gracescanlon'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
4.75
I found Isobel’s descriptions of her experiences with her own synesthesia quite believable. I haven’t had such vibrant experiences myself since I was a girl, but I remember them, and still have smaller, less dramatic ones. Whether Ms. Albanese has synesthesia or not, I found her portrayals of it, especially how it touches every part of life, to ring true. Well done!
This would have been a five-star read, but I felt that the story was rushed in some places. That rush led to a lack of development and depth in characters and their relationships with one another. I think if more time had been devoted to building and expanding upon these, it would've enriched the novel - and earned five stars from me.
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Death, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Colonisation, Miscarriage, Addiction, Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Sexism, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Child death, Excrement, and Suicidal thoughts
phantomgecko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A novel that takes embroidery and sewing and portrays it as the legitimate art medium it is. Her needlework is not a weak female stereotype. It quite literally empowers her to be her own woman in a time when that's not easy.
Isobel is a fun character too. She's kind and clever but also naive and makes frustrating mistakes.
Also, hadn't thought much about xenophobia in New England. Like, here's a literate white woman in Massachusetts but oops, she's from ScOtLanD which means she's an imMiGraNt and uNtrUstwOrthY.
As a whole though, this was a great novel with great historical influence and creative speculation.
Moderate: Xenophobia, Classism, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death, and Slavery
apollo222's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, Abortion, Drug abuse, Slavery, and Racism
Minor: Forced institutionalization
amberghinii'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
Moderate: Misogyny, Addiction, Alcohol, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, and Colonisation
laheath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Unfortunately, once again, the audiobook does not include the author's notes, which I've been told detail her research. These should never be left out of audiobooks!
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism, Slavery, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Racism, and Abortion
Minor: Sexual content, Drug use, and Classism
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Vomit, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Slavery
chandrayisaacson'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: Sexism, Abortion, and Colonisation
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Slavery, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Racism, and Sexual content
bookswithbront'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Slavery, Trafficking, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Classism, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Miscarriage
readingonfordearlife'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexism and Slavery
Moderate: Xenophobia
miss_vonnegut'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
Spoiler
As a heads up, the main character (a white woman) is not fully aware of all the impacts of racism at the start of the book and she learns as it progresses.Graphic: Slavery and Racism
Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, Violence, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Colonisation and Death of parent