bessadams'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Excrement, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Cancer, Abortion, Bullying, Alcoholism, Child death, and Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Rape
tvnguyen'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
5.0
This historical fiction hits really close to home and to hear directly from a fictional family that has been affected represents so many families that actually experienced the aftermath of war. There is a lot going on in this book so please tread lightly and take breaks if needed. But I highly recommend this novel!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, War, Abandonment, Violence, Rape, and Death of parent
esoreilla'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape
sirius_feanor's review against another edition
3.75
I didn't know much about Vietnamese history prior to reading this book. I still don't know a lot, but I'm sad so many people suffered. And I wholeheartedly agree, there should never be another war.
Moderate: Murder, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, War, and Rape
b_harrington'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
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Violence, Genocide, Misogyny, Abortion, Death, Rape, Grief, Colonisation, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, and Torture
trashreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
sas_lk's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Painful, heartbreaking, but so inspiring and hopeful in the end. A novel about the horrors, and the truest beauties of life.
Graphic: War, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage and Abortion
Minor: Cancer, Alcoholism, Rape, Suicide, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It could also be frustrating; despite how much I loved the book, I often felt like the characters were almost too naïve deliberately so the author could use them as a mouthpiece for philosophical arguments; i.e. Huong being 15 and not understanding what rape is so that the book can make the argument that no one should be shamed for violence inflicted upon them. There were other instances of this that tested believability, but for me it didn't drag down the impact of the novel. I'd recommend this to anyone and it will have a permanent place on my bookshelf and rotation of revered books.
Spoiler
I will say that I almost, almost knocked this down one star because I thought it was so unbelievably stupid that Tam's grandfather was Wicked Ghost. That was too much for me, too 'connected', and even though it resolved well, I hated it.Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Cancer, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
now_booking's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Abortion, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Classism, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Colonisation, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, and Child abuse
kirstym25'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
5.0
Graphic: War, Death, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism