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jolynne's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A work of fiction that could very well be true. You meet many characters that are part of this institution for disabled youth. You get to know many awesome human beings but along with that also comes the lowest of the low who are allowed to do what they do because generally these institutions are set up to be profit makers.
schmidtat's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
kblincoln's review
5.0
Read this book.
But be prepared for some complicated, messy, all-too-flinchworthy behavior from the characters in this book. Majorly flinchworthy. This is a story of youngsters and the adults who have power over them, and what happens is what you might expect when power goes unchecked with oversight or compassion.
But read the book anyway. Because what it has to say about how society treats crips is something we should all be aware of, in the same way we should read about inner city poverty, or autism, or the Holocaust.
It ain't comfortable, but it's real.
Nussbaum gives us alternating POVs from the perspective of youth institutionalized in a nursing home for disabled youth (mentally and physically-- all lumped together) as well as caretakers and administrators of the nursing home. Each voice, from street-scrappy, Puerto Rican Yessie in her wheelchair to highly polished WASP "recruiter" to the diminished and heartbroken Mia is distinct. I usually don't like multiple POV because it's too hard to keep track, and the narrative suffers, and I feel disconnected from the characters because we spend too little time with each.
Not so with this one.
Nussbaum keeps you hooked. Each time the POV switched, it somehow deepened the narrative, revealed more clues about the characters, and somehow drove the pace of the book.
You see how Yessie's self-centered attitude both is her defense, and then from Jimmie's perspective how much Yessie's self-talk is also a self-deceiving coping mechanism. You feel the utter horror of what happens to Teddy all the more because of the glimpse into his limited understanding of why Mia will no longer go out with him. And speaking of Mia...oh gosh. Nussbaum handles her reaction to her abuse in a believable way that made me heartsick, disappointed, grasping at straws.
Don't worry, the book ends on a more uplifting note then this review suggests, but it isn't an easy book to read. But you should read it anyway, because if Nussbaum does one thing, it's obliterate stereotypes and complexify the way various disabilities are portrayed in a way that will stay with you long after the book is over.
But be prepared for some complicated, messy, all-too-flinchworthy behavior from the characters in this book. Majorly flinchworthy. This is a story of youngsters and the adults who have power over them, and what happens is what you might expect when power goes unchecked with oversight or compassion.
But read the book anyway. Because what it has to say about how society treats crips is something we should all be aware of, in the same way we should read about inner city poverty, or autism, or the Holocaust.
It ain't comfortable, but it's real.
Nussbaum gives us alternating POVs from the perspective of youth institutionalized in a nursing home for disabled youth (mentally and physically-- all lumped together) as well as caretakers and administrators of the nursing home. Each voice, from street-scrappy, Puerto Rican Yessie in her wheelchair to highly polished WASP "recruiter" to the diminished and heartbroken Mia is distinct. I usually don't like multiple POV because it's too hard to keep track, and the narrative suffers, and I feel disconnected from the characters because we spend too little time with each.
Not so with this one.
Nussbaum keeps you hooked. Each time the POV switched, it somehow deepened the narrative, revealed more clues about the characters, and somehow drove the pace of the book.
You see how Yessie's self-centered attitude both is her defense, and then from Jimmie's perspective how much Yessie's self-talk is also a self-deceiving coping mechanism. You feel the utter horror of what happens to Teddy all the more because of the glimpse into his limited understanding of why Mia will no longer go out with him. And speaking of Mia...oh gosh. Nussbaum handles her reaction to her abuse in a believable way that made me heartsick, disappointed, grasping at straws.
Don't worry, the book ends on a more uplifting note then this review suggests, but it isn't an easy book to read. But you should read it anyway, because if Nussbaum does one thing, it's obliterate stereotypes and complexify the way various disabilities are portrayed in a way that will stay with you long after the book is over.
cook_memorial_public_library's review
5.0
Read staffer Ellen J.'s review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/752070253
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sgood%20kings%20bad%20kings%20nussbaum__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/752070253
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sgood%20kings%20bad%20kings%20nussbaum__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
grem_ler's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
samranakhtar's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book is poorly researched and full of cliches and stereotypes. I understand what the author is doing but this was not an enjoyable read. The writing is terrible and some of the characters got under my skin. They're so annoying! The novel does not do justice to the topic it is addressing. Everything is filtered through melodrama to evoke an emotional response in the reader, but sadly, it fails.
allysonpsillos's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
rileyjohnsavage's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
radler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0