The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
another_dahlia's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting concept, way too many characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Child death, Suicide, Violence, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Fatphobia
Minor: Alcohol
coffinfinite's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A cold and biting satire of middle-class America and all its pretensions, The Road Through The Wall may not be Jacksonâs best work, but has become one of my favourites. Introducing us to a roster of characters who are all mundane and exhibit the casual cruelty of conformity, Jackson doesnât hold the readerâs hand when etching out her vision of Pepper Street. I kept notes as I read to help me keep everyone - The Donalds, The Roberts, The Byrnes, and many, many more - straight in my head. The lack of distinction between each family save the number of children and religious identity feels very much a part of Jacksonâs commentary.Â
The story itself - what there is of a story, as much of the book is simply observations, the reader eavesdropping on conversations, pacts and trysts along with childrenâs games - is told in a long series of vignettes, showing different members of Pepper Street going about their lives in various combinations, the whole while building up to a tragedy. Jackson lays false paths for the reader, who knows (as is described on the blurb) something terrible is going to happen, but not quite what. When it finally does happen, you realise it couldnât have been anything else all along.
The story itself - what there is of a story, as much of the book is simply observations, the reader eavesdropping on conversations, pacts and trysts along with childrenâs games - is told in a long series of vignettes, showing different members of Pepper Street going about their lives in various combinations, the whole while building up to a tragedy. Jackson lays false paths for the reader, who knows (as is described on the blurb) something terrible is going to happen, but not quite what. When it finally does happen, you realise it couldnât have been anything else all along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Ableism, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Racism, Mental illness, and Death
More...