hannasandmann'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
5.0
I still can't get my head around how every character in this series is a fully fledged human, because there are a lot and I feel like I know them all. Fredrik Backman did an immaculate job here.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Misogyny, Outing, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Addiction
Minor: Child death, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
sandysmith'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and Misogyny
chamaeleontis'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Classism, Misogyny, Grief, Gore, Fatphobia, Drug use, Death, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Car accident, Bullying, Addiction, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Outing, Medical content, Homophobia, Hate crime, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Child death, Blood, and Dementia
Minor: Biphobia
kananineko'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: Homophobia, Death, Violence, and Outing
Moderate: Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Car accident, Misogyny, Grief, Child death, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexism, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, Dementia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Lesbophobia, Drug use, Cursing, and Classism
meeklovestoread'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
4.5
However, I don't what it was but it did take me a long time to finish it (about seven days). Like for the first few days, I would only read about 30 pages a day and then not have the urge to pick up the book which is weird because the book was still good, I guess I just wasn't in the right mood for those couple days.
What did help was as I was reading this book I was also watching the show that they made for the first book; that also got me into the mood to read the book so that was great.
I love the themes the book explored and how it handled the aftereffects of Maya's r@pe and how the town's people reacted. Once I got into it again I just couldn't believe but adored the way that Backman wrote in through his multiple third-person narratives. There were parts of politics in this book that I found both confusing and also intriguing. I really wish I understood politics. I was so invested in what Rochard Theo was planning and how he was able to bend everyone to do what he wanted. Loved Benji and Amat and Bobo! And also I'm really feeling for Leo, I hope we get more of him in the next book. I also like how hopeful the ending (and everything else) was without being all "happily ever after"-like. I think I would've rated it book 5 stars if it were for the fact that it just took me so long to finish it.
Spoiler
Ana outting Benji for being gay was the ultimate sign of disrespect for me. I did not like her character after that and personally didn't feel like she deserved to be forgiven.Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Car accident, Homophobia, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, and Outing
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicide attempt, Sexism, and Bullying
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Dementia, Blood, Hate crime, and Alcohol
kassidyreads'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Violence, Car accident, Death, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, and Misogyny
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, and Child death
edgaranjapoe'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
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
Moderate: Outing, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Hate crime, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Cursing, Rape, Abandonment, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
bridget_t'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: Homophobia, Outing, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Car accident, Bullying, Death of parent, Rape, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
radio_4'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: Gun violence, Homophobia, Classism, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism
wellreadjill_'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexism, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Outing
Moderate: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault