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rachelfayreads's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Classism
kailiyahknight's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
mentalmondai's review
2.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty, Incest, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
kzarate's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
laurajordensharris's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
0lli_e's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Racism, and Rape
lucyistoocool's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
lillava1121's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Classism
bella613's review against another edition
3.0
I won't say I liked it, though.
The last third or so was the best out of the book- tbh I would have rated the first half 2 stars. This might be because the beginning events take place before she could possibly remember them.
I know it's a memoir, and it's her perspective on her own life, but something I can't quite put into words to felt off about it. It reads very casually, in parts that are clearly not lighthearted. Some people described it as straightforward writing style but it felt more detached to me. I obviously dont know the facts of her life but I felt the distinct impression of someone exaggerating, not necessarily to gain sympathy or praise, but more because they actually see themselves as the main character of the world. The whole family is clearly very intelligent (even though both parents are extremely closed minded, selfish, and arguably psychotic) and the kids took a lot of initiative despite never being taught or shown any responsibility.
I think the biggest thing that made it difficult for me to relate and/or take something from this book is that the people in it don't feel real. Walls describes everyone in her life as very clear good vs bad characters- there are the evil ones and the victims, and no in between. And despite this, she shows almost no resentment and describes no clear forgiveness. Everything that was done to the children is swept away and they sort of just act like nothing happened once they are on their own. There's no boundaries set but there's also no reconciliation.
I listened to the audiobook, which the author reads herself. I would have preferred a different reader but I would say I'm glad I listened rather than reading it in physical copy.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
katmystery's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Pedophilia