between identical twins. Written in poetic voice, powerful, stunning, and unflinching, one of my top books of this year.
PS I have to confess that I am an idiot because when I originally read the blurb, I assumed that this would be a thriller of some type because of the murders of women being a main part of the story. It is most certainly not. Readers who require loose ends to be tied up need not apply. Ones who read to escape the harshness of reality should similarly avoid.
“A daughter is a woman lost at sea. A mother is the one who saves her. But if she’s not there, the daughter will always be lost.”
“Whatever has tried to burn you down, will only have burned you up onto your feet. And a woman on both of her feet has inherited the ancient hope that all will be okay.”
It’s set in the 80s and 90s in Chillicothe (“chill-ih-CAWTH-ee”, but the people I know from there just call it Chilly), along the Scioto River in Ohio about an hour south of where I live in Columbus. It deals with issues related to generational poverty, drug addiction (southern Ohio is a hotbed of the opioid crisis in our state), child abuse/neglect, and violence against women. It also boldly holds hope for the women trapped in this life in the treasure of their friendships, dreams, imagination, ancestors, nature (consider if you like books where the setting itself is a main character) and the bond between identical twins. Written in poetic voice, powerful, stunning, and unflinching, one of my top books of this year.
PS I have to confess that I am an idiot because when I originally read the blurb, I assumed that this would be a thriller of some type because of the murders of women being a main part of the story. It is most certainly not. Readers who require loose ends to be tied up need not apply. Ones who read to escape the harshness of reality should similarly avoid.
“A daughter is a woman lost at sea. A mother is the one who saves her. But if she’s not there, the daughter will always be lost.”
“Whatever has tried to burn you down, will only have burned you up onto your feet. And a woman on both of her feet has inherited the ancient hope that all will be okay.”
beegcly's review against another edition
5.0
Changing my rating to 5 stars because I can’t stop thinking about this book now due to the ending. It’s the type of ending that makes you run through the whole book again with new context. It’s a tough read and I don’t think it’s for everyone but it was so well done.
This book was incredibly well written and I truly believe that Tiffany McDaniel is one of the most talented authors I have ever read. However, I found this book challenging to read. The content is really dark and I found it a little overwhelming at times. It took me a long time to get through it as I took long breaks away from it. I definitely appreciate this book for what it is and I thought the ending was amazing. If you like literary fiction you will probably like this book but definitely check the triggers as there are many and prepare yourself for a heavy read!
This book was incredibly well written and I truly believe that Tiffany McDaniel is one of the most talented authors I have ever read. However, I found this book challenging to read. The content is really dark and I found it a little overwhelming at times. It took me a long time to get through it as I took long breaks away from it. I definitely appreciate this book for what it is and I thought the ending was amazing. If you like literary fiction you will probably like this book but definitely check the triggers as there are many and prepare yourself for a heavy read!
gaymoonreader's review against another edition
Too heavy for me at the moment. I'll pick it back up at a later date
quinncandescent's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
danielasubraya's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Violence
megmoos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the first book in a long time to really shock me with its twists. It's so harrowijg that it's hard to say it was an Enjoyable read, but it's undeniably beautifully written.
There's that same magical realism that must be a cornerstone of McDaniels' writing, because it was also a major part of Betty. The concept of the savage side is even applicable to Betty; escaping reality via poetic stories is as old a coping mechanism as the native American ancestors acknowledged in this book.
Overall I'm glad I read it but I'd maybe have a hard time recommending it to others due to just How heavy it was.
There's that same magical realism that must be a cornerstone of McDaniels' writing, because it was also a major part of Betty. The concept of the savage side is even applicable to Betty; escaping reality via poetic stories is as old a coping mechanism as the native American ancestors acknowledged in this book.
Overall I'm glad I read it but I'd maybe have a hard time recommending it to others due to just How heavy it was.