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peachy_gene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
jenmtnbike'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
4.75
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
megreads12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Abandonment
Minor: Child death and Car accident
tiredfangirl's review against another edition
- 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
In terms of the characterization, I didn’t like any of the characters for about the first half of the book. I get that it was building towards the larger themes, but it meant that I wasn’t really enjoying reading it. I also really felt like for a book with such complex characters otherwise, Julia and Rose got very one-note characterizations.
Despite all that, I couldn’t seem to put it down. So… 4/5 I guess? But definitely 5/5 at times and 2/5 at times.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
katewhite77'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
I loved this book and felt so seen within it's pages. It tells the story of the Padavano sisters, an Italian American family from the late 70s to late 00s, from late teenagehood to early middle age.
It is a beautifully rendered portrait of what can happen when a families supply of glue suddenly stops and things begin to fall apart. However it also shows how if the family unit is strong enough it can stitch itself back together again into a different shape.
One of the big themes of this book is truth, both in terms of being honest and lieing.
If this doesn't make it into my top books of 24 I will be surprised.
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
torturedreadersdept'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: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Infertility, and Sexual content
marissanbullis'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
3.75
Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment
charrrchar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Grief and Pregnancy
nanirump'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
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
jamespwaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism and Grief