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aed2655's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
2.0
The two main characters badly needed therapy. Lucy especially tended to self-sabatoge, which drove me nuts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
The main character is very anti-Catholicism. I agreed with most of her thoughts, but I suspect the majority would consider it religious bigotry.buildingtaste's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
What an immersive book. It flagged at points--and it's probably a bad sign I thought the final love interest was two different people until nearly the end--but it is a lovely work in all. I liked the ending, though I can see why it doesn't resonate as much as Jane Eyre with most people. Worth a re-read once you know all the things Lucy is being a bit obtuse about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
Moderate: Incest
There is an extended sequence where the main character is to take care of a disabled child, and the characterisation of that child is not kind. The character in question is legally an adult when they get into the romantic relationship, but they are very young and knew the love interest when they were a child. The love interests for this character and the main character are about 10-20 years older than them. There is an extended sequence of fuguelike depression where the narrator is seemingly suicidal. There is significant discussion of catholicism vs. protestantism and attempts to convert characters. The main character's romance begins with mostly her being bullied, verbally assaulted, and at least once physically assaulted, but none of this is ever explicitly sexual. There are significant amounts of grief over family death and lost chances/circumstances. At one point the protagonist is drugged against her will. A character travels to a colonial plantation for several years. A character is meant to marry their cousin.