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carojust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
But "The Book of Goose" moves forward in its own poetic way, as young Agnès is forced into fame after writing down the morbid, imaginative stories of Fabienne's mind, which carries her alone to distant England where she is placed in an unfriendly, genteel world.
There's really beautiful reflections on survival and hope in an improverished, wartime setting, where innocence and futility come in the form of two girls' love for each other. The author's writing kept me captivated and immersed in something that should have felt depressing, but was actually a sweet kind of sorrow.
You'll like this book if you're into historical fiction, unspoken bonds, and coming-of-age meditations.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Pedophilia, Sexism, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and War
scmiller's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Infertility, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Alcohol
mollybryann'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
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
“When I was first married to Earl, he often took pleasure in teaching me things that I had not known. Once, he explained to me about the Mohs scale, which was used to test the hardness of minerals and gems. Diamond is the hardest, he said, and diamond can scratch any gem on the scale, but every other gem can leave only a scrape on those softer than itself. None of them would do anything to a diamond. Perhaps I was born a material different from my parents. I was born a hard person, harder than most people in my life, so I have only myself to blame when I cannot feel the love of others, my parents among them. Love from those who cannot damage us irreparably often feels insufficient; we may think, rightly or wrongly, that their love does not matter at all.” “But her personality, I now understand, was impaired by her desire to be good and to be right. To be good was in her nature. She took genuine pleasure in being good. However, where does the desire to be right lead one, if not to the wrong place? Knowing Mrs. Townsend's mind and speaking on her behalf-these Catalina did with perfect ease and confidence, as she must have spoken on behalf of other authorities before Woodsway, and would continue to do so after Woodsway. I was too young then to dread a person like her. I have since encountered other versions of Catalina; each time I have to reeducate myself in avoiding people's good intentions.”heatherjchin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism