vas_17's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Confinement, Death of parent, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Bullying, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Child death
rcsreads'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? It's complicated
2.25
The writing is fairly basic, and the characters felt flat. The phrase "he released a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding" was used, which is possibly the most cliche sentence in the history of literature!
It was fine, I read it in an afternoon and it brings awareness about Magdalen laundries in a way your granny could read without being shocked.
Graphic: Bullying, Trafficking, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Grief, and Physical abuse
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Minor: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Excrement, Vomit, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, and Cursing
rieviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The main theme is hinted at quite a lot but it is not really properly delved into
and I think that readers might be left a bit confused, especially if you know little (like me) about this aspect of Irish history.
I still think that it is a pleasant read, with a nice writing style and, above all, I quite liked how the main character was depicted and his narrative trajectory.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Confinement
Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Cancer, Bullying, Vomit, Suicide, Trafficking, and Excrement