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.sofiazee'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
srah's review against another edition
4.5
Spoiler
Café de ParisGraphic: Gore, War, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Child death, and Grief
Minor: Genocide and Homophobia
daniallreads'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? N/A
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Sexual assault, Child death, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death, Racial slurs, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery
ebba94'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
4.75
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and War
ninjamuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Ableism, Cancer, Medical trauma, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
Minor: Animal cruelty