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stellahadz'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The pacing of the book was slower than I would have liked; it took me almost 200 pages to really get into the story. I think there's also something about the Victorian-esque writing style that doesn't totally resonate with me -- I didn't feel like I could fully connect with any of the characters, and most of them were just downright unlikeable. (My copy was the 20th anniversary edition with an afterword by the author, and I'll just say I agree with what she has to say about Nancy!)
I can see why this book is popular; it's well-written (I especially liked the setting descriptions and worldbuilding) and explores aspects of Victorian life that aren't always included in the literary canon. However, I think the genre and writing style simply weren't for me.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
amina_writes_books'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
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
forgottenwitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, and Classism
outerscout'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
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, and Abandonment
tiernanhunter'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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
marxxx'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
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
marleywrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage and Racism
moss_martii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Classism
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Colonisation
francescaastraea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Classism