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bruisedtigers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked this book a lot to start, then found my enjoyment waning as it went on.
Nancy's story is broken into three parts. The first features her and Kitty, a stage performer who she falls in love with. For me, this was the most enjoyable part. Watching Nancy bloom from her humble roots into a star felt very tangible and the author paints a very charming atmosphere. The second part, however, changes tones and Nancy becomes a renter and eventually falls into the employment of a cruel older woman. This section, while I appreciated reading Nancy exploring gender presentation, has impending dread hanging over it. Nancy's decisions at this point (combined with another girl suffering for her mistakes) start to make her less endearing. The narrative doesn't excuse her behaviour, but it's no less frustrating to read -- and this continues for the third part. It's difficult to really feel enamoured with the third section, since Nancy spends a great deal of it being accidentally unkind and secretive. Her final and 'true' union suffers for this, sadly, since it doesn't feel as fully developed as it should.
Storygraph doesn't have an clear content warning that I can find, but I would forewarn for Nancy being forced into sex work, and the abusive relationship she finds herself in when part two begins.
Nancy's story is broken into three parts. The first features her and Kitty, a stage performer who she falls in love with. For me, this was the most enjoyable part. Watching Nancy bloom from her humble roots into a star felt very tangible and the author paints a very charming atmosphere. The second part, however, changes tones and Nancy becomes a renter and eventually falls into the employment of a cruel older woman. This section, while I appreciated reading Nancy exploring gender presentation, has impending dread hanging over it. Nancy's decisions at this point (combined with another girl suffering for her mistakes) start to make her less endearing. The narrative doesn't excuse her behaviour, but it's no less frustrating to read -- and this continues for the third part. It's difficult to really feel enamoured with the third section, since Nancy spends a great deal of it being accidentally unkind and secretive. Her final and 'true' union suffers for this, sadly, since it doesn't feel as fully developed as it should.
Storygraph doesn't have an clear content warning that I can find, but I would forewarn for Nancy being forced into sex work, and the abusive relationship she finds herself in when part two begins.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
space_bandit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Racism
cutewitch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My god! I feel a fool for putting off this book for so long. Astounding—easily one of, if not my best books of the year. Not just a book, but literature… something I’ve been missing! Yes, my only complaint is that the beginning is slow; it’s true, the first 3 or 4 chapters I had a hard time getting through. But after that—wow, did I race through it this week! Yes, Nan is unlikable, but she’s real; isn’t that part of the point? You want your heroines to be perfect all the time? She is real, and quite unique, and all the characters around her are equally fleshed out. I also kind of wish that it was historically accurate; I didn’t realize it wasn’t until I read that bit bu the author included in someone else’s review. But that doesn’t really take away from it—the world feels so real, who cares if it isn’t?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
denimtuxedo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Sexism
foofymcgriddle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Forced institutionalization
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