hkantola11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Abortion, Cursing, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, and Infertility
bookdragonenby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Spoiler
The book doesn't have a happy ending it is merely a content ending. With Mrs. Richardson finally understanding that her perfect bubble has popped, leaving Izzy out on her own.Moderate: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, and Classism
Minor: Abortion, Racism, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Infertility
ems_rxlibrary'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
4.5
Graphic: Abortion and Kidnapping
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Fire/Fire injury
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Death, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, Racism, Sexual content, Cursing, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Grief, Kidnapping, and Infertility
jeanny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
my only complaint is that i didn't feel strongly about any of the characters. all of them just came off as morally gray to me and it left me feeling conflicted, but it did lead to me having a more neutral outlook and the story. but i was genuinely amazed and taken away by this book. one of the best reads of 2021.
Graphic: Bullying, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Child abuse and Racism
katalina'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
3.75
Moderate: Death, Abortion, Cursing, Infertility, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Grief, Sexual content, Abandonment, Classism, and Miscarriage
naoewald's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment and Abortion
Minor: Cursing and Racism
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Abortion, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Infertility
Moderate: Car accident, Grief, Miscarriage, and Mental illness
Minor: Cursing
raelin'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Car accident, and Miscarriage
claudiamacpherson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
All of the contemporary fiction I have been reading lately has strong themes of motherhood and mother-daughter relationships, and it's really making me miss my mom (It doesn't help that this weekend is Mother's Day here in Spain)! I loved Ng's writing style and the flashbacks that gave more context and personal history of the characters throughout the book. I really liked Mia's story (and her character in general) while anything from Mrs. Robinson's point of view was painful to read (she's just obnoxious...I know that's the point).
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibes):
Spoiler
Bittersweet for sure, and a little ambiguous.Moderate: Abortion, Cursing, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia