jennp28's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief and War
Moderate: Child death, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
Minor: Infidelity
jbpalumbo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Spoiler
three and half years in a mental institutionGraphic: Medical content, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Confinement, Abandonment, Cancer, Classism, Child death, War, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, and Bullying
Moderate: Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Torture, Terminal illness, Racism, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abortion
The racism and islamophobia are challenged to a degree. There is also a favorable depiction of an open marriage where criticism thereof is challenged.juliabegeman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault
basil_plant'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: Racism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Cursing, Child death, Confinement, Grief, War, and Sexual violence
_kathill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
sh543'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: War, Gun violence, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Child death, Xenophobia, Blood, Chronic illness, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Hate crime, and Racism
julia_treat99'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Blood, Cancer, Genocide, Racial slurs, and War
03140786's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Ableism, and War
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Racism, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship
Racism is experienced by a supporting character and his son, and other characters use racial slurs to refer to them as well. There is also a description of a sexual assault attempt that happened to a main character in her past. Finally aSpoiler
character is forcefully put into a mental institution against her will by other charactersjenn_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Death, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol, Child death, and Rape
Gang rape, bombings, lobotomysofiazee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The story was presented by alternating two time lines: one during ww2, another 3 years after the war. Both weaved in and out seamlessly, building up tension and mystery as we eagerly read on to find out what exactly happened to them, then who shared secrets and camaraderie, but ended up hating each other?
Many, if not all, of the characters are very realistic and fully developed, with their distinct flaws, language, and quirks. At the beginning the plot seems to be somewhat slow, but it was necessary to build up the setting and characters. The final few chapters were a bit too rushed in my opinion, but it did not ruin the reading experience.
I’m so glad to come across this book. Highly recommended for historical buffs!
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: War, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Bullying