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shelbybowers20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Blood
juanat77'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
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kam_h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Abandonment, and War
emilyjeanne'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
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, and War
Moderate: Blood, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
caitlin_davis22'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
3.0
The part before we hear Anya's story was SO boring to me. And repetitive, especially Meredith's narrative. I really think that portion of the book could have been significantly shorter and still effective.
The truly interesting parts of this book are in Anya's "fairytale." I was disappointed that Hannah chose to set up the story this way because in my opinion, if the story had shifted between time periods instead of using the fairytale premise, she could have given more depth to Vera's story. I feel like Vera's narrative is where we see a watered-down version of Hannah's incredible ability to detail the life, strength and hardship of historical women. I just wish it had come through MORE as a direct POV instead of fairytale-ized.
I also found it to be a little unbelievable that Meredith and Nina put up with their mother's mysterious and cold demeanor until they were in their 40s. I just feel like they, particularly Nina, would have said what the hell is up with you long before then. And it makes me sadder that Anya missed so much of the happiness she could have experienced if she had just opened up a little sooner. Also, Evan, couldn't you, like, give your adult daughters a heads up that their mother was a huge B*** to them due to Russian war trauma? Like c'mon. He was close with them, and even if the full story wasn't his to tell, he could have added some much-needed context for them.
I also thought it was weird that the book ended without any final true Meredith/Nina moments since Hannah spent ETERNITY on their storylines for the first 2/3 of this book.
Okay, I digress. I did love the ending of this book, and yes, I did tear up. I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to get through due to the BORING Meredith and Nina set up in the beginning and the lack of depth in a lot of Vera's narrative. I still love u, Kristin Hannah, but this one wasn't my fave.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
barrettcmyk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you know anything at all about the siege of Leningrad, you’ll know this is not going to be an easy read.
First third or so of the book (before it’s clear the fairy tale is a veiled story of the Siege) was tough to get through for entirely different reasons. At that point each of the family members did such a marvelous job of isolating themselves from one another I found myself yelling “just hug, dammit!” at the pages.
The last two chapters or so were sob-fests, sweet and heart breaking, but … maybe a little far-fetched? Still, a good story.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War
mel_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, and Abandonment
jessbelsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Be prepared that this is a slow burn and extremely emotional.
It’s unbelievable what humans had to go through throughout different times in history. Have your tissues ready for this one.
Graphic: War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage and Suicidal thoughts