susheela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
shelbylanglois'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? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Confinement and Death of parent
bloupibloupreads'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? Yes
5.0
I need everyone around me to read this and I will go on a propaganda about it.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Child abuse
librarianjess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Spoiler
which is operating as part of the Magdalene Laundries.I really loved so many things about this book, and for how short it is, it certainly packs a punch. It dealt with themes surrounding identity, morality, concepts of womanhood and familial life, as well as having a really eloquent writing style. I felt all of these themes and events intertwined really nicely. I particularly found Bill's inner torment with his own sense of identity as the child of an unmarried mother, his Catholic identity, his Irish identity and his sense of morality a really interesting mix of emotions and it was portrayed so well throughout.
I also really enjoyed this books exploration of the evil in society, but from the perspective of compliance, rather than being an explicit perpetrator. At first, I hadn't realised that this was even an element to the book, but it wasn't until I reflected on it for this review and read some of the Booker Prize information on this novella, that I understood. Compliance was specifically manifested in our female characters and coming to this realisation, it made me understand why they felt so proud of adhering to traditional styles of womanhood and having a selfish and unbothered attitude to Bill's concerns.
I think this could have been 5 stars for me, but I did feel a little let down by the end. After reading up on the events in the Church after reading, it made sense to me, but on a first read, it didn't feel definitive enough and I felt a little lost afterwards. However, this is an excellent read and I would highly recommend this to anyone!
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
gracescanlon'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? N/A
4.5
I only wish the book was longer! Its ending wasn’t disappointing, per se, but I would’ve been happy to read another 200 pages about Bill and the girls. That said, I also see the merit of the chosen ending, and did enjoy it.
Moderate: Confinement, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Classism, Abandonment, Terminal illness, and Vomit
zosiablue's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
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
musicalpopcorn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Vomit, Physical abuse, Confinement, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
megmahoney1'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Religious bigotry
sydapel'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
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Abortion