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reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
tiasreads's review against another edition
Several things bothered me about this book, but the two main problems were:
1) The many small inaccuracies and inconsistencies the author didn't bother to check. Such as saying that a person left, but a few sentences later saying that the same person helped Ann do something and then left. Also, saying that Ann and her first husband moved "northward" from Montgomery to Dothan, Alabama, when Dothan is 125 miles south of Montgomery. This is sloppy and amateurish.
2) The continual message that black people need to get themselves a white savior or two. I really hope I don't have to explain why this is not okay, especially from a black author.
1) The many small inaccuracies and inconsistencies the author didn't bother to check. Such as saying that a person left, but a few sentences later saying that the same person helped Ann do something and then left. Also, saying that Ann and her first husband moved "northward" from Montgomery to Dothan, Alabama, when Dothan is 125 miles south of Montgomery. This is sloppy and amateurish.
2) The continual message that black people need to get themselves a white savior or two. I really hope I don't have to explain why this is not okay, especially from a black author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
hannah_lou's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
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? No
5.0
I loved reading this book! It felt like I was reading Ann’s autobiography, rather than a novel, because it was so well-researched. The dialect was great but always comprehensible. I enjoyed the easy pace and short chapters.
Ann took a remarkable place in history and was connected to many notable people; she also bridged the gap between very different eras of civil rights. I would call this story a coming-of-age story for Ann, our country, Jackie Kennedy, the civil rights movement, and fashion all in one.
Marvelous read.
A word about the first third of the book and a certain child marriage: It’s hard to read about the grooming and eventual marriage of twelve-year-old Ann. Sexual acts are described, not in graphic detail, but enough detail to be uncomfortable. While it’s hard to read, I encourage you to keep reading because the marriage does end and I believe Ann finds healing and independence.
Ann took a remarkable place in history and was connected to many notable people; she also bridged the gap between very different eras of civil rights. I would call this story a coming-of-age story for Ann, our country, Jackie Kennedy, the civil rights movement, and fashion all in one.
Marvelous read.
A word about the first third of the book and a certain child marriage:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy