Reviews tagging 'Death'
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
7 reviews
notsogabbygabby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: Abortion and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Antisemitism, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Death of parent
kaycie51782's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book covers a lot of deep topics, and it doesn't hold much back. Be warned: there blatant racism, misogyny, heavy alcohol consumption, abortion, abandonment...
My main criticism of the book is that it's told in first person, but it very deliberately and overtly points things out. I think telling it in omniscient third person would have felt less like I was hearing a summary than a story. It's like in video games where the next person you need to talk to is highlighted, the author basically points and says "Look at this" instead of molding it into the story.
The book is less about what is in the library (though it is discussed) and more about how she loves through the world carefully, deliberately, and choosing to hide in plain sight. It was a fascinating look at life in 1900s New York as a woman, moving in orbit around the ultra rich (Morgan, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, etc.) but being constantly terrified of having it all taken away.
Graphic: Abortion, Antisemitism, Miscarriage, Slavery, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, Classism, Grief, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
e1eanorgrace'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
4.0
Moderate: Antisemitism, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Abortion, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, and Death
susannah_knox'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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racism, Abortion, Antisemitism, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Alcohol, and Infidelity
remie'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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical trauma, Racism, Sexism, and Abortion
Minor: Antisemitism, Abandonment, Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Outing, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and War
thenovelbookshelf'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? It's complicated
4.0
Belle, born Belle Marion Greener, of African American heritage was forced to live a lie by her mother because of their light skinned appearance. While in this novel, Belle is only occasionally conflicted, I'm sure her life, and that of her family's, was harder than what was written.
The novel also only briefly touches on other parts of her life, education, friendships, relationships, extended family of hers and that of JP Morgan's. There are some resources mentioned in the author's notes that would be good to get more background into Belle's life.
This is a compelling, beautifully written book that touches on topics of racism, feminism, love, passion, and personal identity.
Minor: Alcohol, Abortion, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Racism, and Sexism
breannasbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Abortion and Racism
Minor: Antisemitism and Death