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maggmurray'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? N/A
3.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Alcoholism
Swear words.kshertz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Deportation, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
schausjk'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
4.25
Moderate: Grief, Deportation, Racism, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
Minor: Infertility, Lesbophobia, Animal death, Abandonment, Eating disorder, and Death
talonsontypewriters'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
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, Vomit, Ableism, Cancer, Animal death, Eating disorder, Deportation, Death of parent, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, and Racism
Slut shaming. Underage drug use.chris_reads'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment and Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, and Cursing
Minor: Drug use and Forced institutionalization
bi_n_large'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 and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy, Violence, Cursing, and Drug use
rather_b_reading'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: Addiction and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Bullying
kelly_e'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
3.5
Author: Robin Benway
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: October 3 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Endearing • Moving • Believable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Far from the Tree brings together three siblings who were either adopted or put into foster care. When Grace gives her own child up for adoption, she decides to embark on the journey of finding her own birth mother. It is a story of family, identity and finding ones place in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This is an easy to read, feel good story that was both touching and emotional. Each chapter alternates between the three main characters: Grace, Maya and Joaquin. The diversity of the characters here was very well done. And Robin Benway has weaved the themes of adoption and family into a believable tale. The writing is definitely a strong point here.
While YA is typically not my genre of preference, I ended up enjoying this contemporary story because the plot was well done. The weakest part of this novel is definitely the romance side of things, which I could have honestly done without. Overall, it's a good story, but for me it wasn't anything to write home about. There is certainly a lot that could be discussed with others so it's an ideal candidate for book club if members are okay with YA.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• YA enthusiasts
• book clubs
• readers who enjoy stories about family
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
" 'That's exactly what family is, Joaquin!' Maya shouted at him. 'It means that no matter where you go, no matter how far you run, you're still a part of me and Grace and we're still a part of you, too! Look at us! It took us fifteen years to find each other, but we still did! And sometimes, family hurts each other. But after that's done you bandage each other up, and you move on. Together. So you can go and think that you're some lone wolf, but you're not! You've got us now, like it or not, and we've got you. So get in this fucking car and let's go!' "
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying
adoption, divorcesarzhaliu'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
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse
aqtbenz'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? No
5.0
The writing is incredible - I've enjoyed Robin Benway's books before, particularly Audrey, Wait!, but not like this. There were so many passages and lines that I wanted to write down because they were so beautiful and relatable. Things that a less talented writer would have made cliche just felt honest and real.
The three siblings of this book are now some of my favorite characters of all time - each is so well developed and real, and their relationship with each other unfolds beautifully. Each of them also has their own family story that's equally compelling.
If not already obvious, I really, really loved this. Cannot recommend enough.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia